Regional Trail Technician

OPRHP Job Announcement 

Salary Range:                               $18.49/hour  

Negotiating Unit:                         CSEA 

Work Location:                             Saratoga Spa State Park, Regional Administration  

Region:                                          Saratoga Capital-District Region 

Position Overview:  

Regional Trail Technicians are full time, seasonal position(s) that assist the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) in the maintenance and of its extensive network of trails. This position will work throughout the Saratoga Capital Region of New York State Parks, which includes parks and historic sites across Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Washington, Schoharie, Greene, Columbia, and Essex Counties. The Saratoga Capital Region offers an exciting mix of history, culture, sports and performing arts all surrounded by the tranquil beauty of its forests, lakes, mountains, and farms. 

The primary focus of Regional Trail Technician(s) is to work as a team in the form of a regional trail crew on high priority trail projects that aim to restore, build, and improve recreational trails to sustainable standards through skilled hands-on construction. The successful candidate will be able to work and communicate effectively in a teamwork environment, able to perform trail work effectively and safely in a variety of outdoor weather conditions, demonstrate an attentiveness to detailed projects and possess critical thinking skills for problem solving project components. Trail Technicians work only during the field season (May-December) which is 100% outdoors. The position requires work on uneven and steep terrain, carrying and moving tools, materials, and equipment up to 50lbs. Project locations will vary around the Saratoga Capital region, with a mix of backcountry and front country work sites. 

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Perform a wide range of trail maintenance and construction tasks throughout the region in both a backcountry & front country setting. Projects include new trail construction, tread and drainage improvements, stone staircases and retaining walls, bog bridge and trail bridge construction, hazard tree removal, signage installation and general facilities maintenance
• Performing a variety of hands-on skilled work (carpentry, Dry stone masonry, erosion mitigation, trail stabilization, rigging, and compact equipment operation)  
• Delivering sustainable trail work improvements to projects being worked on
• Proper use and maintenance of tools/gear/equipment daily for projects
• Transporting tools, gear, equipment, and materials to & from work sites
• Performing various types of trail work for extended periods of time
• Hiking daily to and from work sites
• Educating the public when approached on the work being done 
• Submitting timecards accurately and punctually
• Driving a provided State or rental vehicle daily and maintaining a clean work vehicle
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and safe workplace
• Wearing the proper PPE during work tasks
• Working closely with the Regional Trails Specialist on regional trail project execution

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Must be at least 16 years old with working papers 
• Must be available for all trainings as required
• Must be able to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time outside and lift up to 50 lbs. or more
• Must demonstrate safe workplace practices and communicate effectively to co-workers & supervisor
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Skills/Experience: 

• Working knowledge of sustainable trail building techniques 
• Experience working on paid or volunteer trail crews 
• Experience working other physical labor jobs such as construction, landscaping, or general trades
• Experience with communication, time management and problem-solving 
• Experience with hand tools, power tools and basic tool maintenance
• Experience with rigging setups
• Pursuing or possessing a degree in Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Forestry Management, Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, or similar field is preferred but not required

Project Funding and Duration:  

This position is a 40 hour/week Monday–Friday, seasonal 6-month position with NYS OPRHP in the Parks and Recreation Aid 4 Title. Typical workday will be 8:00am – 4:30pm, with a 30min lunch. Start date of this position is May 30st, end date is December 11th. 

Benefits:  

This position has the option to join the NYS Employee’s Retirement System, the CSEA Union and is eligible for health insurance coverage.  

This position is eligible to receive certifications for the following but not limited to: 

• NYS Parks CPR/First Aid
• NYS Parks Respirator Fit Test & Use Training
• NYS Parks UTV Safety Operators Training
• NYS Parks Tractor Safety Operators Training