What are the responsibilities and job description for the Trail Crew Manager position at Dartmouth College?
Position Purpose
The Dartmouth Outing Club’s Trail Crew maintains and improves the Dartmouth Outing Club’s seventy-five-mile trail network including fifty-three miles of the Appalachian Trail which runs from the Dartmouth Campus in Hanover to Mount Moosilauke. As part of its long-term stewardship of these lands, the Outing Club hires a trail crew to repair trail erosion, and undertake light construction projects on shelters, privies, and bog bridges. Trail crew is supported by the Outdoor Programs Office at Dartmouth College.
Crew Managers will be responsible for overseeing all crew operations including supporting three five person crews working on DOC trails at backcountry locations. Duties include organizing pre and post season logistics, teaching skills, leading crews in the field, making inventories of trail conditions, ensuring crews are documenting and reporting work appropriately, meeting deadlines, and submitting reports. The Crew Manager will supervise crew members in trail design, construction, reconstruction, maintenance and backcountry camping. Trail work will involve stone steps, waterbars, other erosion control structures, and construction of back country privies. The Crew Manager will respond to emergencies. CPR/First aid training will be provided along with skills training in trail work. The Crew Manager will meet with the Outdoor Programs office weekly to report progress and receive support where needed. Additional technical training will be offered where needed
All of Dartmouth Outing Club’s Trail Crew positions require compliance with a COVID-19 safety plan. On days off all crew must adhere to NH state Covid-19 guidelines as well as any additional guidelines set out by Dartmouth College. In addition, all crew members will undergo regular Covid-19 surveillance testing and will need to provide a negative test immediately prior to beginning work. Sorry, no pets allowed.
Rate of Pay $13.50/hour. Room and board provided
Required Qualifications
- Experience performing trail work on New England trails
- Backcountry backpacking, camping and cooking experience including LNT principles
- Good health, physical fitness and able to hike long distances in mountain terrain
- Ability to lift 50 pounds.
- Leadership skills – can provide oversight to trail crews at multiple sites, model strong work ethic, motivate others, maintain a safe and enjoyable work environment under challenging conditions, and monitor progress, quality and quantity of trail work
- Strong organization and record keeping skills necessary to report on work completed, crew hours, and financials.
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record
- Able to work efficiently without direct supervision
- First aid and CPR or willingness to be certified
Preferred Qualifications
- One or more seasons of trail crew at any organization
- Carpentry experience
- Prior successful outdoor leadership experience
- Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder or similar
- Familiarity with backcountry mapping apps– will train if necessary
- Passion for supporting people to succeed in a challenging environment.
- Experience with writing reports
- Please note that required minimum qualifications:
- Should not be so restrictive in that they exclude candidates who might reasonably have the ability to do the job
- Should not present artificial barriers to employment
- Need to be practical in the sense that they are obtainable in the general labor market
- Should address Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and the “soft skills” (i.e., characteristics, values, and work ethics) required at the time of hire. KSAs that can be obtained on the job should not be factored into the required minimum qualifications
- Need to be tied directly to the key accountabilities
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Employment Category
Temporary Full Time
Department Contact for Cover Letter
Willow Nilsen, Outdoor Programs Office Program Coordinator
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Special Instructions to Applicants
All Dartmouth College employees, whether working on-site or remotely, are required to be up to date with vaccination against COVID-19 (or to have received an approved exemption from vaccination through the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity). Please visit https://dartgo.org/vaxpolicy for details. Compliance with this requirement is a condition of employment. Failure to meet this condition of employment may result in Dartmouth in its sole discretion delaying your start date or rescinding its offer of employment.
Key Accountabilities
Project Management: 20%
- Manages daily operation of multiple crews in the field including tracking progress of grant funded trail projects including weekly data collection, documentation of progress, and report writing, and budget oversight
- Preps weekly meeting agenda for crew and the Outdoor Programs Office,
- Coordinates travel and site logistics
- Creates weekly schedule for crew members
- Ensures a safe and healthy environment for crew members.
- Ensure work is in compliance with Appalachian Trail Conservancy standards for trail construction and safety. This includes visiting multiple work sites each week and offering technical advising, resources, and support.
- Maintains an inventory of tools and supplies
Trail Maintenance: 60%
Supports crew in the field in hands on trial design and construction not limited to: rock steps, water bars, erosion control structures, bog bridges, and backcountry privy and shelter maintenance and construction.
Training: 10%
Crew leader will offer support in teaching technical skills of trail building, Leave No Trace camping, outdoor skills, stewardship of land, environment, and community.
Logistics: 5%
Ensures supplies and materials for crew and projects are purchased and arrive at sites in a timely manner.
Diversity, equity, inclusion: 5%
Takes active steps to build community to ensure a physically, socially and emotionally safe and welcoming space for all crew members in the field and at base camp.
Performs other duties as required.
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Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
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