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New York-New Jersey Trail Conference seeks Trail Construction Specialist

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is seeking a versatile, highly organized Trail Construction Specialist to manage and oversee the successful completion of front and backcountry trail design, construction and education projects in the southern NY and northern NJ region. The Trail Construction Specialist will report to the Executive Director and work closely with Trail Conference field staff, volunteers and numerous partner agencies and contracted clients.

The position will provide on-the-ground supervision of contracted projects and support for volunteer driven projects, project management and tracking, operation of trail equipment, completion of trail surveys and design, and creation of training curriculums.

The right candidate is a highly experienced trail technician who can function as a client consultant, a project manager, a crew foreman and a volunteer leader. The candidate must be detail-oriented, quality and quantity driven, and able to work independently as well lead professional and volunteer trail crews.

Based in Mahwah, New Jersey, this is a full-time position offering a competitive salary and benefits and substantial potential for professional growth through managing interesting trail projects with a diverse group of trail enthusiasts and growing a trail building business fueled by local demands for low-impact trail construction.

Created in 1920 to assist area parks with trail construction and maintenance, the Trail Conference now represents 100 member clubs and 10,000 individual hiking enthusiasts in the greater New York metropolitan region and outlying areas. Since opening the original section of the Appalachian Trail in 1923, the trail network that we cooperatively manage has grown to 1,700 miles. Over a thousand Trail Conference volunteers contribute 40,000 hours to this and other conservation efforts annually. The Trail Conference is supported through charitable giving, donated services and earned revenue. Located in Mahwah, NJ near the New York state line, our offices offer a friendly and professional work environment with frequent member/volunteer interactions. For more information about the NY-NJ Trail Conference, see http://www.nynjtc.org.

To apply, please submit the following items via email attachments (start all attachment filenames with your last name) to jobs@nynjtc.org: All application materials will be kept confidential.

1. A resume

2. A cover letter addressing why you are interested in this position and why we should be interested in you

The position is available until filled. Candidate interviews will begin immediately and continue until

an offer is made. No calls please. Check the http://www.nynjtc.org/employees/ job posting to determine if the position is filled.

Responsibilities:

On-Site Project Supervision:

Provide oversight of work completed by trail crews, volunteers, subcontractors and partner organizations, including hiring trail crews, providing necessary training or direction, maintaining production, crew morale, and quality and safety standards.

Project Management and Tracking:

Track projects through weekly work updates, photo documentation, and budget updates. Position will be responsible for creating budgets and competitive bids for trail contracts as well as maintaining all projects within planned budgets then preparing and presenting project reports for project stakeholders.

Equipment Operation:

Operate and train staff and volunteers to operate specialized equipment as appropriate (chainsaws, rock drills, rock saws, rigging, tracked loaders and carriers, and other small equipment).

Volunteer Supervision:

Mange trail projects and contracts involving volunteers to the greatest extent possible in order to provide productive, educational and rewarding experiences for the public.

Trail Design, Plans, and Consultations:

Design trails working closely with NY-NJ Trail Conference staff and lead volunteers, other project stakeholders and/or clients. Create clear and professional trail master plans and feasibility studies. Assist with the development of park recreational facilities to compliment trail systems. Conduct trail maintenance surveys and create maintenance and trail work logs in both written, photographic, and CAD formats.

Project Logistics: Manage tool and material inventories, maintenance, acquisition, and coordination of use among paid and volunteer crews. Develop and implement risk management plans for all projects and be on call during the trail construction seasons for technical and urgent situations.

Creation and Implementation of Educational Curriculums:

Create educational curriculums to teach trail skills and theory to diverse audiences including, but not limited to: Adult, teen, and youth trail volunteers, state, county, and town park and recreation construction and maintenance staff, and NY-NJ Trail Conference staff and interns. Curriculum will be created and implemented (through organizing and/or teaching) the following classes as needed: Trail Construction for Beginners, Trail Design and Layout, Basic Stone Work for Trails, Stone Crib Wall Construction, Stone Cutting and Shaping, Mechanized Trail Construction, Rigging for Trail Work (basic and advanced), Basic Tread Shaping Skills, Special Topics in Drainage (water bars, stone culverts, drainage lenses, stone paving), Special Topics in Wetland Construction (puncheon, boardwalks, turnpiking, and rock boxes).

Development of Volunteer and Staff Resources:

Working closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and Regional Field Coordinators integrate volunteer recruitment and retention programs into hybrid trail construction projects. The position is also responsible for hiring, training, and supervising year-round, seasonal, and weekend trail crewmembers, leaders, and sub-contractors to accomplish projects.

Other Tasks:

Work closely with administrative tasks to insure invoicing and payroll is completed promptly and accurately. Maintain a collaborative relationship with agency partners and subcontractors to insure the smooth operation of trail construction projects.

Minimum Qualifications

¥ Four field seasons of trail experience with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of trail maintenance, construction and safety techniques.

¥ Two seasons of experience leading paid crews.

¥ Two seasons of experience leading volunteer crew (both adults and youth)

¥ Prompt, dependable, and flexible work habits.

¥ Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining effective communications with the rest of the team.

¥ Strong written and verbal communications skills.

¥ Experience working with a wide variety of volunteer, field staff, agency personnel, contractors, recreational users and other stakeholders to accomplish trail projects.

¥ Should be a self-starter, able to handle multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment, to prioritize, use good judgment and initiative and offer recommendations to solve problems.

¥ Demonstrated ability to motivate crews and volunteers and effectively instruct others in trail work techniques, practices and standards, tool use and safety and teamwork.

¥ Skills in safe use, operation and maintenance of vehicles, hand tools, chainsaws, brush cutters, helical pier drivers, power carriers and other mechanical equipment. Must have experience with rigging equipment, setting up and supervising high/skyline operations, using mechanized as well as hand winches, carpentry, technical rockwork including stone step, crib wall, and stone splitting and shaping.

¥ Proven experience with trail design and layout, estimating time, materials and costs, including the successful on time and on budget completion of trail projects.

¥ Ability to regularly carry 50 pounds in mountain terrain, and work under physically demanding conditions, including cold and wet weather.

¥ Experience using Windows, Word, PowerPoint and Excel or equivalents.

¥ Must have valid drivers license with insurable driving record.

¥ Wilderness First Aid (or higher) and CPR training (training can be provided for the right candidate).

Desired Skills

¥ Experience with mechanized power equipment (excavators, loaders, rock drills, etc). ¥ Bachelor's degree or experience in a conservation-related or Landscape Design or Architecture field desired.

¥ Experience with Microsoft Project, ArcGIS, and CAD programs

More resources:

Bibliography
Quotations
Glossary
Acronyms
Tools
Trailbuilding
Wildlife and trails
Planning
Maintenance
Volunteers
Products & services

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