Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation

Contact Name: Walter Opuszynski

Company/Organization/Agency: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation

Address: 5 Perry Street, Suite 20, Barre, VT 05641 USA

Email Address: walter.opuszynski@vermont.gov

Contact Phone: (802) 522-6022

Job Title: State Trail Crew Member

Job Description: Pay: $11.80 per hour
Season: end of April to mid-October, exact dates to be determined
Application Due: Rolling until April 19, 2019
Interviews will be scheduled in early March

Definition:
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is seeking Crew Members for the seasonal State Trail Crew. Crew Members need to be comfortable performing trail work in both backcountry and front country settings in a close-knit team of two to five. Projects may incorporate volunteers or contracted youth conservation corps. requiring support and oversight by Crew Members. Work will be performed at State Parks and on State Lands within an assigned FPR region/district. Duties and work projects are performed under the general direction of the Trail Crew Leader and oversight by the District Trails Coordinator, but with need for significant independence interacting with the public while in the field.

Examples of Work Performed:
Crew Members will be responsible for performing routine trail maintenance on an assortment of trail types ranging from hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian to multi-use. This trail maintenance will include cleaning and restoration of water bars, corridor maintenance and clearing, blazing trails, installing signage, and cataloging areas that need to be addressed. Work involves heavy lifting, digging, carrying, brush cutting and operation of power equipment in the construction and maintenance of natural surface and crusher fines trails. On certain projects technical trail work will occur, which could include but is not limited to the installation of erosion control devises, wooden bridges, stone staircases, stepping stones, and retainer walls. Chainsaw work is also a part of the job, and could include clearing blow-downs from trails and milling lumber to use on trail structures. Chainsaw work will be performed by a crew member certified to operate a chainsaw. (Chainsaw certification is required by at least one member of the crew: Game of Logging Level 2 or Forest Service Cert) Crew Members will represent the Department when interacting with the public during working hours. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
• Ability and willingness to work with other people.
• Carpentry skills including knowledge of wooden joinery, milling lumber with a chainsaw, and basic carpentry skills.
• Knowledge of rockwork, including proper contact, understanding methods of dry-stacking rocks, along with quarrying and moving rocks using a Griphoist.
• Understanding of erosion and the impact of erosion on trails.
• Understanding of surface water movement associated with varying topographies. 
• Working knowledge of trail corridor maintenance.
• Standard First Aid and CPR Certified.
• Chainsaw certification is required by at least one trail crew member.
• All members of the trail crew should be comfortable working around a chainsaw and understand the safety concerns associated with chainsaw work.  

Environmental Factors:
Duties are performed outdoors in all types of weather. Crew Members must be able to lift heavy items, at times up to 50 lbs. Manual dexterity is needed to operate equipment and use tools. A valid driver’s license is required for travel to work sites. There will be camping in both front country and back country settings. The Trail Crew will be traveling from work area to work area in assigned district, and may be provided with campsites, lean-tos, or cabins if available, within nearby state parks. It is recommended that during the workweek crewmembers stay at the campgrounds associated with, or near, the trail work being performed. A crew vehicle will be supplied by FPR. When working on state lands that do not have a State Park in the immediate vicinity, a spike camp will be established with the assistance of the District Trails Coordinator. Crew Members will need to supply their own camping equipment. Indoor work may be provided where possible during inclement weather.

Minimum Qualifications for Application:
Education: High School Diploma
Experience: At least one year of trail work experience. Valid Driver’s License, Standard First Aid and CPR Certification required. Chainsaw certification required by at least one member of the trail crew.

Other helpful experiences (not requirements): Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid Certification. Training in any methods of rock work or carpentry skills. Previous experience working in a crew setting.
The on-line application process can be found at: https://vtstateparks.com/employment.html 

Questions can be directed to:
Walter Opuszynski
Field Recreation Specialist
Walter.opuszynski@vermont.gov

Job Start Date: 4/29/2019

Application Deadline: 2/22/2019

Additional Information: Application portal found here: https://vtstateparks.com/employment.html

(Sent via Professional TrailBuilders Association)