Seasonal Trail Maintenance Worker

Friends of Acadia; Bar Harbor (ME); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of Acadia seeks a FOA Trail Maintenance Worker for a short-season role at Acadia National Park. This skilled position involves trail maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation, requiring knowledge of trail construction techniques, safety practices, and leadership in overseeing other workers. Candidates should be able to hiked steep trails and manage strenuous physical tasks while maintaining safe working conditions.

Qualifications

• Ability to recognize unsafe conditions.
• Proficiency with safe operating of vehicles up to 26,000 GVW.

Responsibilities

• Lead and instruct other workers as needed.
• Ensure quality and safety standards are met.
• Responsible for rigging, masonry, and data management.

Skills

Trail construction and maintenance techniques

Dry stone masonry

Carpentry skills

Rigging and weight handling

Erosion control knowledge

Calculating slope and grade

Leadership skills

Job description

FOA Trail Maintenance Worker

JOB TITLE: FOA Trail Maintenance Worker – Short Season

LOCATION: Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor, Maine

REPORTING TO: Stewardship Manager and VP of Conservation Programs

JOB STATUS: Seasonal non-exempt, 40 hours a week, 4 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday.

EMPLOYMENT PERIODS: June 2025 – August 2025 (1 position available)

Job Summary

This position supports the Trails Maintenance Branch in the Division of Maintenance of Acadia National Park. Major duties include trail maintenance and construction, and use of trails management data systems. Work projects involve rehabilitation of all trails within Acadia National Park, including repair of existing trails and re-establishment of historic abandoned trails. Priorities are set by park staff and leaders according to their plans.

Major Duties

The Trail Maintenance Worker is a skilled position working under the guidance of a Trail Work Supervisor. Responsibilities include all aspects of trail maintenance, construction, repair, and rehabilitation. The employee also assists with asset management planning using facilities practices.

Approximately 65% of the work involves drainage, tread maintenance, construction, rehabilitation, and repair of a historic hiking trail system. Duties include:

• Gathering, cutting, and shaping stone for repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of stone features such as retaining walls, steps, walkways, bridge abutments, and rock walls, maintaining historical accuracy using cutting, measuring, and shaping techniques.
• Constructing wooden structures like trail bridges, bog walls, railings, decks, and stairs from milled and native materials.
• Rigging and using highline cable systems, installing weight handling gear for lifting and moving large materials, and setting up rigging to move heavy objects safely around natural obstacles.
• Trail clearing, marking, erosion control, and felling trees up to 36" diameter, including directional falling using established methods.
• Driving various trucks and equipment, including loaders and ATVs, to transport crews and materials, often in challenging terrain.
• Installing safety features on steep slopes, using ropes, knots, and slings for fall protection.
• Operating and maintaining hand and power tools, and instructing others in their use.
• Participating in safety programs and training.
• Approximately 35% of the work involves Facility Management Software System (FMSS) and Project Management Information System (PMIS), including data management, reporting, and coordination with field staff.

Job Requirements

• Good knowledge of trail construction and maintenance techniques, ability to recognize unsafe conditions.
• Skills in dry stone masonry, including shaping and cutting granite with drills and chisels.
• Basic carpentry skills for constructing and repairing trail features, ability to plan and measure projects.
• Proficiency with rigging, installing weight handling gear, and moving large materials safely.
• Knowledge of trail erosion control, drainage evaluation, and revegetation methods.
• Ability to calculate slope, grade, and volume measurements using site levels and clinometers.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate vehicles up to 26,000 GVW, including loaders and ATVs.
• Knowledge of safe installation of safety features on steep slopes, and operation and maintenance of trail tools and equipment.
• Effective leadership skills and ability to perform tasks safely.
• Thorough understanding of asset management principles and proficiency with FMSS and PMIS systems.

Responsibilities

Work under supervision but with independence, leading and instructing other workers as needed. Responsible for rigging, masonry, data management, and safety. Recognizes problems and initiates projects, ensuring quality and safety standards are met.

Physical Effort

Requires strenuous effort, including hiking steep trails, lifting over 50 pounds regularly, and working in difficult terrain and weather conditions.

Work Conditions

Work sites are remote, often miles from roads, with hazards from weather and terrain. Safety precautions and PPE are required.

Safety

Participates actively in safety programs, responsible for site safety, and ensuring use of PPE.

Other

Driving various vehicles is required; a valid license is mandatory.