Field Leader - Trail Stewardship Project Leader

Leader Host Site Name: North Country Trail Association

Leader Host Site Location: New York State – Adirondack Park/West Canada Lake Wilderness

Leader Host Site Supervisor:

Name: Will Brazill

Title: Regional Trail Coordinator

Position Start Date: 11/03/2026

Position End Date: 11/20/2026

Full-time field service schedule as established by SCA and NCTA: M-F 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with project work occurring primarily during November. Daily work will occur during daylight hours and will be dependent on weather, trail conditions, daylight hours, and other field conditions.

• →Oversee crew of 3 SCA Trail Stewardship Leaders, including maintaining SCA’s risk and safety standards in the field, approving leader time logs, and reporting updates, incidents and concerns back to NCTA and SCA staff.
• →Participate in backcountry trail maintenance assignments within the West Canada Lake Wilderness.
• →Hike to and from the remote work locations while carrying personal equipment, food, water, and required work equipment.
• →Prepare for and safely work in variable late-season weather conditions, including cold temperatures, rain, snow, and wet or muddy trail conditions.
• →Maintain personal and crew safety while working in a remote wilderness setting.
• →Clear vegetation encroaching on established trail corridor using hand loppers and handsaws.
• →Remove woody vegetation and minor blowdown that obstructs or restricts the trail corridor.
• →Clean and maintain existing trail drainage features using hazel hoes, shovels, rakes and other appropriate hand tools.
• →Remove leaves, sediment, soil, and other accumulated material from drainage features to restore proper water flow.
• →Address minor drainage and tread issues using appropriate low-impact trail maintenance techniques.
• →Maintain a consistent, walkable trail corridor while minimizing disturbance to surrounding vegetation and soils.
• →Safely transport, use, and cache hand tools while working in remote and uneven terrain.
• →Identify significant trail hazards, erosion problems, structural deficiencies, or other maintenance needs that are beyond the scope of assigned work and report them to the NCTA supervisor
• →Follow all applicable safety procedures, wilderness regulations, land-manager requirements, and NCTA trail-maintenance standards.
• →Work cooperatively as part of a trail stewardship crew and assist with other related trail maintenance activities as assigned.
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  Reporting Requirements: Leader will maintain accurate timesheets and complete required SCA service documentation. Leader will communicate regularly with the NCTA host-site supervisor regarding work completed, field conditions, safety concerns, and additional maintenance needs identified during service. Any required SCA monthly and quarterly reports will be completed according to SCA program requirements.

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  Timesheets submitted Weekly

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  Monthly Data Reports: Leader will provide required monthly service and accomplishment information to SCA and NCTA, including service hours, projects activities, and work completed.

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  Quarterly Narrative Reports: Leader will complete required quarterly narrative reporting in accordance with SCA program requirements.

• Goal 1: Complete assigned trail corridor clearing on the French Louie trail (NCNST), maintaining an appropriate and walkable trail corridor while minimizing impacts to surrounding vegetation.
• Goal 2: Complete assigned drainage/maintenance work using hand tools and low-impact techniques to improve water management and reduce minor erosion and drainage-related trail problems.
• Goal 3: Successfully participate in multi-day backcountry trail maintenance assignments while demonstrating safe tool use, Leave No Trace principles, effective crew communication, and sound judgement in remote field conditions.

• High School Diploma/GED/or willingness to obtain one before start of the program
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work for extended periods and hike while carrying a backpack with personal gear and work supplies
• Ability to work safely in remote backcountry settings and variable late-season weather conditions
• Willingness to hike into and out of the work area daily and work effectively as part of a crew
• Ability to work effectively as part of & leader of a crew
• willingness to perform physically demanding outdoor work
• ability to follow directions and established safety procedures
• good communication and problem-solving skills
• willingness to learn and safely use hand tools

• Prior hiking and trail maintenance experience

• Basic knowledge of outdoor recreation, conservation, trail stewardship, backpacking, or natural resource management

• Safe use of loppers, handsaws, hazel hoes, shovels, and other hand tools
• trail corridor clearing
• drainage maintenance
• wilderness work practices
• hazard identification
• Leave No Trace principles
• cold-weather field preparedness
• crew communication
• appropriate response to trail conditions or hazards beyond the scope of assigned work
• Leader will receive orientation from SCA and NCTA covering prohibited and unallowable activities, organizational policies, workplace expectations, service requirements, applicable land-manager regulations, wilderness ethics, backcountry safety, camping practices, tool safety, and emergency procedures
• Leaders will gain practical experience working with a nonprofit trail organization and public land management partners in a remote wilderness environment.

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.