On-trail Position Descriptions
Make a visible impact and feel rewarded by volunteering for the Trail
Conference on-trail! Descriptions of the types of opportunities are listed below.
Click here for our current On-trail Vacancies. |
Trail Crew members also volunteer on-trail. Click here for more information and crew schedules.
Position | DESCRIPTION | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A.T. Endangered Plant Monitor |
The Trail Conference is supporting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and National Park Service in monitoring endangered plants along the A.T., and we have an opening for a volunteer to be a part of this Natural Heritage Monitoring program in the upcoming growing season. Each volunteer is assigned to check on a single species in a specific location and will probably only need to make one visit per year.
You'll be asked for a brief description of your background and experience with plant identification. |
||||||||||||
A.T. Natural Heritage Monitor |
A.T. Natural Heritage Monitor |
||||||||||||
Appalachian Trail Corridor Monitor |
Have a passion for the Appalachian Trail? Become a monitor of the trail boundaries that surround this historic, beloved trail.Responsibilities
TrainingTrained by Corridor Manager or attend NYNJTC monitoring workshop in both field and skills work
Please note that you must be 18 or older to apply for this volunteer position. If you are under 18, please have your guardian apply for the Corridor Monitor position and then you may volunteer with them. Apply here to become a Trail Corridor Monitor.
|
||||||||||||
Ashokan Rail Trail Steward |
After years of planning and construction, Ulster County is preparing to open the first segment of the Ashokan Rail Trail in mid-October. As we prepare for this partial opening, we have partnered with the County and Woodstock Land Conservancy on a volunteer Trail Steward program, which is where you would come in! Trail Stewards will help ensure that the new trail is enjoyed and used responsibly by all, as well as help to keep the County informed about trail maintenance issues that arise. We’re looking for friendly people to greet new trail users and help with any questions they might have about the new trail or the local area. Stewards can work on bicycle patrol or stationary at the trailhead parking areas. Stewards are needed Saturday and/or Sunday during 4 shifts:
Want to join this important team of trail stewards? E-mail Kimberly Daley at [email protected] to sign up!
|
||||||||||||
Assistant Trail Chair |
Assistant Trail Chair |
||||||||||||
Assistant Trail Supervisor |
Assistant Trail Supervisor |
||||||||||||
ATC Mid-Atlantic Crew | |||||||||||||
Bear Mountain Project Manager |
Bear Mountain Project Manager |
||||||||||||
Bear Mtn - Steering Committee Member |
Bear Mtn - Steering Committee Member |
||||||||||||
Camp Host-Hostess |
Camp Host-Hostess |
||||||||||||
Camp Repair Manager |
Camp Repair Manager |
||||||||||||
Catskill Park Volunteer |
Volunteers in the Catskill Park are responsibile for a number of stewardship activities, including work on trails, lean-tos, fire towers, fishing areas, boat launches and more. The Trail Conference helps the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) manage these efforts in the region. In addition to the 200 miles of trail and 29 lean-tos that the Trail Conference has direct responsibility for, we work with our partners in the region to identify volunteer opportunities park wide on a multitude of stewardship activities. |
||||||||||||
Catskill Program Coordinator |
Catskill Program Coordinator |
||||||||||||
Catskills Lean-to LTC Chair |
Core Responsibilities
Support and Training
Responsibility Details
Big Picture Planning
|
||||||||||||
Catskills Outreach Volunteer |
The Trail Conference is seeking a volunteer with a considerable knowledge of trails in the Catskills to educate the public about our organization, what we do for the trails, and how they can join us! The Catskills Outreach Volunteer will be responsible for maintaining a table at the Woodstock Farm Festival from now until mid-October, and is comfortable with sales and would encourage the use of our original maps. The ideal candidate has a passion for trails and wants to share that passion with others!
Don’t know everything about the Trail Conference? That’s okay! We will teach you everything you need to know to go forth and spread the trail love!
|
||||||||||||
Chainsaw Sawyer |
Someone with a current USFS certification that volunteers as a Trail Conference Sawyer. |
||||||||||||
Chainsaw Swamper |
Someone approved by a Class B sawyer and other requirements TBD. Perferably has First Aid and CPR certificates. |
||||||||||||
Chainsaw USFS Certification Instructor |
Chainsaw USFS Certification Instructor |
||||||||||||
Club Co-Hike Chair |
Club Co-Hike Chair |
||||||||||||
Club Co-Trails Chair |
Club Co-Trails Chair |
||||||||||||
Conservation Corps Crew Member |
Our Mission StatementThe New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Conservation Corps trains the next generation of environmental stewards to preserve the integrity of trails and natural areas and engage volunteers to inspire a deeper appreciation for the care that open space requires. What We DoThe Trail Conference Conservation Corps trains, enables, and empowers future conservation leaders by teaching sustainable trail building and stewardship techniques. Our Corps crews engage and teach community volunteers on the responsible use and care of open space by addressing the needs of land managers. Where We LiveThe Conservation Corps offers optional housing at the Welch Trail Education Center both for our Corps Members and the amazing Volunteers that are such and essential part of what we do. Located in Harriman State Park the WTEC offers a beautiful Lakeside setting with rustic cabins, a communal commercial grade kitchen, and hot showers for after a hard days work! We offer classes and other workshops here as well that are open to the public including Wilderness and Remote First Aid, CPR and AED as well as many others. |
||||||||||||
Director of Land Stewardship |
Director of Land Stewardship |
||||||||||||
East Hudson Program Coordinator |
East Hudson Program Coordinator |
||||||||||||
East Hudson Regional Representative |
East Hudson Regional Representative |
||||||||||||
Environmental Monitor |
Environmental Monitor |
||||||||||||
Field Manager |
SummaryThe Field Manager provides trail layout and design, trail solutions, technical trail-building expertise and support, construction management, and training to volunteers and Conservation Corps trail crews. S/he reports to the Senior Field Manager and works closely with Trail Conference staff, volunteers, and numerous partner agencies and contracted clients. An expert trail designer and builder, s/he functions as both a trainer and crew manager and is committed to building crews through training, mentoring, and ongoing support. Responsibilities:
|
||||||||||||
Fire Tower Steward |
Fire Tower Steward |
||||||||||||
Hike Writer |
Write descriptions of hikes in selected regions to add to our website. You need to enjoy hiking and be willing to carefully document routes, features, and take photos. Work doesn't get more fun than this! |
||||||||||||
Intern - Invasive |
Intern - Invasive |
||||||||||||
Intern - RC AmeriCorp |
Intern - RC AmeriCorp |
||||||||||||
Intern - SCA |
Intern - SCA |
||||||||||||
Intern SCA Crew Leader |
Intern SCA Crew Leader |
||||||||||||
Invasive Insect Trap Monitor |
The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect native to parts of Asia that enjoys munching on grapes, hops, and other fruit bearing plants, which poses a great threat to both our forests and local farmers! While they haven't been found in our region, infestations have been seen in neighboring Pennsylvania. The training course offered will teach trap monitors about the ecological threat of invasive insects, how to identify Spotted Lanternfly, how to identify their host tree tree-of-heaven, how to put up the traps and trap check procedures. Each volunteer will be assigned a general area to put traps and will be selecting their own individual sites for the traps. Monitors will check their trap(s) every two weeks throughout the summer. Volunteers will be provided with supplies needed. Easy and appropriate for kids! |
||||||||||||
Invasive Strike Force - Other |
Invasive Strike Force - Other |
||||||||||||
Invasive Strike Force Crew Member |
Invasive Strike Force Crew Member |
||||||||||||
Invasive Strike Force Surveyor |
Help find the next problem invaders that threaten our region's natural areas...Become a Trail & Ecology (T&E) volunteer! (formerly Invasives Strike Force Surveyor volunteer) This iteration of our citizen science survey programming will now exclusively target species that have been identified as high-priority species by Lower Hudson PRISM partners and other regional and state agency collaborators. As a T&E volunteer, you have the opportunity to become a forest health detective! Volunteers are trained in the identification and reporting of invasive species by attending a fun and interactive webinar, complete with field ID footage, to help learn what key ID features to look for when out in the field. Volunteers are then assigned a section of trail to search for these invasive plants and have the entire summer and early fall to survey and report back to us. Trail section assignments are individually tailored to make it easy and convenient for that volunteer to access, and each volunteer can survey their trail assignment on their own schedule. Our goal is to make it fun, educational, and convenient to help protect the land you love! Data from these community-powered surveys are utilized to help make management decisions to help fight the further spread of invasive species into our natural areas and to organize volunteer workdays to help with the removal of invasive plants. Not only will you learn how to identify invasive plants as part of your ISF experience, but you will also learn how to use some user-friendly mobile apps to help identify many other types of native plants and wildlife that you are seeing along your hike or in your neighborhood. It truly takes the nature experience to the next level! Please sign up today!
|
||||||||||||
Invasives Strike Force Crew Chief |
The Invasives Strike Force Crew Chief leads out ISF crew in the removal of Invasive Species |
||||||||||||
Local Trail Committee (LTC) Chair |
SummaryThe Local Trail Committee Chair (Trail Chair) is an important part of the Trail Conference. Our Trail Chairs take the big-picture view of a region and work with a Program Coordinator to build a positive future for all the trails and volunteers they oversee. Trail Chairs support and empower a team of Trail Supervisors and identify the short- and long-term needs of the trails in their assigned area to ensure the public has a safe and positive experience in the outdoors.Apply below!
Core Responsibilities
Support and TrainingNew Trail Chairs will be provided an onboarding packet when starting their position and will receive ongoing guidance from their Program Coordinator. Additionally, they will have the support of the Volunteer Engagement team. Regional Trails Council (RTC) meetings provide the opportunity to network and learn from fellow volunteer leaders. Knowledge sharing with peers is a fantastic way to grow skills and expertise. Responsibility DetailsManaging the Trails and Team of Volunteers
Big Picture Planning
Current Positions AvailableNew York West Hudson- Southern Shawangunks. The Southern Shawangunks region spans from the New York/New Jersey border at High Point State Park, north to Shawangunk Ridge State Forest, and west to the Neversink River Unique Area. The Trail Chair for this region works hand-in-hand with the Trail Supervisors who oversee main-
Apply to be a Trail Chair Here!
|
||||||||||||
Multi-Use Trails Chair |
Chair of an ad hoc committee of Trails Council to look into some multiuse trail issues. |
||||||||||||
Native and Invasive Plant Photographer |
If you have a passion for photography and are looking to learn more about the amazing biodiversity of our region, please join the Trail Conference in building an image library of the flora of Northern New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. These high-quality photographs will be used on our web site and in publications and presentations to teach others about plants found along our trails and in our natural areas. Responsibilities include:
Preferred Qualifications:
The work will be done primarily outdoors along trails and in natural areas with monthly trips to the office in Mahwah, New Jersey to upload and file images. Expect an approximately 1 hour introduction to the project in the Mahwah office and additional guidance as needed throughout the program season. No age requirement! |
||||||||||||
Park Ranger |
Park Ranger |
||||||||||||
Photographer | PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED TO CAPTURE THE SUBLIME, THE GRIT, AND THE CAMARADERIE OF PEOPLE WORKING AND WALKING IN NATURE: Looking for a creative assignment outside? Want to support the Trail Conference without getting dirty? Consider photography. The Trail Conference seeks photos of people in nature and Trail Volunteers at work for use in Trail Walker, other publications, and our website. | ||||||||||||
PRISM Volunteer |
PRISM Volunteer |
||||||||||||
Privy Caretaker |
Maintains privies at shelters. |
||||||||||||
Program Coordinator |
Program Coordinator |
||||||||||||
Publications Book Field Checker |
Help update the material in a new or revised book by visiting parks and hiking the trails. |
||||||||||||
Publications Field Checker |
SummaryHelp us create the high-quality maps and guidebooks that are trusted by trail users throughout the region!A Publications Field Checker plays an important role in the production of our maps and books, helping to ensure our popular publications are as accurate and up-to-date as possible. A Field Checker helps review and verify maps, trail descriptions, and information about a park as part of a map or book project, visiting the trails and reporting on what they find. The region and parks to be checked are dependent on the specific project. The Field Checker works with a volunteer Project Manager and the Publications Committee. As of spring 2022, there is an immediate need for Field Checkers for a revised edition of the Hiking Long Island book and a new in-progress book for Morris County, Afoot in Morris.
Core Responsibilities
Support and TrainingIf you feel you might not have the necessary skills but are interested in learning, we can help you develop the skills! The Field Checker will be supported by a volunteer Project Manager, who will be managing different components of the map or book project on behalf of the Publications Committee. The volunteers on the Publications Committee have decades-worth of field-checking and overall publications experience, and they can share best practices for this position. This committee welcomes volunteers who are interested in contributing to our efforts to produce and market authoritative trail resources for our region!
Responsibility Details
Apply to be a Publications Field Checker Here! |
||||||||||||
Publications GPS |
Publications GPS |
||||||||||||
Publications Map Field Checker |
Publications Map Field Checker |
||||||||||||
Regional Representative Assistant |
Regional Representative Assistant |
||||||||||||
Ridge Runner |
Ridge Runner |
||||||||||||
Roving Trail Maintainer |
Roving Trail Maintainers are assigned to specific Supervisor Regions/Parks as maintainers but they are not given a specific assignment. Their Supervisor asks them to visit certain trails as needed throughout the season. |
||||||||||||
Roving Trail Team |
The Trail Conference stewards over 2,000 miles of trails from the Delaware Water Gap to the Catskills, and sometimes jobs arise that can’t be handled by a local Maintainer or Trail Crew. That’s where Roving Trail Teams come in!By signing up to our Roving Trail Team emailing list, you’ll hear about all the local opportunities to help out such as maintaining, clipping, reblazing, building, or restoring trails under the guidance of other volunteers or staff. Whenever an opportunity comes up we’ll send out an email to the list, and you can jump on to each adventure you’d like to take part in. Not interested or available? No worries, simply don’t respond! It’s totally up to you what opportunities you take. This is a great option for people who want to travel and see different trails and parks. The only qualification to join the team is a sense of enthusiasm and willingness to work hard (surrounded by stunning vistas). We encourage everyone to take our Trail Maintenance Workshop before signing onto the list, but all Roving Trail Team events will welcome people new to trail work.
Click here to become a Roving Trail Team member!Please note that you must be 18 or older to apply for the Roving Trail Team. If you are under 18, please have your guardian apply for the position and then you may volunteer with them. |
||||||||||||
RTC Chair |
SummaryThe Regional Trails Chair (" RTC") will lead their RTC region in coordinating operational activities and issues within a specific geographic region. The RTCs will also collaborate together in a roundtable meeting on a regular or as needed basis along with staff to knowledge share and provide input on policies. They will collaborate with the Regional Program Coordinator to match organizational goals and objectives with an annual plan that coordinates activities within the region. Responsibilities
|
||||||||||||
Sawyer Committee Chair |
The Sawyer Committee Chair leads and manages the sawyer program for the Trail Conference. |
||||||||||||
Trail Builder/Educator |
Trail Builder/Educator |
||||||||||||
Trail Co-Supervisor |
Co-Supervisor for Trail |
||||||||||||
Trail Corridor Manager |
Responsibilities
Training
|
||||||||||||
Trail Crew Chief |
A Trail Crew Chief's primary role is that of a resource and project manager. It encompasses the multiple areas of expertise and experience needed to manage a successful trail crew within the structure of the Trail Conference. Responsibilities:
Training
|
||||||||||||
Trail Crew Chief Assistant |
Are you not inclined to do the heavy work of trail building but would like to support our trail crews? Here is an opportunity to become an important part of building and repairing our hiking trails by becoming a Trail Crew Chief Assistant. The work will involve contacting prospective recruits for the crew, keeping records of the work done and the people who volunteered, as well as other duties as requested by the Trail Crew Chief. If you’re comfortable working with people, have some organizational skills and time during the spring, summer and fall, then this kind of work could be just right for you. |
||||||||||||
Trail Crew Leader |
A Trail Crew Leader's primary roll is the execution of specific projects as defined by the Crew Chief. It encompasses more of the field-work expertise needed for the physical execution of a given set of tasks and/or projects. Responsibilities
Training
|
||||||||||||
Trail Crew Member |
Join one of our Trail Crews for a day or a full season restoring and building sustainable trails for all!With over 2,500 volunteers, the New York New Jersey Trail Conference does amazing things to preserve, promote, and protect the trails. Our volunteer Trail Crews are instrumental in being stewards of the land and maintaining the integrity of trails.
Trail Crews build, restore, and create new reroutes of trails when needed throughout parks in New York and New Jersey. Additionally, our amazing volunteer crews build footbridges, create stone stairs, and place stepping stones across streams to generally improve the hiking experience for all trail users! No experience is needed and training is given on site. Be part of a team that gives back to the trails you love and enjoy creating solutions that last generations.
The only qualifications to joining the team is a sense of enthusiasm and willingness to work hard surrounded by stunning vistas.
Apply here to become a Trail Crew Member
|
||||||||||||
Trail Maintainer |
Become a part of the Trail Conference family and adopt a trail of your very own!Trail Conference volunteers are outdoor-loving people who want to make a difference. People just like you!From the Catskills all the way to the Delaware Water Gap, the majority of our 2,200 volunteers are Trail Maintainers. Each Trail Maintainer "adopts" a section of trail to ensure the best possible experience for fellow users. Responsibilities include keeping the trail clear, making sure it's well-marked, and reporting major issues. Each Maintainer is expected to hike and care for their adopted trail at least twice a year and report their efforts back to their volunteer supervisor. No experience is necessary. Training is provided through our Introduction to Trail Maintenance workshops or with the experienced volunteer who serves as the Trail Supervisor in your region.
Please note that you must be 18 or older to apply for this volunteer position. If you are under 18, please have your guardian apply for the Trail Maintainer position and then you may volunteer with them.
Apply here to become a Trail Maintainer.
Location: New York and New Jersey |
||||||||||||
Trail Measuring and Inventory |
Trail Measuring and Inventory |
||||||||||||
Trail Overseer |
Trail Overseer |
||||||||||||
Trail Projects Coordinator |
Trail Projects Coordinator |
||||||||||||
Trail Race Aid Volunteer |
Each year, the Trail Conference is regularly represented at trail races throughout the region. Volunteers often assist at aid stations that provide water fill-ups and first-aid, with sign up and gear management, marshalling on the course, and whatever else that the Trail Conference can contribute to keep the runners on the trail and healthy! There is also the opportunity to provide outreach materials, maps, books, and general information on what we do and how others can get involved and join us in stewardship. The type of opportunities vary with each race and are listed below. Since 1920, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has been committed to educating and assisting the public in the safe, enjoyable, and responsible use of trails. Become a Trail Race Aid Volunteer to be a part of that legacy! Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Applicants must be 18 years or older or accompanied by an adult Current trail race volunteer opportunities and registration links:
*Please sign up for these opportunities through the registration links provided on this page.
|
||||||||||||
Trail Register Caretaker |
Trail Register Caretaker |
||||||||||||
Trail Steward |
Since 1920, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has been committed to educating and assisting the public in the safe, enjoyable, and responsible use of trails. To advance our efforts, in 2013 we began deploying Trail Stewards at popular hiking destinations. This season, awesome volunteer Trail Stewards are needed at Gertrude's Nose in the stunning Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Bear Mountain and throughout the Catskills. Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Applicants should demonstrate the interest and ability to contribute to the public-service effort of working to promote the responsible use of trails, volunteerism, and membership in the Trail Conference. Applicants must be 18 years or older and proper hiking footwear is required. The Trail Steward is responsible for providing their own weather appropriate clothing/gear. *Trail Stewards are needed for Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Bear Mountain and the Catskills.
|
||||||||||||
Trail Steward for Hudson Highlands |
Do you love experiencing the natural beauty of the Hudson Highlands? Do you want to help visitors preserve our landscapes while enjoying the trails? Become a Trail Steward!Join the Trail Conference and the Hudson Highland Land Trust as we create a Volunteer Trail Steward Program for Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve! Our seasonal Trail Stewards educate trail users about natural resource protection, trail safety, and Leave No Trace principles to protect our trails and landscapes in the Hudson Valley and minimize the need for First Aid and Rescues.
Position Details This is a seasonal position from May through October however we welcome volunteers who are also interested in making this a long-term position if interested. Volunteers are required to commit a minimum of 2 hours (one shift) per month for the official season and to complete a digital report each time they volunteer.
How to Get Started Complete our Trail Steward Volunteer Application, then watch the Trail Steward webinar. Once your application is received, you will be contacted by the Trail Conference Trail Steward Program Coordinator and Volunteer Team for an interview, and if selected for the role, the next step will be an in-person training session.
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].
Volunteer Steward Application | New York-New Jersey Trail Conference |
||||||||||||
Trail Supervisor |
SummaryTrail Supervisors are a key part of the Trail Conference. They are the boots on the ground that oversee a team of Trail Maintainers and ensure the trails in their assigned area are maintained in good condition. Without our Trail Supervisors, we couldn’t maintain over 2,000 miles of trails so that the public has a safe and positive experience in the outdoors.Apply below! Core Responsibilities
Support and TrainingNew Trail Supervisors will be provided an onboarding packet when starting their position and will receive ongoing guidance from their Trail Chair. Additionally, they will have the support of their Program Coordinator and the Volunteer Engagement team. Regional Trails Council (RTC) meetings provide the opportunity to network and learn from fellow volunteer leaders. Knowledge sharing with peers is a fantastic way to grow skills and expertise. Responsibility DetailsManaging Maintainers
Big-Picture Planning
Current Positions AvailableWest Hudson- Catskills New York- Willowemoc-Beaverkill
Apply to be a Trail Supervisor Here!
|
||||||||||||
Trail Vice Chair |
Trail Vice Chair |
||||||||||||
Trails Council Attendee |
Trails Council Attendee |
||||||||||||
Trails Director |
Trails Director |
||||||||||||
Videographer |
Videographer |