Allagash Crew Leader (Summer 2026)

Northern Forest Canoe Trail; Maine; On-site; USD 31,850 - 37,310; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Food provided

Vehicle provided

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

Northern Forest Canoe Trail seeks an experienced Allagash Wilderness Waterway Stewardship Crew Leader for summer stewardship projects. This field-based, full-time position involves overseeing a team and leading various trail projects while ensuring safety and fostering teamwork. Ideal candidates should have outdoor skills, prior trail crew experience, and a valid driver's license. Compensation ranges from $700-$820 per week, with food and vehicle provided. Experience with flat-water paddling is essential for this remote role.

Qualifications

• Prior trail crew experience; competence in both timber and stone construction techniques.
• Strong outdoor skills; ability to live and work in remote settings.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Oversee team operations and coordinate projects to rehabilitate campsites.
• Ensure adherence to safety guidelines and cultivate teamwork.
• Construct tent pads, install stone steps, restore eroding river banks.

Skills

Outdoor skills

Teamwork

Physical work enthusiasm

Flat-water paddling

Tools

Various hand tools

Chainsaw

Motorboats

Job description

Northern Forest Canoe Trail Allagash Wilderness Waterway Stewardship Crew Leader Position Description

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) is seeking an experienced trail enthusiast to lead a summer stewardship crew based along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. As the only dedicated water trail crew in the Northeast, NFCT stewardship crews specialize in projects at the interface of land and water, including campsites, portage trails, and access points. The Allagash Stewardship Crew Leader will work with three Stewardship Interns, camp groups, and community volunteers to lead stewardship projects along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW), a remote and beautiful section of our water trail in Northern Maine.

Duration: May 31st — August 7th
Field-based, full-time (40 hours/week).
$700-$820 / week compensation, depending on experience
Food and vehicle provided
$0.67 per mile reimbursement for work related travel in personal vehicles

Responsibilities

The Allagash Stewardship Crew Leader will work with three Stewardship Interns, a Maine Conservation Crew and community volunteers to lead stewardship projects along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW), a remote and beautiful section of our water trail in Northern Maine.

You will be responsible for overseeing team operations while coordinating a series of projects to rehabilitate campsites (primarily on Eagle Lake) along the waterway. In addition to ensuring adherence to safety guidelines and cultivating teamwork and leadership skills, work will involve constructing tent pads, installing stone steps, restoring eroding river banks, assembling privies, improving access trails, tree plantings, and more.

The NFCT works with partners to implement projects along our trail and throughout adjacent waterways of the Northern Forest. Drawing on our extensive experience working in challenging, ecologically sensitive, and often remote environments, our crew implements practices that are flexible, durable, and innovative.

Minimum Qualifications

• Prior trail crew experience; competence in both timber and stone construction techniques.
• Strong outdoor skills; ability to live and work in remote settings
• Experience operating various types of tools and equipment
• Experience working in a team environment
• Experience with flat-water paddling
• Enthusiasm for physical work and outdoor living
• Valid driver’s license

Desired Qualifications

• Prior trail crew leader experience
• Prior Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Certification
• Experience leading and instructing others in a field setting
• Experience working with volunteers
• Chainsaw experience, certification
• Confidence with flat-water paddling
• Experience operating motorboats
• Interest in transitioning in the fall to our Assistant Trail Director position
• Note: this is a field-based position. The crew will have access to a rustic cabin at Lock Dam. The crew will also camp at rotating project sites, especially when volunteers are present. We expect to run a 10-day on, 4-day off schedule.