Trail Assessment Specialist

The Green Mountain Club is hiring a Trail Assessment Specialist for the 2026 field season. This position will be responsible for several season-long assessment projects including alpine vegetation photomonitoring on Mt. Mansfield, a full tread evaluation of the Long Trail north of Maine Junction, and updates to GMC’s overnight site photo inventory. When not working on independent assessments, the Trail Assessment Specialist will provide extra support to the GMC caretaker and volunteer programs. This is a highly independent position that requires the ability to juggle multiple long-term projects while retaining the flexibility to shuffle priorities to meet programmatic demands.

2026 Position Dates:

May 25 – October 15. Some start and end date flexibility may be possible.

Schedule:

40 hours per week. The employee has considerable flexibility to set their own schedule during independent assessments, while projects that overlap with the caretaker and/or volunteer programs require a more specific schedule that may sometimes include weekends. Scheduling requirements will be communicated well in advance.

Compensation:

$800-925/week depending on experience, plus free communal housing.

Benefits:

Housing provided, Wilderness First Aid class included with training, retirement (403b) employer matching, eligible for pro deal gear discounts.

Trail Assessment Specialist Responsibilities:

• Complete a full GIS-based tread assessment on the Long Trail from Maine Junction to the Canadian border.
• Manage the photomonitoring project along the Mansfield ridgeline, adhering to rigorous scientific protocols to ensure a high quality dataset.
• Document conditions at Long Trail shelters and overnight sites through photography and written reports.
• Perform routine maintenance on trails, shelters, and privies as necessary.
• Assist with educational outreach at high-traffic locations on the Long Trail.
• Provide logistical support as needed to the Volunteer Long Trail Patrol when in season.
• Occasionally lead or provide support for volunteer service trips.
• Carry first aid kit and sufficient supplies to travel safely in the backcountry at all times.
• Camp in the backcountry for up to four nights at a time when required by project parameters.

Trail Assessment Specialist Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License required. Familiarity and comfort with operating 4×4 vehicles on minimally maintained access roads preferred.
• Ability to work a full day outdoors in a variety of adverse environmental conditions including heat, cold, bugs, and rain.
• Extensive experience in hiking trail construction and/or maintenance, ideally in the northeastern United States. At least one season of trail construction experience preferred.
• Ability to recognize a wide variety of trail tread deficiencies and prescribe sustainable rehabilitation solutions.
• Familiarity with trail building techniques and strategies suitable for the terrain, soil, and climate conditions in Vermont.
• Familiarity with quadrat sampling or other ecological surveying methods preferred.
• Strong backcountry living skills including cooking and waste management.
• Friendly and professional attitude toward coworkers, volunteers, agency partners, and the hiking public.
• Must be certified in Wilderness First Aid or higher (training provided free of charge if necessary).
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications.
• Basic knowledge of the Long Trail / Appalachian Trail system preferred.
• Familiarity with GIS applications strongly preferred.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds at a time.
• Ability to be on foot for prolonged periods of time, including hiking several miles with a heavy pack.
• Ability to perform difficult manual labor as a regular part of the workday.