Team Leader (Trails)

Are you ready to take the next step in outdoor leadership? Would you like to dig into the nuances of technical trail work?  If the answer is yes, then a Team Leader position is for you!  

Get paid to develop your skills during 12 weeks of leadership and technical skills training. Then, put your skills to the test leading a field team to accomplish conservation projects and network with environmental professionals across Maine. Be a teacher and mentor for those new to the challenges and rewards of living and serving in the outdoors, while making a positive impact in local communities. 

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

Training: Training typically takes place in the Augusta area; field work is conducted throughout Maine.

Start Date:  The Team Leader Position has two different start dates.

• March 7th:  For Team Leaders interested in our longer, more extensive training program. During this 12-week program, trainees are 450-hour AmeriCorps members. If you have already served 4 AmeriCorps terms, you are not eligible to participate in this MCC Team Leader Training program.

• April 11th:  For highly qualified Team Leaders who are interested in a shorter, hard skills-based training. This program is not an AmeriCorps position, although you will be working alongside AmeriCorps members during the 7-week training program. 

End Date:  October 7, 2022

Time requirements: Full time, 40+ hours a week.  It is typical to have a varied schedule.  Overnights, weekends, training and service days required.

General Description

The first 7-12 weeks of training will cover essential hard and soft skills of field team leadership.  Members will complete conservation projects as part of a team of fellow Team Leader trainees.  The following topics will be covered: 

Chainsaw safety training, Wilderness First Aid, sustainable trail building, camp life, diversity and inclusivity training, project management, job readiness training, and other technical trail building topics related to your assigned projects.        

A successful member of Team Leader Training will assume the key responsibilities of a MCC Field Team Leader:

This role provides direct leadership, mentorship, and training for a MCC field team during the field seasons. You can expect to work on physically challenging conservation projects in any kind of weather. MCC Team Leaders perform many roles and are the key to our program’s success.  The position is multi-faceted and demanding but has the opportunity for enormous rewards.

Anticipated 2022 Field Team Leadership positions:

• 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 required, and stonework and rigging experience 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 stonework experience and backcountry living experience 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.  Previous chainsaw experience preferred.
• 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.  Previous carpentry experience and trail building experience preferred.
• 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.  Previous trail construction and chainsaw experience preferred.

Duties Include:

1. Safety: Team leaders will promote a ‘culture of safety’ and ensure that the crew is adequately equipped and prepared for projects and living conditions, including serving in inclement weather and serving and living in backcountry settings.  Team leaders will follow and uphold all safety, and sanitation policies and procedures, including heightened COVID-19 protocols.
2. Conservation Project Management: Leaders will conduct a pre-service site visit at each project site.  Leader will be responsible for preparing and packing appropriate tools and gear for each project, developing an emergency response plan, communicating regularly with project partners, and effectively managing the team to meet project goals. 
3. Documentation and Reporting: Leaders must complete all paperwork in a thorough and timely manner, including daily project reports, submission and approval of timesheets, vehicle mileage logs, and other forms required by the MCC.  Leaders are expected to proactively communicate with field staff about crew dynamics and are responsible for documenting crew member incidents and behaviors related to policy violations and disciplinary action.
4. Crew Member Mentorship: MCC Team Leaders are teachers and mentors.  They train members in all aspects of trail construction and rehabilitation, and guide and support the team to ensure safety, and wellbeing.  Leaders will participate in and facilitate job readiness training workshops and promote crew member development.  Leaders provide written and verbal feedback to members throughout the term.

Working 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
• 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 with 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 perform tasks as part of a cooperative team
• Non-judgmental attitude, sensitivity to others, approachable
• Responsible and reliable
• High level of comfort in the outdoors
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Interest in personal growth and in participating in on-going training
• Interest in serving with and mentoring 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

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident
• Must agree to criminal history checks
• Previous outdoor leadership or project management experience
• Committed to MCC through the duration of the term of service

Preferred Qualifications:

• Driver’s license and clean driving record
• Previous trail construction experience
• Backcountry living experience
• Experience with GPS/GIS
• Experience with power tools and hand tools including chainsaws, and rigging equipment

Benefits

• Team Leaders starting in March are 450-hour AmeriCorps members during the 12-week training period and will receive an education award of $1,678.57 upon successful completion.
• AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for student loan deferment and childcare reimbursement.
• All leaders will receive a weekly living allowance of $325 (less taxes) during training.
• Upon successful completion of training living allowances increase to $480 per week, and Leaders will be eligible for health insurance.
• Other benefits include a Maine State Park Pass, paid training, and a wide range of networking opportunities.

Housing:  Will be provided during the training period.  Housing varies from rustic cabins to tent camping.  Expect to move locations throughout training.  During the field season, teams will camp at a base camp near their project site and will return to an assigned basecamp during off time.  Basecamps will vary from rustic cabins, to tent sites. 

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.