Recreation Technician (May-Aug)

Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine

Compensation and Hours: $17.85/hour (40 hours/week)

Short Season: One position, May 6 – September 1, 2023 (16 weeks)

Application deadline: Monday 02/12/2024, apply through the portal: https://friendsofacadia.bamboohr.com/careers/26

Friends of Acadia is accepting applications for the seasonal Recreation Technician program for the 2024 season. The “Rec Techs” will assist Acadia National Park staff in better understanding visitor use management and recreation-related impacts on the landscape. The Recreation Technician is funded by Friends of Acadia and works closely with Acadia National Park’s Social Scientist, and is managed by Friends of Acadia’s Recreation Technician Lead.

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

Duties for 16-week Recreation Technician:

• Assist with communication and taking part in various research projects from outside researchers, internal research, and other Citizen Science projects;
• Conduct stationary counts of visitors for long periods (1 – 6 hours);
• Writes an end-of season evaluation of work experience with FOA and ANP;
• Gives informal presentations about projects to ANP and FOA staff, donors, and the public;
• Working on a short research project based on park needs;
• Distribute survey instruments and administer face-to-face visitor questionnaires for routine monitoring and research projects, and observing visitor behavior;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to use basic computer software—word processing, database, and spreadsheets. Practical experience in data collection and record-keeping in field and office environments.

Physical demands: The workload is approximately 50% field-based and 50% office. Field (50%): The fieldwork consists of sitting for long stretches, attending to routine tasks in an open-environment setting, carrying research equipment, hiking, walking, standing, and bending over daily. The employee may be involved in projects that require lifting and carrying a backpack up to 50 pounds, hiking up to 10 miles per day on steep and uneven terrain with elevation of up to 1,500 feet, and biking 15 miles. Office (50%): The work consists of sitting in an open office environment, working with computers for long periods—extended communication over email and telephone with researcher groups.

Work Environment: The fieldwork may involve moderate risks or discomfort. The outdoor conditions will be varied; there may be inclement weather and sometimes greater than 90 degrees and less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Employees are expected to communicate via park radios and be flexible to adapt to quickly changing work demands and schedules.

Requirements: U.S. Citizenship required. Must pass a federal background check, A valid Driver’s License is needed, and must have reliable transportation for travel to/from work. Employees must adhere to Acadia National Park’s and Friends of Acadia’s uniform and grooming standards.

Period of Service: Short Season will be Monday, May 6th – Tuesday, September 3rd , 2024, 40 hours/week (16 weeks). Applicants must be available for the entire season. Successful applicants must attend Acadia National Park Leave No Trace training, including one camping night. Days off: 2 consecutive days off per week to be arranged. Hours will vary. Some weekend and holiday work are expected. Some unpaid days off can be scheduled with the Recreation Technician Lead.

Wages: $17.85/hr. Pay period: Every two weeks. Housing: Applicants will be expected to find their own housing on or near Mount Desert Island. Uniforms/Equipment: Uniform shirts, jacket layers, boots, first aid kits, gloves, backpack, and other personal protective equipment provided. Friends of Acadia provides a uniform pants or shorts stipend that meets uniform standards.

Rolling application until position filled or application deadline Monday, February 12th, 2024

Friends of Acadia is an equal opportunity employer. Founded in 1986, the organization’s mission is to preserve, protect, and promote stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and the surrounding community for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.

It is the policy of FOA to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees in compliance with all applicable laws. This policy applies in all aspects of the employment relationship including (but not limited to) recruiting, selection, placement, supervision, working conditions, compensation, training, promotion, and termination. 

FOA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, reproductive health decision-making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, in connection with any aspect of employment at FOA.