Organization Mission:

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come.

Lead the volunteer skills development on the world’s most iconic footpath, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This position helps advance training opportunities on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) by working with A.T. clubs, new volunteers and A.T. staff to provide access to solid skills development. Trainings will focus on safety, group leadership, and essential to intermediate trail maintenance best practices. Two positions will cover the following geographic areas: 1) GA-VA, and 2) VA-NY.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Work alongside A.T. club volunteers on routine workdays to enhance safe operations, reduce over-construction, enhance sustainability, and drive forward “the best” in current trail maintenance standards.
  • Work directly with A.T. Maintaining clubs and ATC staff to schedule trainings, create and promote events, build partnerships, and recruit volunteers.
  • Deliver workshops that serve as training for existing volunteers and a recruitment tool for new volunteers via affinity groups, A.T. fans, A.T. Community members, or the general public with an interest in volunteering.
  • Represent ATC in the field by welcoming, offering good information, and leading by example.
  • Provide feedback to regional managers of observed areas of improvement in field work operations or identified deficiencies that could support future training workshops.
  • Enhance or refine written training resources that accompany training for participants and trainers.

Skills Required

  • Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience or five years of substantial volunteer experience specific to trail design, construction, and maintenance.
  • Minimum of two years of experience in leading trail crews.
  • Experience in training others in essential trail maintenance and/or more advanced trail skills.
  • Backcountry living and Leave No Trace skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • The ability and willingness to travel on the A.T. in remote, backcountry locations, often requiring several days of backcountry travel and living.
  • Proven experience working with volunteers, agencies, and partner groups.
  • The ability to perform physically demanding trail work.
  • Excellent written, electronic, and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as a team player.
  • Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
  • Demonstrates initiative and ability to problem solve.
  • Minimum basic: OSHA-compliant first aid and CPR certifications, wilderness first aid preferred.
  • USFS saw certification, chain and/or crosscut saw certification desirable.

Physical Demands

  • Backcountry living in remote locations for multiple days.
  • Backcountry travel over rugged terrain in changing weather conditions required in remote locations.
  • Ability to perform physically demanding trail work.

Terms and Compensation 

  • Hourly pay range: $21-23, final pay rate will be determined by experience.
  • Travel cost will be offset with either mutually agreed-upon mileage reimbursement, or use of ATC vehicle.
  • Season will not exceed 27 weeks.
  • Cellphone stipend available.

Application Instructions

Strongly encourage you to upload relevant certifications, such as first aid, CPR, and/or Sawyer Certifications, as part of your application, in addition to an updated resume and answers to the specific application questions. We may request you to provide up to three references throughout the recruitment process. This position will remain open until filled.

Click here to apply through our ADP portal

ATC Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness with all employees and volunteers to enable participation and contributions to their fullest potential.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive organization and recognize that diversity contributes to an effective and successful organizational culture and mission.

The ATC prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, political affiliation, union membership, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the locations where we operate.

Click here to view the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Identity Statement