Organizational Mission

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Primary Purpose

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is seeking a dynamic and creative conservationist to serve as the Maine Regional Manager (RM). The RM focuses on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in Maine from Grafton Notch to Katahdin in Baxter State Park, a distance of 267 trail miles. Many trail enthusiasts consider the A.T. in Maine one of the most rugged, scenic, remote, and rewarding sections of the entire Appalachian Trail. The RM works in a dynamic suite of partnerships that share a passion and dedication to upholding a high standard for managing and protecting the A.T. throughout Maine.

As the ATC’s primary representative in Maine, the RM leads and supports programs and projects in Trail and natural resource management, visitor education, and volunteer outreach throughout the state. The RM reports to the Northeast Regional Director and works within the Northeast Regional team of the ATC. The RM also supervises and supports a team of seasonal staff in Maine. Working within the framework of the federally legislated Cooperative Management System, the RM strengthens and enhances the mission of the ATC and supports the volunteer stewardship heritage of the A.T.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Partnership Engagement

• Developing working relationships and alliances with identified organizations that strengthen the capacity of the federally legislated Cooperative Management System through which the A.T. is managed.
• Briefing local management partners regarding ATC strategic direction, policies, programs, and projects.
• Providing assistance and technical expertise to partners, when appropriate.
• Participating in club and agency meetings and work trips as necessary.
• Serving as ATC’s representative to the Executive Committee of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club.
• Serving as the ATC representative on the board of the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust.
• Facilitating the Baxter A.T. Task Force.
• Serving as the ATC representative on additional identified regional conservation partnerships in Maine as appropriate.

Program Management

Implements, manages, coordinates, or supports identified regional programs in collaboration with all ATC departments. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Facilitating and prioritizing federally and privately funded Trail repair and reconstruction efforts in collaboration with partner staff and volunteers, including extensive project planning, and contract administration.
• Supporting the ATC’s visitor use outreach/education programs in Maine.
• Supporting club/agency-sponsored seasonal programs such as visitor use outreach and education; volunteer trail crews; and volunteer skill development trainings as needed.
• Kennebec Canoe Ferry contract administration and program development.
• High-risk tree assessment, monitoring, removal, data management, program development, and reporting, in collaboration with volunteers and ATC Stewardship and Volunteer Program Team.
• Ensures ATC Land Trust property is monitored on a designated schedule.

Project Management

Implements, manages, coordinates, or supports identified regional projects on time and within budget, with a focus on effective, efficient reporting. This includes:

• Coordinating environmental review process, including completing field site reviews, to meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requirements for projects.
• Federally funded and non-federally funded trail repair and reconstruction efforts and contract administration.
• Restoration projects including demolitions, site restorations, and removal of abandoned property as necessary for the protection and management of the A.T.
• Support ATC land conservation staff by providing local resources and field support as needed for conservation projects in A.T. Landscape.
• Support ATC Visual Resource Inventory staff and work in Maine.

Seasonal Team Leadership

Supervision of seasonal employees and interns is a core responsibility. Currently, the RM oversees a Maine Field Coordinator and one ATC Ridgerunner, though this varies from year to year. The RM also provides supplemental support for the ATC’s seasonal Corridor Stewardship technicians as needed. Supervision duties include but are not limited to:

• Recruitment and hiring.
• Pre-season training.
• Creating seasonal work plans and prioritizing projects.
• Regular check-ins with each seasonal employee.
• Managing team dynamics.
• Tracking and approving timesheets and expense reports.
• Postseason closeouts, including exit interviews.

Public Relations

• Implements the ATC’s response protocol to emergencies and Trail-related incidents in the region.
• Refers media inquiries to the Regional Director or ATC’s Director of Marketing and Communications; and assists with coordination of ATC and club participation in ATC public relations efforts, in accordance with direction provided by law-enforcement agencies (where applicable).
• Coordinates with the Program Support Manager and Regional Director regarding the submission of promotional public relations and communications materials.
• Provides visitor information services to the general public.
• Supports ATC membership and fundraising campaigns, including participating in donor outreach events and political representative hike events.
• Assists with assessing external threats to corridor lands and the footpath. Under the supervision of the Regional Director, assists with developing appropriate responses, including public comments.
• Acts as the local ATC representative for A.T. Communities as needed.
• Supports A.T. Community needs, such as attending events and supporting local initiatives.

Administration

• Participates in regional program planning, development, and budget management.
• Assists the ATC Development Team in grant reporting to support and expand program areas, in coordination with partner agencies as appropriate.
• Attends regional and national staff and partnership meetings and retreats.
• Completes accurate and timely expense reports, timesheets, and purchasing procedures.
• Works with Program Support Manager and IT Department to maintain ATC-issued equipment and vehicles, and to follow software security measures.
• Maintains relevant certifications to fulfill the job description.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, recreation management, resource management, or related field with 3-5 years of experience required.
• Experience working in the outdoors is required.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple tasks and relationships concurrently with excellent organizational and communication skills, in an environment with minimal direct daily supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively within the Cooperative Management System, including with state and federal agency partners, volunteer constituencies, alliance organizations, community and business leaders, and media representatives.
• Ability and commitment to be fully engaged in a dispersed yet cohesive staff team structure.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic scope of work that often requires creative problem-solving.
• Excellent analytical and critical evaluation skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 suite, ArcMap, GPS, Apple iPad operating system (iPadOS), map, and compass.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications are required; WFR is preferred.
• Chainsaw safety certifications and Leave No Trace training or willingness to attain certification. Familiarity with the A.T., hikers, conservation volunteerism, and related fields is desirable.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Frequent and extensive travel and evening and weekend work are required?within and outside of Maine.
• Use of a personal vehicle for work-related travel is expected (mileage will be reimbursed), with some opportunities for using a shared ATC vehicle.
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals by phone, email, and in person.
• Routinely requires the ability to lift or move moderate and heavy items.
• Ability to hike long distances over rugged terrain in all seasons and weather conditions to provide physical inspection of remote Trail locations.
• Moderate noise level due to open office environment with a high level of activity on the phone, computers, and printers.

Additional Details

• The earliest starting date for this position is April 3, 2023.
• The salary range for this position is $53,000 to $57,000.
• Remote position but must live in Maine near the A.T.
• COVID-19 vaccination will be required for this position as a condition of employment. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance is available.
• Company-paid long-term disability and life insurance provided.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service

To Apply

Please submit an application packet that consists of a resume and cover letter via our ADP application portal. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2023, so please apply as soon as possible. We may request you to provide up to 3 references throughout the recruitment process.

Organization Details