Trail Specialist, Northeast (year-round, full-time)

~ The Trustees of Reservations is one of Massachusetts’ largest non-profits and the nation’s first conservation and preservation organization, and we believe in protecting the irreplaceable forever, for everyone. ~

The Trustees of Reservations is at a defining moment in its history. Over the past few years under the leadership of its President, Barbara Erickson, it has grown annual revenues from $24 million to $30 million and is closing a successful $26.4 million capital campaign to support, protect and enhance cultural resources in Massachusetts. Now, as part of its strategic plan it is looking to fully leverage its properties around the state as part of an overall strategy to engage more people, diversify revenues, build support and increase public awareness.

Position Overview

The Trustees maintains over 350 miles of trails and has a reputation for hard work and high standards. Focusing primarily on sustainable trail construction and maintenance projects, the Trail Specialist works as part of a statewide team to protect, restore, and enhance our trail resources and systems, the environment, and visitor experience through high quality trail work.

The Trail Specialist is highly knowledgeable on the use and maintenance of tools, basic trail work skills, and advanced trail building skills. The Trail Specialist is able to quickly assess trail conditions, spotting problems and identifying solutions. As a member of the trails team, you understand the importance of this resource and it's broad use across our many audiences. You understand your role in representing the organization and the importance of making our properties welcoming and accessible to visitors and volunteers.

The Trail Specialist requires true dedication to preservation and restoration of trails, desire to learn and develop various leadership and trail skills, a willingness and ability to work hard outdoors, demonstrate a commitment to safety, a proven ability to work collaboratively on project management, experience training and leading volunteer and seasonal staff, a self-motivated ability to work independently, and a strong aptitude for working with technology.

This position is currently based in North Andover, however because the Northeast Trail Specialist is responsible for trails throughout the Northeast region, the primary office location could be moved to another one of The Trustees' Northeast properties for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Performs both basic and advanced trail work to a high standard of quality.
• Performs heavy reconstructive trail work including, but not limited to: trail relocations, tread hardening, culvert installation, rock construction (waterbars and staircases), timber structures (bog bridges and waterbars), bridge construction, and new trail construction.
• Performs routine monitoring of trail systems and responds to work requests to clear blowdowns, clean drainages, and check trail conditions.
• Delivers on key trail and entrance project objectives within Trails Team Plans, and Property Business Plans.
• Supervises and trains seasonal staff ensuring quality work and a rewarding experience for all involved.
• Actively leads a regional trail volunteer training program.
• Assists in supervising contractor performance on trail and entrance projects.
• Performs baseline standard assessments, trail data collection, project scoping, and work order creation.
• Uses appropriate techniques and BMPs related to trail design, layout, building, maintenance, restoration, and preservation for sustainability and desired visitor experience.
• Works collaboratively as part of a team and with other staff across the organization.
• Uses and maintains vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment to the highest safety standards.
• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years or seasons of professional experience associated with the responsibilities of the position.
• Associates Degree in natural resources or related field, preferred.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Proven ability to work independently day to day, and collaboratively as a Trails Team and Trustees Stewardship Staff.
• Proven ability to complete, manage, and report on assigned projects and tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.
• Experience using a chainsaw and other small power tools including those specific to trail work.
• Knowledge of trail problems and work, techniques, BMPs, and tool use to address them.
• Volunteer Leadership/Training experience. Training curriculum development experience, preferred.
• UTV operation, transport of trailers, light machinery (small tractor, mini-excavator, chipper) operation and other power tool use or training, preferred.
• Commitment to natural resource protection.
• Basic computer skills in Outlook Calendar/E-Mail, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and an ability to learn and use Trustees software systems.
• Experience with MA permitting for wetland protection and rare species, preferred.
• Wilderness First Aid certification, preferred.
• MA Hoisting License 2A, preferred.
• MA Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license, preferred.
• Strong commitment to the mission of The Trustees.

Other:

• Desire to work do physically hard work in the outdoors.
• Dirt, mud, black flies, mosquitos, snow, rain, and adverse weather are all part of the challenges of working on trails throughout the year.
• Must be able to carry up to 50 pounds of gear and tools.
• Ability to travel across the state to work in remote locations.
• Valid driver’s license required for driving Trustees’ vehicles.
• Other licenses may be required to perform certain functions of the position.
• CORI check required.
• Experience training and supervising volunteer groups preferred.
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends may be required.

Additional Information

Organizational Relationships/Scope:

• Reports to Trails Team Manager; manages seasonal and volunteer staff.

Working Conditions:

• Variable weather conditions.
• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds of gear and tools required.

Compensation: The Trustees offers competitive compensation, as well as the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.