Assistant Team Leader (Trails)

Live, serve, and explore Maine’s wilderness, coast, and mountains with Maine Conservation Corps (MCC). Get paid for 6 weeks of leadership and technical skills training and then practice those skills while serving and supporting a team leader in managing a crew to enhance hiking, biking, skiing, and other types of recreational trails throughout the state. 

Gain experience in leadership while learning how to highline a 500-pound boulder to construct a stone staircase, build timber structures, or open access to treasured natural areas.  You’ll make a difference in the lives of your team and local communities, while connecting to nature, peers, and yourself.

Trail Training Period & Location: April 25th – June 10th, 2022; Training typically takes place in the Augusta area; field projects occur throughout Maine.

Start Date:  April 25, 2022

End Date:  October 7, 2022

Member Orientation and Field Season: June 13th – October 7th, 2022  

Location: MCC Office: 54 Independence Drive, Augusta, ME 04330

Time requirements: Full time, 40+ hours a week.  It is typical to have a varied schedule.  Overnights, weekends, training and service days required.  Assistant Team Leaders are 900 hour AmeriCorps members.

General Description

The first 6 weeks of training will cover hard and soft skills of Field Team leadership.  Members will complete conservation projects as part of a team of fellow Assistant Team Leaders and Team Leader Trainees. 

The following topics will be covered: 

• Wilderness First Aid, sustainable trail building, camp life, Leave No Trace ethics, diversity and inclusivity, project management, job readiness training, and other technical trail building topics related to your assigned projects.       

You can expect to serve on physically challenging conservation projects gaining hands on experience in the groundwork of stewardship.  MCC Assistant Team Leaders provide logistical and technical support and play a key role in team cohesion.  The ATL position requires a desire to grow as a leader, a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, the ability to live and serve collaboratively in a team setting, and the physical ability to carry out the essential functions of the position.  The position is multi-faceted with many opportunities for growth as a leader and conservationist.

Duties

1. Training: ATLs attend an orientation to the MCC and AmeriCorps and participate in 6 weeks of on the ground training developing technical trail skills, project management skills, and leadership skills.  ATLs will assist with and participate in a regional member orientation in June.  Topics will include backcountry wellness, Leave No Trace ethics, diversity and inclusivity, and an introduction to trail tools and safety standards. During the field season ATLs will participate in and help facilitate job readiness training.
2. Safety: Assistant Team leaders will promote a culture of safety by modeling appropriate safety practices and PPE, assisting members with packing appropriate gear for project conditions, and upholding all safety and sanitation policies and procedures, including heightened COVID-19 protocols.
3. Project Support: ATLs and Leaders collaborate throughout the season to meet project goals.  ATLs provide logistical support to leaders and technical support to members; and they perform ongoing tool maintenance and inventory. 
4. Leadership: ATLs are role models.  They provide support, guidance, and training to members of the team.  They promote a positive team environment by listening and respecting all perspectives, maintaining a positive attitude in challenging conditions, and taking part in all joint living tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and maintaining a healthy basecamp. Joint living tasks are not countable towards AmeriCorps service hours. ATLs will take on a leadership role in the absence of the Team Leader or when the team breaks up into small groups to complete multiple tasks. 

Anticipated 2022 Field Team Projects include:

• Backcountry Stonework on the Appalachian Trail: Up to 2 teams will focus on Appalachian Trail rehabilitation projects in the backcountry.  These projects will involve carrying food, tools, and gear between 1 and 4 miles to a backcountry basecamp. Projects include construction of stone staircases, stepping stones, and other erosion control structures.  Previous backcountry living experience is preferred.
• Public Lands Stonework:  Up to 2 teams will focus on stonework projects and other trail projects in both front and backcountry settings across Maine.  Previous backcountry living experience is preferred
• Public Lands Maintenance: One team will focus on general maintenance of Maine’s public land units in both front country and backcountry settings.  Projects include, corridor maintenance, blowdown removal, bog bridge construction, and more. 
• Sustainable Trail Building:  2 to 3 teams will travel to communities throughout Maine focusing on a variety of trail building and maintenance task including bridge construction and new trail construction as well as other conservation projects including invasive plant removal. 
• Mini-Team:  MCC anticipates having one Mini Team consisting of 1 leader and 2 members focusing on a variety of trail and conservation projects including stonework, bridge construction, and general trail maintenance and construction. 

Service Conditions

This position requires serving in adverse weather conditions, including cold, rain, heat and humidity, exposure to biting and stinging insects, hiking with all tools and gear over difficult terrain, and sleeping in tents. This position should be viewed not as a traditional job, but as an experience where long hours and extended time away from home, often in remote locations, are to be expected.

Essential Functions

• Have the desire to learn, serve others, and make a difference
• Desire to grow as a leader
• Willingness and physical ability to serve on a variety of conservation projects, which will include using power and hand tools
• Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Serving on trails across steep or uneven terrain
• Serving in extremes of heat or cold, as well as being exposed to biting and stinging insects
• Serving, eating, and camping outdoors in all weather conditions
• Ability to hike 3-12 miles per day in rugged terrain, often carrying heavy gear and tools
• Ability to self-motivate, take initiative, and act cooperatively in a group
• Ability to perform tasks as part of a cooperative team
• Non-judgmental attitude, sensitivity to others, approachable
• Responsible and reliable
• Interest in personal growth and in participating in on-going training
• Interest in serving with a diverse group of people
• Willingness to follow heightened health and safety protocols due to COVID-19 during service sessions and during time off, including restricted travel outside of Maine.

Marginal Functions:

• The ability to operate a MCC vehicle to transport members and gear to and from project sites

Qualifications

• Must be eligible for AmeriCorps
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident
• Must agree to criminal history checks
• Committed to MCC through the duration of the term of service

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous Corps experience
• Outdoor living experience
• Experience working as a part of a team

Benefits

Assistant Team Leaders are 900 hour AmeriCorps members who will receive a weekly living stipend of $325 (less taxes). Other benefits include a wide range of training and networking opportunities, housing during training, a Maine State Park Pass, and an education award of $3,247.50. Some members may also be eligible for student loan deferment and childcare reimbursement.

To Apply

Please apply by January 4, 2022.

• Submit a MCC Application, and send a copy of your resume to  Corps.Conservation@maine.gov. 
• You will be contacted with further instructions. You may direct questions to the same email above.