Volunteer Positions

Location : Varied

Department : Volunteer Program

Supervisor : Assigned by project

Type : Volunteer

Position Summary:

Overview: To help tell the story of the A.T. and the work of volunteers by capturing images that highlight the impact and accomplishments of the individuals and organizational entities that make this vast network of connected lands come alive. Selected photographers will help make the invisible work of volunteers more greatly acknowledged by visually reporting what goes in to a well-maintained Trail. Photographers will be paired with work trips within a preferred travel distance based on their availability.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Take photos that meet criteria assigned by your volunteer coordinator

Travel to work sites (hike – variable – but let us know your capabilities)

Ability to take quality photos in variable lighting conditions

Curate and edit your photos or videos for select submission

Deliver ATC photos along with photo credit detail and location information through online location

Benefits:

Flexible schedule, planned in advanced based on identified project needs and your availability

Photo credit for all your images, along with a link to your website, if desired

Time in nature

Pride in being an essential part of telling the story of the A.T.

Opportunity to take a free Leave No Trace awareness course, or significantly discounted 2-day Leave No Trace trainer course.

Qualifications:

Experienced photographer, as a skilled amateur photographer, professional, or students of photo journalism

Familiarity with the A.T. preferred, but not required

Capable of hiking over variable terrain, in changing weather conditions, carrying photo equipment and personal hiking equipment.

Requirements:

Must provide own equipment for photography, videography, and editing

Willingness to furnish publication rights to Appalachian Trail Conservancy, for use in print and online

Ability to learn about kinds of volunteer activities and respective safety equipment.

Physical Demands:

Capable of hiking over variable terrain, in changing weather conditions, carrying photo equipment and personal hiking equipment.

Work Environment:

Primarily out-of-doors, in changing weather conditions, over variable terrain that may include significant change in elevation.

To Apply:

Interested volunteers should email volunteer@appalachiantrail.org using the subject line “A.T. Photographer” Please tell us your name, where you live, why you’re interested in this role, how you found out about the opportunity, and describe your experience hiking and photographing in nature. With your email, please include a link to your photo/video work, or include examples of your work as attachments. Once your application package is received by email, it will be reviewed, and an interview will be set up to discuss this volunteer position further.

Location : Gatlinburg, TN

Department : Smoky Mountain Hiking Club

Supervisor : Diane Petrilla

Type : Volunteer

Position Summary:

As a Mulch Coordinator for the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club (SMHC), this volunteer will be responsible for prepping and organizing mulch deliveries to the shelters within the SMHC’s Trail section. The work is moderately strenuous and requires a time commitment of 15 – 20 hours a month. Training will be provided.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Mulch is an integral part of privy etiquette and provides hikers with a sanitary means of composting human waste. Privies support the third Leave No Trace Principle, disposing of waste properly by packing out what you pack in. While some land managers request hikers to pack out their own poo, the trail maintaining clubs of the A.T. provide hikers with privies to lighten their load and concentrate human impact in a sustainable way.

• Spend a few hours bagging 20-30 bags of mulch at least 4 times between March and October at the Elkmont storage site using a shovel, pitchfork and wheelbarrow.
• Review Ridge Runner reports to determine if mulch is needed at either the Double Spring, Mt. Collins, Icewater shelters.
• Coordinate pre-existing and experienced mulch teams in their deliveries to shelters.
• Primary point of contact for the March Consortium, an annual group of ~20 college students volunteer for a one day trip to bring mulch to shelters. This is a full one day commitment with prior mulch preparations required.
• Lead a mulch trip on the first Saturday of August.
• Monitor mulch supply at Elkmont and notify the National Park if more is needed.
• Assist and guide trail-rider/equestrian assistance to the Cosby, Pecks and Tricorner shelters.
• Occasionally hikes mulch to shelters when needed.

Qualifications:

• Detail oriented.
• Clear communication.
• Leadership skills

Physical Demands:

• Capable of lifting at least 25 lbs.
• (Preferred) Capable of hiking over tough terrain, covering varying distances and challenging weather conditions, while carrying a 25 lb. backpack.

Work Environment:

To Apply:

Contact Diane Petrilla at petrillad@gmail.com.

Location : Harpers Ferry, WV

Department : Information Services

Supervisor : Jeff Metzger

Type : As Scheduled

Position Summary:

Visitor Center Volunteers ensure a positive experience for those visiting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) visitor centers, to complement the staff in providing information about the A.T. and ATC to the public, and to assist in recruiting new members.

Volunteers receive a discount on merchandise after their initial 8 hours of service. Volunteers in this position say it brings them a lot of satisfaction to help people learn about and find enjoyment in exploring the A.T., or the Harpers Ferry area.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide a friendly greeting and orientation to those visiting the ATC visitor center, tailoring that process to visitors’ needs and interests. (Number of visitors ranges from low of 1 or 2 in winter to as many as
• 100 or more in summer.)
• Inspire visitors to support the A.T. through membership in the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
• Recommend local hikes to visitors – Provide information about local services and attractions.
• Ring up purchases and memberships on cash register.
• Reflect Leave No Trace principles in responses to the public.
• Photocopy or print information handouts.
• Assemble information packets.
• (Weekdays only): After training period, respond to information calls and email inquiries, redirecting to staff whenever volunteer does not have background or resources to answer accurately or completely. – Assist staff in keeping visitor center clean and tidy and keeping information materials stocked.
• Reporting your volunteer hours.

Qualifications:

• Enjoys meeting people.
• Outgoing, friendly personality – Good listener.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Customer service experience.
• Familiarity with Harpers Ferry area day-hikes – Familiarity with Harpers Ferry services and attractions or willingness to learn
• Familiarity with Appalachian Trail and Appalachian Trail Conservancy or willingness to acquire knowledge.
• Willingness to learn new tasks and information – Willingness to ask questions when unclear about information or procedures.
• Familiarity with Leave No Trace principles, skills and practices specific to the Appalachian Trail, or willingness to learn.

Physical Demands:

Work Environment:

To Apply:

Complete the Visitor Center Volunteer Application and return it to Jmetzger@appalachiantrail.org.

Location : New York

Department : New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

Supervisor : Moe Lemire

Type : Volunteer

Position Summary:

The Appalachian Trail was envisioned to serves an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. With the Trails proximity to some of the most highly populated areas on the east coast, such as New York City, it is vital that its visitors are educated on the importance of their impact. Volunteer stewards serve as the interpreters of the land, serving by example in their efforts to keep the trail pristine as well as educating the public how they can practice being stewards no matter what trail they may be on.

Volunteer stewards are needed in high traffic location. This includes parking areas, points of interest throughout the Trail, or heavily used portions of the Trail.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Volunteer stewards are responsible for a variety of things including but not limited to the following:

• Collecting up and removing trash.
• Breaking up fire rings that are not in designated locations and ensuring that there is one fire ring per campsite.
• Discussing proper trail ethics with users and encouraging them to continue to protect our public lands.
• A minimum of two visits a year to each campsite. Preferably in the beginning of the Spring and the end of Summer.
• Being a an educational representative on busy section of the Trail and in parking lots on particularly high use days such as on holiday weekend during the Spring and Summer.

Qualifications:

Eligibility Requirements

• Capable of lifting at least 25lbs.
• The ability to hike over rough terrain for varying distances.
• The ability and willingness to effectively communicate Leave No Trace Principles to Trail visitors.

Physical Demands:

Volunteer Steward locations vary based on assignment. Candidates must be able to hike variable distances, over uneven terrain, in changing weather conditions, carrying a backpack that weighs 10-20 lbs.

Candidates must also be able to navigate and educate amongst groups at well trafficked trailheads/campsites.

To Apply:

Contact Moe Lemire at chanelzee@gmail.com.

Location : New York

Department : New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

Supervisor : Moe Lemire

Type : Volunteer

Position Summary:

It is often said that the heart of the A.T. is its trail, and it’s soul are its volunteers. Trail maintainers hold the key to the trail as they know it best. Becoming a trail maintainer means that a section of the first national scenic trail is under your protection and care. The millions of visitors a year rely on the work of the dedicated trail maintainers that span the entire length of the Appalachian Trail’s two thousand miles.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Trail maintainers are expected to perform the following duties:

• Maintain a 4 foot wide by 8 foot tall trail corridor. This is accomplished by clipping tree limbs and brush, cutting back tall grass to allow for clearance.
• Renew or replace white blaze trail markers, using only the minimum number necessary.
• Work hand in hand with the corridor monitor for that area.
• Remove fallen trees that block the Trail, or report them so that a certified sawyer can remove them.
• Clear out any drains or water bars in assigned  area.
• Pick up and pack out litter along the Trail and at overnight sites.
• Break up illegal fire rings, scatter rocks and ashes, and pack out any litter.
• Eliminate shortcuts and walk-arounds
• Report trail tread-way issues where the trail may need a rehab or possible reroute.
• Visit and attend to need on Trail at least two times a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

Qualifications:

Eligibility Requirements

• Capable of lifting at least 25 lbs.
• Hiking over rough terrain for varying distances, in variable weather conditions, with tools and essential hiking needs in a backpack.

Physical Demands:

Trail maintenance distances vary based on assignment. Candidates must be able to hike variable distances, over uneven terrain, in changing weather conditions, carrying a backpack that weighs 20-25 lbs.

Work Environment:

To Apply:

Contact Moe Lemire by email chanelzee@gmail.com.

Location : New York

Department : New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

Supervisor : Moe Lemire

Type : Volunteer

Position Summary:

The Appalachian Trail is more than just a simple foot path, it is a corridor that threads and connects wild landscapes. Corridor monitors serve as the first line of protection against encroachments that may be threatening the integrity of the largest wildlife corridor on the east coast.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

As a corridor monitor you will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Walk the boundary of the Appalachian Trails National Park Lands and checks for encroachments. Encroachments include but are not limited to the following: illegal dumping of trash, timber cutting, tree stands, dirt bike or ATV paths etc.
• Re-paint the existing yellow boundary blazes to maintain the indication of the property line.
• Check for and find all boundary markers and report any that may be missing.
• Hang appropriate signage along the boundary to help prevent encroachments of hunting, motorized vehicles etc.
• Walking off trail, along the boundary line at least two times a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.

Training Requirements

• A Corridor Monitoring workshop will be provided to help volunteers strengthen/gain skills in navigation, boundary marking, etc.

Qualifications:

Eligibility Requirements

• Hiking off trail (bushwacking) for long distances in various weather conditions.
• Previous navigation skills preferred.

Physical Demands:

Corridor maintenance distances vary based on assignment. Candidates must be able to hike variable distances, over uneven terrain, in changing weather conditions, carrying a backpack that weighs 10-20 lbs.

Work Environment:

To Apply:

Contact Moe Lemire by email chanelzee@gmail.com.