Lead Summit Steward

Service Period: May 20 -November 8, 2024

Friends of Acadia (FOA) is hiring a Lead Summit Steward to assist the Program Coordinator with daily team functions and organizational assistance. 

FOA is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment for visitors, volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

The Summit Stewards are an interdisciplinary team that work alongside Acadia National Park staff to improve the visitor experience and reduce visitor impacts in the park. Summit Stewards traverse the trails of Acadia promoting Leave No Trace stewardship, interpreting the natural and cultural resources, and performing trail maintenance to preserve trail sustainability. Summit Stewards spend 2 days per week on Cadillac Mountain’s trails and summit and 3 days per week on trails and summits throughout Acadia. Summit Stewards work under Acadia National Park (ANP) staff and therefore must comply with National Park Service volunteer agreements and standards. The Lead Summit Steward performs Summit Steward duties in conjunction with the Lead* duties, all of which are listed below.

Job duties:

Program organization* (40% of work duties)

• Oversee Summit Stewards’ daily operations on the coordinator’s days off.*
• Develop resource education and trail work plans for inclement weather with the coordinator.*
• Assist with training coordination and assess efficacy of trainings.*
• Shadow the team in the field to provide meaningful feedback.*
• Maintain organization of office materials and gear inventory throughout season.*
• Ensure quality control of program statistics through weekly verification of patrol logs.*
• Document and provide photos of staff in field.*
• Assists coordinator with end-of-season reporting and presentation.
• Assists with special events: Take Pride in Acadia Day, FOA Annual Meeting and Benefit, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Interpretation and Education (30% of work duties)

• Engages, educates, and assists visitors on Acadia’s trails and summits by: teaching Leave No Trace principles; sharing the cultural and natural history of ANP through interpretive techniques; offering trail guidance, regulatory information, first aid, water, maps, and information about FOA and ANP.
• Assist with development of new interpretative materials for program, as needed.*
• Communicates well and works effectively with park visitors, members of the Summit Stewards team, and Friends of Acadia (FOA) and Acadia National Park (ANP) staff while assisting with all assigned job duties.

Trails Maintenance (15% of work duties)

• Builds rock cairns and destroys misleading rock stacks (REQUIRES HEAVY LIFTING) and performs small-scale trail maintenance such as: blocking social paths, pruning, picking up trash, installing signs, etc.

Resource Management & Visitor Protection (15% of work duties)

• Staffs Cadillac Mountain summit during midday and sunset once each per week, including times of inclement weather, to perform all duties with an added component of traffic monitoring.
• May conduct or distribute surveys for visitor use monitoring and research projects.
• May be called upon to provide first aid and assist with ANP search and rescue operations.

Desired Qualifications:

• One season providing informal interpretation or education in outdoor spaces.
• A strong attention to detail while working in an efficient and organized fashion.
• Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor (formerly known as Trainer) or the dedication to minimizing recreational impacts through following the Leave No Trace Principles.
• Passion for the preservation of National Parks and public lands, especially Acadia National Park.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be available for the entire season.
• Applicant should be reliable, prepared for field work daily, and capable of managing their daily schedule, as well as multiple schedules during Lead days.
• Flexibility to adapt to quickly changing work demands and schedules.
• Possess strong work ethic and ability to work on one’s own and as a team.
• Motivation to engage and inspire visitors daily and excellent communication skills.
• Hiking or outdoor experience. Must be capable of hiking up to 10 miles per day wearing a pack, working in inclement weather and on steep terrain, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Familiarity with word processing and data entry.
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable vehicle for driving to job sites. Applicants will be expected to use their own automobiles and will be reimbursed for mileage beyond their daily commute to park headquarters.
• Must be able to attend the Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor course in June which may include one night of camping.
• Applicants will be required to pass a background check.

Uniforms/Equipment: Summit Stewards maintain appearances consistent with Acadia National Park’s uniform and grooming standards. Uniform shirts, rain jacket, puffy jacket, hat, safety-toe boots, first aid kit, backpack, and personal protective equipment are provided. A stipend will be provided for purchasing pants or shorts that meet uniform standards.

Hours: 40 hrs/wk including holidays and weekends. Shifts are regularly from 8 am – 4:30 pm, with one sunset shift (late shift) per week. Employees will have 2 consecutive days off per week. Unpaid days off can be scheduled with your supervisor. 

Housing: Not provided; applicants will be expected to find their own housing in the area.

Work Environment: Most work is performed outside in all weather conditions. Office work based at ANP’s headquarters in Bar Harbor.