Summit Steward

Do you love getting people excited about protecting National Parks? Friends of Acadia is hiring Summit Stewards for the 2023 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 rove 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.

1. Engages, educates, and assists visitors on Acadia’s trails and summits by: teaching Leave No Trace principles; sharing the cultural and natural history of ANP through interpretive techniques; offering trail guidance, regulatory information, first aid, water, maps, and information about FOA and ANP.

2. Communicates well and works effectively 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. May conductor distribute surveys for visitor use monitoring and research projects.

6. May be called upon to provide first aid and assist with ANP search and rescue operations.

7. Records daily patrol log of work activities and observations.

8. Assists coordinator with end-of-season reporting and presentation.

9. Assists with special events: Take Pride in Acadia Day, FOA Annual Meeting and Benefit, etc.

10. Performs other duties as assigned.

•Commitment 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 independently and as a team.

•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.

•Applicant 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.

•First Aid and CPR Certifications.

•Must be able to attend the Leave No Trace Trainer course in June, which may include one night of camping.

•Hired employees may be required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and pass a federal background check to comply with federal workspace requirements.

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 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. Individuals will have 2 consecutive days off per week. Schedule requests will be considered but not guaranteed. *Fall applicants must take off 5 unpaid workdays during the season, to be scheduled with the coordinator. 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.

Service Periods: Summer: May 22-August 19, 2023 (up to 4 positions available); Summer/fall: May 22-November 4, 2023 *(up to 2 positions available)

Submit cover letter (indicating preferred service period), resume, and references in a single PDF document titled “last name_application” to stephley@friendsofacadia.org with “Summit Steward Application” in the subject line by January 31, 2023. Call Friends of Acadia at (207) 288-3340 or1-800-625-0321 with questions.