Trail Construction & Maintenance Internship

~ The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people to the land in order to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces in Connecticut for future generations. ~

With a Staff of experienced conservation professionals and a Board of Directors who strongly support CFPA's mission and values, CFPA delivers programs on Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, Environmental Education, Land Conservation, and Public Policy.

Our headquarters is located at the James L. Goodwin Forest & Park Center in the Rockfall section of Middlefield.

Position Overview

Love working outside? Want to gain real hands-on experience in the trail conservation and outdoor recreation fields? Join our Summer Trail Crew as a Trail Construction & Maintenance Intern and help improve Connecticut’s 825-mile Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System!

Responsibilities

CFPA trail interns work to maintain, build and restore CFPA’s hiking trails across Connecticut. Interns will conduct needed trail restoration and improvements in a variety of environments. Duties include:

• Assist staff and volunteer trail managers with the construction of hiking trails and trail structures.
• Perform routine maintenance duties such as brushing trails, blazing, tread repair and clearing drainage structures.
• Work in the field, sometimes very remotely, as part of a tight-knit team.
• Camp in remote regions to undertake larger, multi-day trail improvement projects in state forests, parks, and private conservation lands.
• Work with existing trail volunteer trail teams such as chainsaw or rock crews to tackle larger trail improvement projects.
• Layout and design new trails or major relocations and flag sustainable trail routes.
• Perform tool and equipment maintenance as needed.

Qualifications

The most important qualifications for interns is a positive attitude, an eagerness to learn and a willingness to work hard. Additional preferred skills include:

• Ability to work in a small, cohesive team.
• Appreciation for the natural world, conservation & outdoor recreation.
• Familiarity and/or desire to learn how to operate hand and power tools to perform trail work.
• Desire to learn natural and cultural history of Connecticut and the role of trails in protecting these resources.
• Overnight camping experience preferred but not necessary.
• Desire and ability to work outdoors and willingness to perform strenuous physical activity such as frequent bending, lifting, and carrying of heavy objects.
• Willingness to work in outdoor settings in inclement or high temperature weather conditions, such as rain, heat, or humidity.
• Ability to hike up to five miles daily and perform work in sometimes steep and uneven terrain.
• Ability to lift and/or carry tools and construction materials weighing up to 40 pounds.

Additional Information

Benefits:

• The internship will give interns vital skills and experience for a career in outdoor recreation, conservation, or land management, as well as a greater appreciation for the importance of CT’s natural areas.
• Those selected will learn from and work closely with professional trail staff and land management professionals in the field.
• Educational opportunities beyond the daily work experiences will be provided, including participation in land conservation and environmental education workshops, which will expose interns to local conservationists and organizations.
• Tool use and safety, best practices, sustainable trail design, bridge building, chainsaw use and leadership training will be provided.
• Additionally, work safety equipment, uniforms and camping equipment will be provided.

Internship Term:

• The Trail Internship is full-time from early June to mid- August. Interns will work 35-40 hours/week.
• Depending on the project location, the work week may include weekends.
• Interns will work, travel, and camp together.
• Scheduling is flexible to accommodate college start/end dates.

Transportation and Housing:

• Interns will work out of our Middlefield office and travel to project sites each day.
• Interns will be required to also spend a week at a time camping in the field at State campgrounds or remote campsites with limited modern conveniences.
• All interns are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the Middlefield office.
• Transportation from the office to project sites will be provided.

Compensation

• Trail interns will be paid $10.10/hr.
• Personal vehicle mileage to project sites will be provided if necessary.
• During overnight trips, group food will be provided.
• Possibility for temporary housing support during the Summer.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your resume with three references and a brief letter of interest to Clare Cain, Trails Stewardship Director.
• This internship is open to 18-24 year olds.
• Application deadline is March 15.
• An in-person or Skype interview will be required.
• No phone calls please.