Trail Crew Member

Green Mountain Club Trail Crews have been building and maintaining stretches of the Long Trail System and Appalachian Trail since 1931. Vermont’s hiking trails can be rugged, wet, and rocky, and our professional crews take on the trails’ biggest, most technical, and most challenging projects!

GMC’s Trail Crews work on heavily damaged sections of trail throughout Vermont that require intensive repair or rebuilding. Projects are almost entirely backcountry based, and most involve technical stone work. Our crews build staircases, turnpike, bridges, waterbars, and stepping stones to name just a few examples. Green Mountain Club trail crews work hard, have fun, and forge a strong community. We seek to create a more welcoming trail crew culture unconstrained by tradition.

Crews consist of a Crew Lead, an Assistant Lead, and approximately three Crew Members. Crews work Monday through Friday in the field in all weather. Monday through Thursday nights crews camp near their work sites and share a communal camp kitchen, as well as camp chores. Crew members provide their own personal camping gear and food. The GMC provides transportation to the work site, personal protective equipment, tools, and some group equipment (stove, cookware, water treatment, first aid supplies). Communal day-off housing is available in Waterbury Center or Danby, VT based on project locations.

Locations:

Trail crews work all over the Vermont Long Trail, Appalachian Trail, and side trails. Crews may camp out for a single week on short projects, then return to another campsite many times on multi-week projects.

2024 Position Dates:
Commitment to full season preferred.
Full season: May 16 – October 11
Summer: May 16 – August 9
Fall: August 8 – October 11

Schedule: Monday – Friday, camping at work site Monday – Thursday nights.
Compensation: $635/week, plus housing.
Benefits: Housing provided, Wilderness First Aid class provided, retirement (403b) employer matching, eligible for pro deal gear discounts.

Crew Member Responsibilities:

• Complete trail maintenance and construction projects on hiking trails throughout Vermont as part of a 4- to 5-person crew.
• Use trail tools in accordance with GMC safety protocol and comply with personal protective equipment requirements at all times.
• Perform weekly cleaning and maintenance of trail tools and camp gear.
• Share equal responsibilities in camp duties such as cooking, cleaning, and food storage.
• Maintain high standards of work in a range of weather conditions, including adverse conditions.
• Work in a professional and respectful manner with crew leader and fellow crew members.
• Utilize Leave No Trace practices while working and in camp.
• Serve as a backcountry representative of the GMC in interactions with the public as well as through behavior and backcountry practices.
• Assist with Monday morning group cleaning of staff housing.

Crew Member Qualifications

• Trail building and maintenance skills preferred (training provided)
• Experience with hand tools and basic power tools
• Ability to perform difficult manual labor and to carry heavy loads as a regular part of the workday
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well as a member of a small group
• Strong backcountry living skills
• Experience working in small groups on focused projects
• Friendly and professional attitude towards hiking public
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace principles preferred (training provided)
• Wilderness First Aid Certification (class available free-of-charge during orientation)
• 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 and to carry heavy loads as a regular part of the workday