[at-l] Backcountry Caretakers Wanted for AMC employment this summer.

[Casey Horrigan]

Hey everyone.

One of my first tasks as the new Backcountry Field Coordinator this
summer is to help finish hiring for the upcoming Caretaker season.
Currently there are two positions open to fill, and currently we do
not have a very big applicant pool of qualified or experienced
candidates. If you would be interested in working as a Backcountry
Caretaker and would like to apply for a position, please email me or
fill out a seasonal application form at:

AMC Seasonal Employment:
www.outdoors.org/employment

Please note that this is for managing a Backcountry Campsite/Shelter
with a focus on backcountry resource management, public education, and
trail/campsite rehabilitation. This is not a hut job nor is it a
hospitality position. The season starts on May 30 and goes through
September 10, with a possibility of continued employment until end of
September. We are currently only looking for applicatants who's
availability matches that.

Here is the job description, please contact me if you have any questions:

AMC Backcountry Campsite & Shelter Caretaker/Rotator

Summary:

In cooperation with the White Mountain National Forest and the State
of Maine, the AMC places caretakers at the most heavily used
backcountry shelters and tentsites in the White and Mahoosuc
Mountains. In 2006 the following nine of the fourteen sites maintained
by the AMC will be staffed with a caretaker: Kinsman Pond, Liberty
Springs, Garfield Ridge, 13 Falls, Guyot, Ethan Pond, Nauman, Imp, and
Speck Pond. Most sites are on or near the Appalachian Trail.

Caretakers are placed on site as a result of a site's popularity and
resource sensitivity to recreational impacts. Staffed sites see
between 1,000 and 2,200 overnight visitors in the summer months with
system wide use averaging 14,000 visitors. Caretakers are placed on
site to provide exemplary resource protection and public service,
which is accomplished through information and education, campsite
management and rehabilitation, trail maintenance, human waste
management, and search and rescue.

Permanent caretakers stay on site for 10 or 11 days at a time followed
by 3 or 4 days off. Home is a 10 x 12 foot canvas wall tent with all
tools, supplies, and equipment provided. Rotator positions cover three
sites when the regular caretakers are on days off, traveling from
location to location. Reporting to the Shelter Supervisor, the Shelter
Caretaker's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Provide information and education to trail and campsite users
- Perform campsite and shelter maintenance, rehabilitation, and supervision
- Maintain nearby trails
- Maintain human waste composting system
- Collect overnight fees from users and post daily weather forecast
- Generate daily use and work reports, and year end report
- Protect water supply
- Supervise and lead volunteers as needed
- Address special problems as they arise at site
- Promote Leave No Trace ethics

Required skills:

- Strong commitment to resource protection and public service
- Emotional maturity and self motivation
- Ability to work and live alone in remote setting with minimal supervision
- Excellent education and interpersonal skills and ability to
communicate with diverse groups of hikers
- Extensive backpacking experience and ability to carry heavy loads
long distances over rugged terrain
- Strong commitment to backcountry stewardship and Leave No Trace ethics (over)

Desired skills:

- Knowledge of AMC and White Mountains
- Wilderness First Aid certification
- Trail work experience
- Public service experience
- Education experience


Season:

Summer: Third week of May through August or late September
Fall: Mid-August through late September

-- 
Blog: www.ForestAndCrag.com
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/newcasey

"One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul, and yet no one ever
comes to sit by it." - Vincent van Gogh