Senior Trail Technician

Since building Taft Lodge in 1920, GMC staff and volunteers have been dedicated to undertaking complicated construction projects in backcountry environments.  The work of building dozens of overnight shelters, tenting areas, privies, and bridges along the Long Trail System is a task fitted to a person with a combination of high technical skill, creative problem solving, and enthusiasm for backcountry living.  As climate and human-use patterns bring heavier impacts to the trail tread, the work of complex trail projects has increased in importance, as demonstrated by the GMC’s three-year reconstruction of the Burrows Trail on Camels Hump. The GMC is building a cohort of Senior Trail Technicians who can tackle these unique and challenging projects.

Projects will include a mix of privy construction, shelter construction & repair, bridge construction, chainsaw work, training and supporting GMC Trail Crews in the use of aerial rigging, leading machine-based trail work, and supporting special projects, such as helicopter airlifts. Work will take place in a wide variety of environments ranging from pre-fabrication of materials in the GMC’s headquarters shop to conducting projects in federal Wilderness Areas, where only hand tools may be used.

These positions will be filled by the highest skilled candidates in all areas described.  The position is designed to provide staff the maximum amount of flexibility in managing work/life balance while also offering an opportunity for long-term seasonal employment.  Individuals in this position are expected to be able to handle project management and logistics in working with peers AND overseeing technical skill work for entry level trail crews as assigned.

Senior Trail Technicians will typically be assigned to a complex project as their main duty base in any given week.  Most projects will be multi-week to full season in length.  While assigned to a significant project, Senior Trail Technicians will be expected to support other crews in the field regularly on an as-needed basis. This could include technical skill training and support, operating machinery on a project being completed by a trail crew, guiding volunteers or GMC caretakers on a small project, or supporting crews from other organizations working on the Long Trail System. All work will be coordinated with GMC’s Project Coordinator and Field Director.

2025 Position Dates:
May 1 – November 21
Commitment to full season required. Some start and date flexibility may be possible.

Schedule: 40 hours per week (Monday through Thursday while working solo or with other techs, Monday through Friday while working with trail crews or volunteers).
Compensation: Starting at $875-950/week depending on experience, plus free communal housing.
Benefits: Housing provided, Wilderness First Aid training provided, retirement (403b) employer matching, eligible for pro deal gear discounts.

Senior Trail Technician Responsibilities: 

• Working with fellow technicians and Project Coordinator, build and repair structures including shelters, privies, and bridges using hand and power tools.
• Chainsaw use for hazard tree management and trail projects (i.e. native puncheon). (Chainsaw training to be provided by GMC as needed.)
• Communicate regularly with Project Coordinator regarding project planning, materials budget, and work progress.
• Sustain a working and well-maintained tool cache. Coordinate tool acquisition and maintenance needs with field leadership team.
• Lead groups of volunteers and/or trail crews on simple construction projects such as a moldering privy build. Monitor progress, delegate tasks, and provide technical support for less experienced team members. (No more than 10-20% of overall workload.)
• Assist with pack in of materials and tools, including coordination of volunteer groups.
• Operate machinery including 4WD truck, trailer, and UTV to transport materials on minimally maintained backcountry access roads.
• Operate trail construction equipment including but not limited to mini-excavator, tracked hauler, mechanized wheelbarrows, & mini skid steer.
• Camp in the backcountry for up to 4 nights at a time when required by project parameters.
• Act as GMC onsite liaison for agency partners including the U.S. Forest Service and the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation.
• Gain expertise in rigging and aerial rigging for backcountry construction.

Senior Trail Technician Qualifications: 

• Ability to work a full day outdoors in a variety of adverse environmental conditions including heat, cold, bugs, and rain.
• Experience with hand tools and basic power tools. Previous carpentry experience preferred.
• Experience with trail construction techniques preferred.
• Outdoor leadership experience preferred.
• Strong backcountry living skills including cooking and waste management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well within a small group.
• Friendly and professional attitude toward coworkers, agency partners, and the hiking public.
• Must have valid Driver’s License. Ability to operate trailers and off-road vehicles preferred (training provided as necessary).
• Must be certified in Wilderness First Aid or higher (training provided free of charge if necessary).
• Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
  • Ability to be on foot for prolonged periods of time, including hiking several miles with a heavy pack.