Location: Based in Boston, MA with field work across Eastern MA-Bay Circuit Trail
Supervision: Christine Viola Bay Circuit Trail Volunteer Programs Supervisor
Job Dates: June 1, 2020 – August 14, 2020
Hiring Timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, starting in January. Interviews are held beginning in February.

Summary Description: AMC’s Bay Circuit Trail (BCT) Crew Leader is a three-month, seasonal field staff position with the AMC’s Trails Department, averaging 40-50 hours/week. AMC is hiring two Crew Leaders to work as a team leading teen and adult volunteers in trail work projects.

The Crew Leader position is an excellent development opportunity for individuals who are interested conservation and working hard in the outdoors with energetic volunteers, as well as youth. AMC’s BCT volunteer programs make trails and natural places more accessible and enjoyable for millions of people in the suburban/urban communities around Boston. Prior trail work experience is not required, as Crew Leaders receive substantial mentorship and training in trail work skills and leadership. Leaders work together to teach volunteer participants trail maintenance and construction, such as installing drainages, building bog bridges/boardwalks, and blazing and standardizing trails. Our priority is leading volunteers through an experience that is challenging, fun, and positive. With all groups, Leaders emphasize safety, maintain a high level of morale and work standards, and facilitate proper outdoor skills associated with low impact methods.

The AMC is a member of the 21 Century Conservation Corps and is a proud partner of The Corps Network. The Corps Network is the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps. The AMC is one of 130 Corps across the country that provides young adults and veterans the opportunity to serve our country through projects on public lands and in rural and urban communities.

Work schedules are variable, though most weeks are Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week with evenings free and occasional weekend work required. Crew leaders will work one weeklong overnight teen trail crews based at a frontcountry campground with showers and a swimming pond (Sun-Fri, 50-hour work week). Crew Leaders are responsible for volunteer supervision in the field at all times.

Starting in July, for 3 days a week, crew leaders will be leading a youth crew of 6-8 high school aged youth from the City of Boston on various trail projects along the BCT. The crews meet and depart from our office in Charlestown. On days without scheduled volunteer day programs, crew leaders perform independent trail monitoring and basic maintenance, or continue ongoing project work or maintaining the gear shed in Sudbury.

Crew Leaders are responsible for securing his/her own housing, meals (except when leading overnight crew), and reliable transportation for travel to daily meetup locations, ideally a personal vehicle. Work mileage in personal vehicles is reimbursed. Crew Leaders will be required to meet at the office at 6 Spice Street, Charlestown, which is accessible by public transportation, to drive a 15-passenger van to and from the work site with the youth for 3 days a week from July into August.

Primary Responsibilities:
– Supervise and train a Boston based high school aged trail crew for 3 days a week using the AMC van to pick them up from a Charlestown office and return them at the end of the day.
– Help prepare the youth crew for their futures by organizing and conducting workshop in interview skills, resume building, and other job readiness skills.
– Communicate decisions and group management techniques with co-Leader.
– Foster a spirit of cooperation, safety, teamwork, responsible stewardship, and fun.
– Communicate regularly with Trails Program Supervisor and Projects Coordinator.
– Assist other BCT staff with projects on days when youth crew is not running.
– Assist with regular maintenance of tools and gear.
– Attend 2-week summer Crew Leader training in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Qualifications & Experience:
– Desire to learn and develop skills relating to leadership and sustainable trail work, with the intent to perform trail work skills independently and teach unskilled volunteers.
– Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from diverse backgrounds.
– Ability to motivate others and clearly communicate under challenging conditions.
– Physically able to travel safely on foot in all weather conditions on unimproved trails carrying up to 40 lbs. of gear.
– Commitment to natural resource protection and a passion for volunteerism.
– Experience or desire to work with teenage youth.
– Must be at least 18 years of age (21+ years of age preferred) and hold a valid driver’s license.
– Must have a personal vehicle to be used occasionally to meet at work site on days without crews. Mileage to be reimbursed by AMC.
– Criminal and driving record check will be performed and employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.​

Benefits:
– AMC Membership
– 30% Staff discount on AMC retail products
– 4 Free Nights per year at AMC Huts, Lodges, and other facilities while employed
– Ability to obtain Wilderness First Aid Certification
– Opportunity to work outdoors
– Opportunity to gain trail work and conservation experience