Southern New England Trail Crew Member

Dates: May 18– Oct 30, 2026

Location Noble View Outdoor Center, Russell, MA

Supervisor: Trail Programs Manager—Southern New England

Salary range: $16.00-19.00 Hourly, 40 hours/week

Experience is welcome, but not necessary! AMC’s Professional Trail Crew has Crew Member positions available for new and seasoned trail workers, with hourly wages commensurate with experience. Employees can opt in to housing and food seven days a week at Noble View for $75 per week. A wide variety of food is available, and all dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Season dates are May 18– Oct 30, 2026. Preference given for employees who can work the full season, but short season employment is available for Summer (May 18-Aug 13) and Fall (Aug 17-Oct 30).

New Crew Members benefit from experienced trail workers providing leadership, training, guidance, and mentorship. Field Supervisors and Coordinators plan and lead the technical project work, while Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders supervise and guide the crew in the implementation. Returning and experienced Crew Members are paid at a higher rate and are expected to provide peer mentorship.

No two trail projects are the same; some work expected in 2026 includes: constructing technical rock structures to make the trail more durable, using hand tools to shape a new trail alignment from the woods, operating machinery to build surfaced All-Persons Trails, and building bridges and boardwalks to keep hikers above the water.

Trail crew works ten-hour days, most often Monday through Thursday with a three-day weekend. For projects further afield, crews work eight-day “hitches” with six days off. Most projects include camping on site for days on, both backcountry camping and car camping. All work stints, either four or eight days, begin and end at an AMC base, almost always Noble View. Crews usually work in four or five-person teams, but smaller and larger teams are possible.

Work trucks get the crew to and from project work; all travel time, hike time, mobilization and demobilization is paid. AMC provides tents and camp kitchen equipment; employees provide their own packs, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, clothes and personal gear. AMC staff can help find loaner gear to start for people new to the work.

What you’ll be doing at AMC:

Participate in all aspects of the construction of trail structures like staircases, drainages, bridges, and retaining walls.

Safely and effectively use machinery including power wheelbarrows and plate compactors with training and supervision.

Safely and effectively use hand tools like pick mattocks, rock bars, hammers, loppers, saws, axes, and pulaskis with training and supervision.

Safely and effectively use power tools such as drills, drivers, reciprocating saws, and generators with training and supervision.

Safely and effectively use rigging equipment such as winches, cable, blocks, shackles, and slings with training and supervision.

Hike to and from project sites over rugged backcountry terrain, carrying tools and equipment.

Work in and be prepared for nearly all weather conditions including rain, heat, humidity and bluebird days.

Work in as low-impact a way as is possible. Revegetate impacted areas and worksites.

Assist with backcountry camp chores; cooking, cleaning, proper food storage, etc.

Whenever possible, contribute to the crew with a positive mental attitude.

Professionally represent the AMC to the public and cooperating agencies. Maintain a neat and professional appearance as much as is possible given the circumstances.