Seasonal Trail Maintenance Worker

FOA Trail Maintenance Worker 

JOB TITLE:  FOA Trail Maintenance Worker – Short Season

LOCATION: Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor, Maine

REPORTING TO: Stewardship Manager and VP of Conservation Programs

JOB STATUS: Seasonal non-exempt, 40 hours a week 4 10-hour days each week,

Monday through Thursday. 

EMPLOYMENT PERIODS: June 2025 – August 2025 (1 position available) 

Job Summary

This position will support the Trails Maintenance Branch in the Division of Maintenance of Acadia National. Major job duties are maintenance and construction of trails, and use of trails management data systems,

Work projects include rehabilitation of all trails within of Acadia National Park. Projects include repair of existing trails and re-establishment of the historic abandoned trails.

Priorities are established by Acadia National Park staff and leaders as specified in their plans. 

Major Duties

The Trail Maintenance Worker is a skilled position working under the guidance of a Trail Work Supervisor. Employee is engaged in all aspects of trail maintenance, construction, repair, and. rehabilitation. Employee also assists with asset management planning utilizing knowledge and skill of the practices of the Facilities.

Approximately 65% of Employee assignment is related to an emphasis on drainage and tread maintenance, construction, rehabilitation, and repair of an historical hiking trail system.

Duties:                                            

Gathers, cuts and shapes stone for use in repair rehabilitation or reconstruction

of historical retaining walls·, stone steps, stone walkways, bridge abutments, and rock walls bordering or supporting park trails. Rehabilitates walls, steps, and other stone features according to the historical character of the original constructed features or constructs new features according to the Acadia Trails Treatment Plan; both through the use of cutting, measuring, and shaping techniques. Maintains familiarity with drywall construction techniques. Cuts granite using rock drills and plugs and feathers. Uses hand, rotary or gas-powered drills, carbide tipped tracers, chisels, and points.

Constructs wooden structures such as trail bridges, bog walls, railings, decks and stairs of milled material, including pressure treated materials, as well as the use of whole logs and occasionally the use of native materials on site.

Rigs and uses highline cable systems. Installs weight handling gear, such as. cables, ropes, blocks (pulleys), slings, and chains used to lift, move and position a: variety of large and heavy materials needed on trail construction projects.  Installs rigging to move large heavy objects across gorges and up and down steep terrain without the aid of cranes or other mobile material handling equipment. Sets up rigging gear to work around trees, boulders and other natural obstacles minimizing environmental impact. Places gear to ensure safely balanced and secured load.

Brushes trails and clears blowdowns. Marks trails with paint blazes and rock cairns. Uses trail erosion control methods for the construction and rehabilitation of tread, including water bars or dips, checks and culverts.

Fells standing trees up to 36" in diameter, including dead trees and hazard trees.

Does directional falling 'using established methods, including use of ropes, cables and pullies.

Drives crew cabs, stake truck (rack truck), one ton dump trucks, and crew cab with dump body up to but not exceeding 26,000 GVW to transport crew and or materials to the job site.

Driver must often load and safely secure material such as loam, gravel; logs, or granite. Truck may be used to pull tag-along trailers for hauling loads or equipment; trailer often needs to be backed into tight spaces.

Operates a Bobcat 453 skid steer loader and small Kubota tractor (or similar equipment); and ATV with trailers, for the use of transporting and moving materials in and to job sites. This work is regular and recurring and often in heavy pedestrian or  other vehicle use areas, on uneven ground, and at work sites or borrow pits.

Installs safety hand and foot rungs and rails on extremely steep slopes and cliffs, often anchoring steel into granite. Work must often be performed in a safety harness for adequate fall protection. Uses ropes, knots, and slings for safety.

Effectively uses and maintains hand and power tools used in trail construction and maintenance; instructs others in the use of same and performs minor repair and maintenance on same.     

Participates in safety programs and work-related training.

Approximately 35% of Employee assignment is related to Facility Management Software System (FMSS) and Project Management Information System (PMIS).

• Serves as point of contact for all trail related input; output, and operations related to· FMSS- and PMIS. Works with facilities management staff in updating programs, assures trails program is up to date· on applications, and troubleshoots local· problems related to FMSS and


• Provides reports generated through FMSS and PMIS for trails and park management teams for operational, fiscal, and planning purposes.

• Coordinates with field staff and supervisor in implementation and use of the FMSS and PMIS Programs.                      

Job Requirements

Employee has a good working knowledge of techniques for trail construction and maintenance and has the ability to recognize unsafe conditions for self and others.

• Understands and is able to perform maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and construction of a variety of basic non-complex single tier and multi-tier retaining walls, bridge abutments, causeways, stone paved trail tread (walkways), and other structures built from a variety of stone using dry stone masonry techniques. Has the knowledge and skills to construct stone trail features according to their original and historical look and character; through the use of cutting, measuring, and shaping techniques. Is familiar with and able to gather, shape, and cut granite. using rock drills and plugs and Is able to use rotary or gas-powered hammer drills, carbide tipped tracers, and points.

• Has a good working knowledge of basic carpentry related techniques for the construction and repair of a variety of trail Is able to purchase or order most of the necessary materials, with supervision. is able to use on site materials such as cedar logs for project completion. Has the ability to plan basic projects, measure, convey measurements including from shop to field and vice versa, and lay out materials.

• Has a good working knowledge of Grip hoist, wire rope, nylon anchors, chains for rigging highline cable systems. Has the skill to install weight handling gear, such as cables, ropes, blocks (pulleys), slings and chains used to lift, move, and position a variety of large and heavy materials needed on trail construction projects. Is able to install rigging to move large heavy objects across gorges, up and down steep terrain, without the aid of cranes or other mobile material handling equipment, around trees, boulders and other natural obstacles while, minimizing environmental impact. Can ensure safely balanced and secured loads.

• Has an excellent working knowledge of proper bn1shing and trail clearing techniques· as well as trail marking techniques such as blazing mid caim Employee has a good working knowledge of trail erosion control methods such as drainage evaluation, graded and/or sloped tread, water bars or dips, culvert maintenance, and revegetation of eroded areas.

• Employee has the ability to figure slope and grade using site level, clinometers, or Employee is able to do the math necessary to calculate slope and grade, areas of drainage, the volumes of spaces and cubic amounts of material.

• Has the ability to safely drive vehicles up to 26000GVW, including Bobcat loaders and ATVs to transport crews, trail, equipment, and or materials to the job All driving is done where there is potential for injury to workers or pedestrians or there is potential for damage to personal property.

• Must have knowledge of safe installation of hand and foot rungs and rails on extremely steep slopes and cliffs, including the ability to anchor pins and rungs into Must have knowledge of ropes, knots, and slings for safety.

• Must have knowledge of and ability to perform safe operation and maintenance of all hand, power, and shop tools used in trail construction and maintenance, with the ability to perform minor repair on . Knowledge extends to use, maintenance, and repair of chainsaws, self-contained gasoline powered rock chills/breakers vibrating tamper, and other 2 cycle and four stroke engine driven machines. Can instruct others in tool use.

• Must have effective leadership

• Must be able to perform all tasks safely


• Employee must have a thorough knowledge and skill in applying the principles and practices of asset management through the use of FMSS and PMIS.

 Responsibility

Employee works under supervision of a trails work supervisor and/or trails foreman.

Employee may lead and instructs other workers-on the job site. Work assignments are given either orally, written, or as plan drawings. Supervisor lays out most work and checks/visits worksites. Employee uses good judgement and leadership abilities to perform routine work without further instructions or supervision and completes more complex work with minimal supervision in a safe and efficient manner. Employee recognizes problems to be solved and occasionally initiates projects. Employee is able to work with a great deal of independence once supervisor has given directions.                                                    

Employee is able to set up and oversee rigging set ups once they are assigned by supervisor through oral and written instructions with pre-selected gear, tools, and equipment, and in pre-determined locations. Work is spot checked to assure that rigging methods and safety practices are being followed.

Employee is able to oversee and complete masonry projects once they are assigned through written or oral instructions. Supervisor lays out the site, determines proper method of construction and checks work during progress and. Upon completion for accuracy and quality.

Employee is responsible for controlling, manipulating, verifying, and insuring the accuracy of a wide variety of trails related data Employee is responsible for being knowledgeable about FMSS, FCAS, PMIS, and other software programs, and assures trails program is up to date on software applications. Must be able to develop project proposals and provide reports, written or oral, using these systems.

Physical Effort

The position requires very strenuous effort in moving heavy materials to the job site. Employee must be able to hike steep trails in all weather conditions, carry heavy materials to the work site and work in difficult terrain. Employee routinely lifts and carries items over 50 pounds and occasionally over 100 pounds.

Employee hikes to and from the job site daily, transporting tools, personal gear and safety equipment.     

Work
Conditions

Work areas are on hiking trails often miles from the road and on narrow and steep terrain, in hot, cold, or rainy weather. The conditions are often hazardous and in remote locations where help is not readily available in the event of an accident. Employees are exposed to the possibility of bruises, muscle strains, cuts and scrapes and the possibility of greater

injury due to the tasks performed.

Safety

Employee actively participates in an effective safety program to safeguard visitors, employees, Employee is responsible for site safety of his job site, including the safety of park visitors, volunteers, MCC members and regular crewmembers. The use of personal

protection equipment is required.

Other

Work requires the employee to drive various vehicles; a valid state driver's license is required.