Conservation Corps - Trail Stewardship Crew Member

1. Member
   Host Site

Member
Host Site Name: North Country Trail Association

Member
Host Site Location: New York State – Adirondack Park/West Canada Lake
Wilderness

Member
Host Site Supervisor Contact Information:

          Name: Will Brazill

          Title: Regional Trail Coordinator

          Phone: 716-268-1140

          Email: wbrazill@northcountrytrail.org

1. Member
   Position Information

Member
Position Title: Trail Stewardship Crew Member

Purpose
of the Program: Provide hands-on stewardship and maintenance of the North
Country National Scenic Trail in the Adirondack Park through multi-day
backcountry trail maintenance assignments. Members will clear trail
corridors, maintain existing drainage features, and address minor trail
maintenance needs on the Brooktrout Lake and French Louis trails using
low-impact hand tools and techniques.

Community
Needs that the Program Serves: The program addresses ongoing trail
maintenance needs on the North Country National Scenic Trail within the West
Canada Lake Wilderness. Regular trail maintenance helps keep the trail safe,
sustainable, and enjoyable for hikers while reducing deferred maintenance.
Because portions of the trail are located in remote backcountry, the project
provides an opportunity to efficiently accomplish maintenance work through
multi-day field assignments while minimizing repeated travel to and from the
work area.

Values
and Standards of the Program: The program emphasizes safe and responsible
stewardship of public lands, low-impact trail maintenance, teamwork, respect
for wilderness resources, Leave No Trace principles, and consideration for
trail users and surrounding natural resources. Members are expected to work
cooperatively, follow established safety procedures, use tools appropriately,
and complete assigned work in accordance with land-manager and NCTA
standards.

Member
Duties and Responsibilities:

·      
Participate
in multi-day backcountry trail maintenance assignments within the West Canada
Lake Wilderness.

·      
Hike
to and from the remote work locations while carrying personal camping
equipment, food, water, and required work equipment.

·      
Establish
and maintain appropriate backcountry camps in accordance with applicable
wilderness regulations and land-manager requirements.

·      
Prepare
for and safely work in variable late-season weather conditions, including
cold temperatures, rain, snow, and wet or muddy trail conditions.

·      
Practice
appropriate backcountry sanitation, food storage, campsite management, and
Leave No Trace principles.

·      
Maintain
personal and crew safety while working and camping in a remote wilderness
setting.

·      
Clear
vegetation encroaching on established trail corridor using hand loppers and
handsaws.

·      
Remove
small woody vegetation and minor blowdown that obstructs or restricts the
trail corridor.

·      
Clean
and maintain existing trail drainage features using hazel hoes, shovels, and
other appropriate hand tools.

·      
Remove
leaves, sediment, soil, and other accumulated material from drainage features
to restore proper water flow.

·      
Address
minor drainage and tread issues using appropriate low-impact trail
maintenance techniques.

·      
Maintain
a consistent, walkable trail corridor while minimizing disturbance to
surrounding vegetation and soils.

·      
Safely
transport and use hand tools while working in remote and uneven terrain.

·      
Identify
significant trail hazards, erosion problems, structural deficiencies, or
other maintenance needs that are beyond the scope of assigned work and report
them to the NCTA supervisor

·      
Follow
all applicable safety procedures, wilderness regulations, land-manager
requirements, and NCTA trail-maintenance standards.

·      
Work
cooperatively as part of a trail stewardship crew and assist with other
related trail maintenance activities as assigned.

Marginal Duties:

• Report any housing or vehicle concerns to NCTA/SCA
• Ensure time logs and outputs are being logged accurately and on time

How
the Member’s Role Aligns with the Organization: The North Country Trail
Association works with public land managers, volunteers, and partners to
develop, protect, maintain, and promote the North Country National Scenic
Trail. This positions directly supports that mission by providing hands-on
stewardship of existing trail segments and helping address routine
maintenance needs that are necessary to keep the trail sustainable and
accessible to the public.

Performance
Goals for the Member:

          Goal 1: Complete assigned trail
corridor clearing on the Brooktrout Lake and French Louis trails, maintaining
an appropriate and walkable trail corridor while minimizing impacts to
surrounding vegetation.

          Goal 2: Complete assigned drainage/maintenance
work using hand tools and low-impact techniques to improve water management
and reduce minor erosion and drainage-related trail problems.

          Goal 3: Successfully participate in
multi-day backcountry trail maintenance assignments while demonstrating safe
tool use, appropriate wilderness camping practices, Leave No Trace
principles, effective crew communication, and sound judgement in remote field
conditions.

1. Member
   Qualifications:

List
any specific qualifications for member: Ability to perform physically
demanding outdoor work for extended periods and hike while carrying a
backpack and personal camping equipment. Willingness and ability to
participate in multi-day backcountry assignments, including overnight camping
in remote wilderness settings. Ability to work safely in variable late-season
weather conditions. Prior backpacking or trail maintenance experience is
preferred but not required.

Skills/Knowledge/Training
Necessary to be a successful Member in this position:

Skills:
Ability to work effectively as part of a crew; willingness to perform
physically demanding outdoor work; ability to hike and carry equipment over
uneven and remote terrain; ability to follow directions and established
safety procedures; good communication and problem-solving skills; and
willingness to learn and safely use hand tools.

Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of outdoor recreation, conservation, trail stewardship,
backpacking, or natural resource management is beneficial but not required.

Training:
Training will be provided in the safe use of loppers, handsaws, hazel hoes,
shovels, and other hand tools; trail corridor clearing; drainage maintenance;
wilderness work practices; hazard identification; backcountry camping and Leave
No Trace principles; cold-weather field preparedness; crew communication; and
appropriate response to trail conditions or hazards beyond the scope of
assigned work.

1. Term
   of Service

Position
Start Date: 10/28/2026

Position
End Date: 11/20/2026

Schedule
(Example: M-F 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM): Full-time field service schedule as
established by SCA and NCTA, with project work occurring primarily during
October and November. Assignments may consist of multi-day backcountry field
rotations requirement overnight camping in the West Canada Lake Wilderness.
Daily work will occur during daylight hours and will be dependent on weather,
trail conditions, daylight hours, and other field conditions.

Describe
orientation process and training for member on prohibited and
unallowable activities: Member will receive orientation from SCA and NCTA
covering prohibited and unallowable activities, organizational policies, workplace
expectations, service requirements, applicable land-manager regulations,
wilderness ethics, backcountry safety, camping practices, tool safety, and
emergency procedures.

Describe
professional, personal, or service-related member development activities
and training to be provided for member: Members will receive hands-on
professional development in trail stewardship, trail corridor clearing,
drainage maintenance, safe use of hand tools, backcountry camping and field
safety, Leave No Trace principles, hazard identification, crew communication,
and low-impact natural resource stewardship. Members will gain practical experience
working with a nonprofit trail organization and public land management
partners in a remote wilderness environment.

1. Benefits

Amount
of Living Allowance member will receive: $16.00/hour

1. Evaluating
   and Reporting

Dates
member will be evaluated:      

Reporting
Requirements (Please Describe): Member will maintain accurate timesheets and
complete required SCA service documentation. Member will communicate
regularly with the NCTA host-site supervisor regarding work completed, field
conditions, safety concerns, and additional maintenance needs identified
during service. Any required SCA monthly and quarterly reports will be
completed according to SCA program requirements.

• Timesheets submitted Weekly

• Monthly Data Reports: Member will
  provide required monthly service and accomplishment information to SCA
  and NCTA, including service hours, projects activities, and work
  completed.

• Quarterly Narrative Reports: Member
  will complete required quarterly narrative reporting in accordance with
  SCA program requirements.