Put your passion for the Appalachian Trail to work!

Trail Crew and Ridgerunner Positions

All 2024 Positions have been filled.

2024 Paid Seasonal Positions

Maine Appalachian Trail Club – 2024 Seasonal Positions Available

Put your passion for the Appalachian Trail to work!  Apply for a job with the Maine Trail Crew or as a Ridgerunner and help conserve a remote and wild region of the beautiful Maine woods. Develop skills applicable to the growing industry of trail building and conservation – whether you are seeking a fun, active summer job, or a steppingstone in your path to a career in the outdoor industry.

Qualifications (all positions)

• Good health and physical fitness and able to hike long distances in mountain terrain.
• Backcountry backpacking, camping, and cooking experience.
• The ability to work well with others from a variety of backgrounds.
• The ability to solve problems with flexibility and resourcefulness.
• The ability to maintain a safe and enjoyable work environment under challenging conditions.
• Having a personal vehicle for days off – essential as Maine is a rural state with limited public transportation.
• Sorry, no pets allowed.

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Appalachian Trail Ridgerunners

Appalachian Trail Ridgerunners will be located at Saddleback Mountain, Bigelow Mountain, and the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Ridgerunners will provide low impact backcountry knowledge, skills and ethics to people hiking and camping. Through education and stewardship, Ridgerunners will protect water resources, wildlife, and rare alpine plants on mountain summits and ridgelines. Ridgerunners will camp at backcountry sites during workdays and some gear will be provided. Food and day-off housing will be on your own.The schedule will be May 18th through October 20th, 40 hrs./week, including weekends and holidays.

Pay range: $17.00 to 18.00/hour        Housing stipend: $2,000/season

Job Description:

• Meet, greet, register, and educate hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
• Impart backcountry camping and hiking knowledge, skills, and ethics to hikers, for example: where to camp, how to protect water sources, alpine plants, ford a stream, and minimize fire impacts.
• Manage and provide light maintenance at campsites.
• Collect data and submit reports.

Additional Qualifications:

• Knowledge, skills and ethics of low impact backcountry hiking and camping practices.
• Comfort with primitive, solitary, outdoor living and working conditions.
• Public/customer service skills.
• Professional appearance and attitude.
• Good communication skills (including oral, by phone, and written).
• Long-distance backpacking experience.

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The Maine Trail Crew

The Maine Trail Crew will rebuild damaged trail sections along the Appalachian Trail.  Crew members will hike into remote areas for five days at a time, camp on the trail, and use stone building techniques to control erosion. This will include rigging equipment to lift and move large boulders into place,  and building stone staircases, water bars and step stones. Days off housing will be rudimentary and bunk style at Lake George Regional Park, in Skowhegan. The schedule will be Mondays through Fridays, 40 hrs./week, late-May until mid-August (the exact dates depend on each position.)

2024 Maine Trail Crew – Employee Information & Gear List

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Trail Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader

Pay range:  $18.50 – $24.00/hr.

Job Description:

• Help train and supervise crew members, a team of five, in trail reconstruction and backcountry camping.
• Ensure a safe, sanitary, and productive environment at camp and work sites.
• Transport the crew safely.
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Trouble-shoot problems related to vehicles, staffing, basecamp, equipment, etc.

Additional Qualifications: 

• At least one season in an outdoor leadership role (preferred).
• Ability to take responsibility for all aspects of a trail crew, teach skills and motivate others.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

• Good record keeping and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working without direct supervision.

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Trail Crew Coordinator

Pay range:  $20.00 – $21.00/hr.

Job Description: 

• Plan, purchase, and organize backcountry meals.
• Maintain the crew budget.
• Keep records and generate reports.
• Trouble-shoot problems related to vehicles, staffing, basecamp, equipment, etc.
• Work as a crew member on the Appalachian Trail (roughly 50% of the time).

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong organization skills.
• Effective communication skills (verbal, written).
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Willing to collaborate and communicate regularly with the crew leader and supervisors.

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Trail Crew Member

Pay range:  $17.00 – $18.00/hr.

Job Description: Serve as a key part of the Maine Trail Crew and reconstruct the footpath in backcountry locations along the Appalachian Trail.

Additional Qualifications: 

• At least one season of trail work experience preferred.
• Ability to take direction from leadership.