Summit Steward

Summit Steward, Friends of Acadia

Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine

Compensation: $17.85/hr

Service periods:  

May 28-August 17, 2024 (2 positions available) 

May 28-September 14, 2024 (1 position available) 

May 28-November 2, 2024(3 positions available)

Deadline for Applications: February 5, 2024

Imagine sharing your love of public lands and fostering stewardship with people while on Acadia National Park’s mountains and trails.

Friends of Acadia is hiring Summit Stewards for the 2024 season. The Summit Stewards are an interdisciplinary team that work alongside Acadia National Park (ANP) staff to improve the visitor experience and reduce visitor impacts in the park. Summit Stewards traverse the trails of Acadia promoting Leave No Trace stewardship, interpreting the natural and cultural resources, and performing trail maintenance to preserve trail sustainability. Summit Stewards spend 2 days per week on Cadillac Mountain’s trails and summit and 3 days per week on trails and summits throughout Acadia. Summit Stewards work under ANP’s Visitor Experience and Education Division and therefore must comply with National Park Service volunteer agreements and standards.

FOA is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment for visitors, volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

Interpretation and Education- 45% of work duties

1. Engages, educates, and assists diverse visitors on Acadia’s trails and summits by: teaching Leave No Trace principles and the natural and cultural history of ANP; utilizing interpretive techniques; offering trail guidance, regulatory information, information about FOA and ANP, maps, and first aid.
2. Communicates professionally with park visitors, members of the Summit Stewards team, and Friends of Acadia (FOA) and Acadia National Park (ANP) staff while assisting with all assigned job duties.

Trails Maintenance- 25% of work duties

1. Builds rock cairns and destroys misleading rock stacks (REQUIRES HEAVY LIFTING) and performs small-scale trail maintenance such as: blocking social paths, pruning, picking up trash, installing signs, etc.

Resource Management & Visitor Protection- 25% of work duties

1. Staffs Cadillac Mountain summit during midday and sunset once each per week, including times of inclement weather, to perform all duties with an added component of traffic monitoring.
2. May conduct or distribute surveys for visitor use monitoring and research projects.
3. May be called upon to provide first aid and assist with ANP search and rescue operations.

Administration- 5% of work duties

1. Records daily patrol log of work activities and observations.
2. Assists coordinator with end-of-season reporting and presentation.
3. Assists with special events: Take Pride in Acadia Day, FOA Annual Meeting and Benefit, etc.
4. Performs other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Dedication to minimizing recreational impacts through following the Leave No Trace Principles.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about interpretation and education practices.
• Applicant should be reliable, prepared for field work daily, and capable of managing their daily schedule.
• Passion for the preservation of National Parks and public lands, especially Acadia National Park.
• Familiarity with word processing and data entry.
• Flexibility to adapt to quickly changing work demands and schedules.
• Possess strong work ethic and ability to work on one’s own and as a team.

Requirements:

• Motivation to engage and inspire visitors daily and excellent communication skills.
• Hiking or outdoor experience. Must be capable of hiking up to 10 miles per day wearing a pack, working in inclement weather and on steep terrain, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Applicants must be available for the entire season.
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable vehicle for driving to job sites. Applicants will be expected to use their own automobiles and will be reimbursed for mileage beyond their daily commute to park headquarters.
• Must be able to attend the Leave No Trace Trainer course in June which may include one night of camping.
• Applicants will be required to pass a background check.

Uniforms/Equipment: Summit Stewards maintain appearances consistent with Acadia National Park’s uniform and grooming standards. Uniform shirts, rain jacket, puffy jacket for fall staff, hat, safety-toe boots, first aid kit, backpack, and personal protective equipment are provided. A stipend will be provided for purchasing pants or shorts that meet uniform standards.

Compensation: $17.85/hr paid every two weeks. Hours: 40 hrs/wk including holidays and weekends. Shifts are regularly from 8 am – 4:30 pm, with one sunset shift (late shift) per week. Employees will have 2 consecutive days off per week. Unpaid days off can be scheduled with your supervisor.  

Housing: Not provided; applicants will be expected to find their own housing. Work Environment: Most work is performed outside in all weather conditions. There is some office work based at ANP’s headquarters.

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references.   Please indicate which service period you are interested in applying for.  Application Deadline February 5, 2024.  

Friends of Acadia is an equal opportunity employer. Founded in 1986, the organization’s mission is to preserve, protect, and promote stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and the surrounding community for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.

It is the policy of FOA to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees in compliance with all applicable laws. This policy applies in all aspects of the employment relationship including (but not limited to) recruiting, selection, placement, supervision, working conditions, compensation, training, promotion, and termination. 

FOA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, reproductive health decision-making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, in connection with any aspect of employment at FOA.