Seasonal Land Stewardship Technician (Maine)

Job Overview

Maine Seasonal Land Stewardship Technicians work in a small team to monitor and maintain the boundaries of a narrow strip of land conserved for the Appalachian Trail, called the A.T. corridor. Maintenance tasks include hiking on and off-trail to access boundary lines, navigating with GPS and with map and compass, clearing vegetation, repainting boundary marks, installing signs, locating survey markers, and recording data. Behind them they leave well-marked boundary lines to help neighbours, trail users, and volunteer corridor monitors identify these boundaries. Work trips are 4-8 days in length, meeting in Bangor to drive to sites where they camp near the vehicles or backpack to more remote sites. This is a great position for hikers and backpackers would like to spend summer and early fall exploring the woods surrounding the Maine A.T. Compensation is $19/hr, with housing, cell phone, and travel stipends.

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Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Be a contributing team member with the other Land Stewardship Technicians and the Land Stewardship Coordinator to accomplish set goals and objectives.
• Perform fieldwork monitoring and maintaining the A.T. corridor boundary lines: posting signs, painting trees, finding survey monuments, and clearing vegetation with hand tools.
• Use GPS and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping applications to enter detailed monitoring data.
• Maintain tools, supplies, equipment, and program vehicles.
• Follow protocols documenting and mitigating boundary encroachment violations on the A.T. corridor.
• Lead work trips with volunteer participants, providing training and ensuring that volunteers have a safe and satisfying experience.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, coursework towards a degree, or equivalent work experience in environmental science, recreation management, natural resources management, forestry, or a related field.
• Commitment to ATC management and resource protection efforts.
• Proven ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals, groups, and partners.
• Self-motivated person who works well independently and as part of a team.
• Strong hiking, camping, and backpacking experience.
• Experience working with volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.
• Basic knowledge of Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s cooperative management system preferred.
• Comfortable working multiple days outdoors in frequently adverse weather conditions.
• Leave No Trace Trainer or Master Educator desirable, awareness training is provided.
• Willingness to participate in additional required training which may include but not limited to: WFR/WFA, safe driving.
• Proficiency with using a map and compass and navigating off-trail.
• Strong working knowledge of computers and technology.
• Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, or other first aid certification is desirable.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Possible exposure to ticks and pests, extreme weather, and hazards typical of a backcountry environment.
• Regular use of a computer is required; Microsoft Office, Office 365, ESRI GIS, NPS database, ADP, NetSuite, RIMS, and Google applications are used.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, and access to a reliable personal vehicle.
• Regular, extensive travel and camping around Appalachian Trail locations.
• Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds.
• Normal 40-hour work week is four ten-hour days in the field with some camping near work locations, including backpacking in to work sites.
• Long days in the field and occasional weekend work may be required.
• 4 – 8 day primitive camping trips on the Maine A.T. and some trips elsewhere in New England, starting & ending each trip at the Bangor office.

Additional Information:

• Term Length: Approximately May 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025
• Hourly Rate: $19.00
• Housing Stipend: $500.00 (if requirements are met).
• Location/Region required to work from: Maine
• Benefits: 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours worked.