Conservation Corps - Trail Stewardship Crew Member

MEMBER POSITION DESCRIPTION Member Host Site Member Host Site Name: North Country Trail Association Member Host Site Location: New York State – Adirondack Park/West Canada Lake Wilderness Member Host Site Supervisor Contact Information: Name: Will Brazill Title: Regional Trail Coordinator Phone: 716-268-1140 Email: wbrazill@northcountrytrail.

org Member Position Information Member Position Title: Trail Stewardship Crew Member Purpose of the Program: Provide hands-on stewardship and maintenance of the North Country National Scenic Trail in the Adirondack Park through multi-day backcountry trail maintenance assignments. Members will clear trail corridors, maintain existing drainage features, and address minor trail maintenance needs on the Brooktrout Lake and French Louis trails using low-impact hand tools and techniques.

Community Needs that the Program Serves: The program addresses ongoing trail maintenance needs on the North Country National Scenic Trail within the West Canada Lake Wilderness. Regular trail maintenance helps keep the trail safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for hikers while reducing deferred maintenance. Because portions of the trail are located in remote backcountry, the project provides an opportunity to efficiently accomplish maintenance work through multi-day field assignments while minimizing repeated travel to and from the work area.

Values and Standards of the Program: The program emphasizes safe and responsible stewardship of public lands, low-impact trail maintenance, teamwork, respect for wilderness resources, Leave No Trace principles, and consideration for trail users and surrounding natural resources. Members are expected to work cooperatively, follow established safety procedures, use tools appropriately, and complete assigned work in accordance with land-manager and NCTA standards.

Member Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in multi-day backcountry trail maintenance assignments within the West Canada Lake Wilderness.
• Hike to and from the remote work locations while carrying personal camping equipment, food, water, and required work equipment.
• Establish and maintain appropriate backcountry camps in accordance with applicable wilderness regulations and land-manager requirements.
• Prepare for and safely work in variable late-season weather conditions, including cold temperatures, rain, snow, and wet or muddy trail conditions.
• Practice appropriate backcountry sanitation, food storage, campsite management, and Leave No Trace principles.
• Maintain personal and crew safety while working and camping in a remote wilderness setting.
• Clear vegetation encroaching on established trail corridor using hand loppers and handsaws.
• Remove small woody vegetation and minor blowdown that obstructs or restricts the trail corridor.
• Clean and maintain existing trail drainage features using hazel hoes, shovels, and other appropriate hand tools.
• Remove leaves, sediment, soil, and other accumulated material from drainage features to restore proper water flow.
• Address minor drainage and tread issues using appropriate low-impact trail maintenance techniques.
• Maintain a consistent, walkable trail corridor while minimizing disturbance to surrounding vegetation and soils.
• Safely transport and use hand tools while working in remote and uneven terrain.
• Identify significant trail hazards, erosion problems, structural deficiencies, or other maintenance needs that are beyond the scope of assigned work and report them to the NCTA supervisor
• Follow all applicable safety procedures, wilderness regulations, land-manager requirements, and NCTA trail-maintenance standards.
• Work cooperatively as part of a trail stewardship crew and assist with other related trail maintenance activities as assigned. Marginal Duties: Report any housing or vehicle concerns to NCTA/SCA Ensure time logs and outputs are being logged accurately and on time How the Member’s Role Aligns with the Organization: The North Country Trail Association works with public land managers, volunteers, and partners to develop, protect, maintain, and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail. This positions directly supports that mission by providing hands-on stewardship of existing trail segments and helping address routine maintenance needs that are necessary to keep the trail sustainable and accessible to the public. Performance Goals for the Member: Goal 1: Complete assigned trail corridor clearing on the Brooktrout Lake and French Louis trails, maintaining an appropriate and walkable trail corridor while minimizing impacts to surrounding vegetation. Goal 2: Complete assigned drainage/maintenance work using hand tools and low-impact techniques to improve water management and reduce minor erosion and drainage-related trail problems. Goal 3: Successfully participate in multi-day backcountry trail maintenance assignments while demonstrating safe tool use, appropriate wilderness camping practices, Leave No Trace principles, effective crew communication, and sound judgement in remote field conditions. Member Qualifications: List any specific qualifications for member: Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work for extended periods and hike while carrying a backpack and personal camping equipment. Willingness and ability to participate in multi-day backcountry assignments, including overnight camping in remote wilderness settings. Ability to work safely in variable late-season weather conditions. Prior backpacking or trail maintenance experience is preferred but not required. Skills/Knowledge/Training Necessary to be a successful Member in this position: Skills: Ability to work effectively as part of a crew; willingness to perform physically demanding outdoor work; ability to hike and carry equipment over uneven and remote terrain; ability to follow directions and established safety procedures; good communication and problem-solving skills; and willingness to learn and safely use hand tools. Knowledge: Basic knowledge of outdoor recreation, conservation, trail stewardship, backpacking, or natural resource management is beneficial but not required. Training: Training will be provided in the safe use of loppers, handsaws, hazel hoes, shovels, and other hand tools; trail corridor clearing; drainage maintenance; wilderness work practices; hazard identification; backcountry camping and Leave No Trace principles; cold-weather field preparedness; crew communication; and appropriate response to trail conditions or hazards beyond the scope of assigned work. Term of Service Position Start Date: 10/28/2026 Position End Date: 11/20/2026 Schedule (Example: M-F 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM): Full-time field service schedule as established by SCA and NCTA, with project work occurring primarily during October and November. Assignments may consist of multi-day backcountry field rotations requirement overnight camping in the West Canada Lake Wilderness. Daily work will occur during daylight hours and will be dependent on weather, trail conditions, daylight hours, and other field conditions. Describe orientation process and training for member on prohibited and unallowable activities: Member will receive orientation from SCA and NCTA covering prohibited and unallowable activities, organizational policies, workplace expectations, service requirements, applicable land-manager regulations, wilderness ethics, backcountry safety, camping practices, tool safety, and emergency procedures. Describe professional, personal, or service-related member development activities and training to be provided for member: Members will receive hands-on professional development in trail stewardship, trail corridor clearing, drainage maintenance, safe use of hand tools, backcountry camping and field safety, Leave No Trace principles, hazard identification, crew communication, and low-impact natural resource stewardship. Members will gain practical experience working with a nonprofit trail organization and public land management partners in a remote wilderness environment.

Benefits

$16.00/hour Evaluating and Reporting Dates member will be evaluated: Reporting Requirements (Please Describe): Member will maintain accurate timesheets and complete required SCA service documentation. Member will communicate regularly with the NCTA host-site supervisor regarding work completed, field conditions, safety concerns, and additional maintenance needs identified during service.

Any required SCA monthly and quarterly reports will be completed according to SCA program requirements. Timesheets submitted Weekly Monthly Data Reports: Member will provide required monthly service and accomplishment information to SCA and NCTA, including service hours, projects activities, and work completed. Quarterly Narrative Reports: Member will complete required quarterly narrative reporting in accordance with SCA program requirements.

Equal Opportunity Statement The SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.