Job: Long Trail Patrol Trail Crew

Jobing Description

The Long Trail Patrol (LTP) was established in 1931 as the official trail crew of the Green Mountain Club. The crew focuses on the heavy work of building and rehabilitating trails and shelters. The crew uses hand tools and primitive construction skills. The work is physically strenuous. The Patrol lives in the backcountry with limited creature comforts. Working on the LTP is an opportunity to share, and hone, trail maintenance techniques with fellow crew members and with GMC volunteers.

The GMC usually operates three trail crews - two with paid crew members and one made up of volunteers. (The number of crews, and the exact length of the crew season, may vary each year depending on available projects.) The LTP does work on the entire length of Long Trail and also on important hiking trails throughout Vermont. (The Volunteer LTP, though, focuses on southern Vermont, where the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail coincide.) GMC trail crews cooperate closely with land management organizations including the State of Vermont, Green Mountain National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail Conference.

Description (Paid Crew): Each crew usually consists of six men and women, including a Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader. The crew season is from mid-June through September (possibly longer, weather permitting). The LTP works 40 hours per week, requiring five days and four nights working and camping in the backcountry. CREWS WORK IN THE RAIN! Crew members provide their own personal camping gear and also their own food. Days-off housing is available. Transportation to the work site, tools, and some group equipment (such as stove, cooking gear, first-aid kit and tents) are provided.

Qualifications: Must have desire to work hard and live outside. Must have endurance to carry heavy loads and do physical work all day. Must have emotional maturity to work together with others to accomplish big jobs. Crew work is not a solitary experience! Applicants should have ability to live and work closely with others in remote and primitive surroundings, often in adverse weather. LTP crews encounter many hikers and must be outgoing and personable. This job requires willingness to observe safety rules, share equally in work and camp duties, work with GMC volunteers, and accept the direction of Crew Leaders. Knowledge of tool use and trail building techniques is desirable. We will train on the job.