Trail Maintenance Crew

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Job Title: Trail Maintenance Crew

Main Goals for This Position to Accomplish:

Volunteers will help maintain trail appearance under the supervision of our park's maintenance team and our community volunteer ambassador. Our mission is to ensure safe and clear pathways for our visitors to utilize throughout the seasons.

Brief Description:

The volunteer is responsible for completing assignments in a satisfactory and timely manner, complying with safety regulations, staying current on necessary training and certifications, the care and maintenance of equipment, working cooperatively with others, and fostering a safe and positive work environment. The Trails Program Supervisor and/or Trail Crew Leaders supervise all work. Work assignments will be evaluated using a performance-based process and completed assignments will be inspected and be required to meet the compliance for the given project. Daily work instructions and assignments are provided orally or in writing. Performance reviews will reflect the employee’s ability to follow these guidelines.

Major duties:

Volunteers for this position will be required to use a variety of hand and power tools to perform trail repair and construction work. This work is performed in front-country and remote wilderness locations often employing minimum tool standards and techniques. These responsibilities include but are not limited to digging ditches, stone wall repairs, grading trail surfaces and installing water-bars and retainer-bars. To facilitate construction of these features you will be required to operate jackhammers, chainsaws, gas-powered drills, picks, rock-bars, hammers, shovels, and various other hand and power tools. Some tools require certification prior to operation. You will be required to obtain and provide certification documents prior to use of these tools. Other activities may include:

• Removing sticks and logs from trail path
• To pinpoint, mark, and notify maintenance of potential hazards along the trail
• To maintain, clean and safe trails
• Occasionally conduct liter pickup

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to operate and field-service light motorized equipment
• Ability to operate and maintain hand tools
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to work on steep and narrow surfaces
• Skill/familiarity with climbing equipment
• Volunteer must be fit and able to hike and perform strenuous labor.
• Employees must maintain a drug and alcohol free work place. All policies regarding drug and alcohol will be addressed upon acceptance of position. Use of drugs or alcohol will be terms for immediate dismissal of duty.
• This position may require schedule changes based on weather concerns.
• Follow directions from supervisor/ lead
• Follow all DO-7 and RM-7 requirements
• Must sign appropriate JHA forms
• Must be able to lift a minimal weight of 25lbs
• Must be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to work independently or in groups

Laborers are expected to exert a great deal of physical effort while repairing trails. Travel to and from work can take several hours and can require hiking 3-4 miles to the jobsite and 3-4 miles back at day’s end, often carrying packs and/or tools exceeding fifty pounds in weight. Trail repair work consists of moving rock, soil and other building materials by hand. These objects can weigh in excess of 100 pounds.

Work Environment:

Volunteers will check-in at the beginning of their shifts before starting to properly document volunteer hours. The volunteer's hours will be mainly outside unless weather permits that day. Alabama is known to have all four seasons, so dressing for the current season is a must.

Uniform:

Volunteers must prioritize professionalism. Crop tops, sandals, flip-flops, shorty shorts, etc. are not permitted. It is advised to wear clothing that may get soiled like plain colored t-shirts, jeans/ khakis, and tennis shoes/ hiking boots. A volunteer service vest will be provided and must be returned at the end of every shift. No political or profanity representation allowed while representing our National Park.

Start Date - 2025-02-12

End Date - 2025-12-01