Needs From: HandsOn Blue Ridge

Overview: 

Join the ATC as a volunteer at one of our four visitor centers along the Appalachian Trail: Damascus, VA; Harpers Ferry, WV; Boiling Springs, PA; and Monson, ME. Visitor center staff and volunteers educate and inform visitors about the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), the work of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), and the communities where each visitor center is located. We hope to encourage visitors to become stewards of the A.T. through educational programs, empowering experiences, and inspirational stories. Our visitor centers serve as hubs for local, regional, and national conservation and recreation information and connect visitors to ATC stewardship opportunities. 

 

Join the team in Damascus, VA at the Damascus Trail Center (DTC). Help recreators of the Appalachian Trail and Southwest Virginia by promoting outdoor stewardship, inspiring new users, and educating visitors on nearby recreation opportunities.

 

Responsibilities:

 

Meet and greet visitors by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.  Educate and inform visitors through conversation, guidance, and resource sharing.  Respond to inquiries, whether in-person, via email, and/or over the phone while representing ATC.  Help to keep the visitor center a clean, organized place for staff, volunteers, and the public.  Lead programs, training, or workshops for visitors from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.  Reflect Leave No Trace principles in responses to the public.  Help with event set-up and breakdown.  Conduct sales and membership transactions as needed.  Other duties and tasks as needed. 

 

Requirements:  

 

Must be able to work in an inclusive team environment  Strong communication and interpersonal skills   Ability to sit or stand for a minimum of 3–4-hour shifts   Ability to lift 15 lbs. or more   Ability to create a welcoming environment for all visitors  Participate in ATC-provided training  

 

Qualifications:

 

Familiarity or willingness to learn Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Office 365, Outlook, Word)  Ability to help answer phone or email inquiries as needed  Basic knowledge of regional recreation, tourism, A.T. and ATC preferred  Prior experience in customer service or hospitality is a plus  Passion for educating the public about the outdoors  Willingness to learn new tasks and information 

 

Benefits:  

 

Flexible schedule - opportunities to work during the day, evenings, and weekends.   Work and join a team environment that empowers, educates, and protects   Ability to interact with visitors from all over the world  Opportunity for professional development and continued lifelong learning 

Anyone can appreciate the joy of hiking over a mountain creek that’s swollen from stormwater when they're on a solid and stable trail bridge. Providing visitors with an enjoyable and safe hiking experience is something A.T. volunteers, partners, and managers have been working towards for decades. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy seeks volunteers that are licensed Professional Engineers (PE) and have the requisite qualifications to directly support several major and complex bridge replacement projects along the Virginia section of A.T.

 

If you are a PE who would like to support the Appalachian Trail, please consider contributing your time and skills by expressing your interest in this volunteer position. This position serves as an advisor to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and supports the construction of engineered trail bridges for weary hikers along the A.T. in central and south-west Virginia with United States Forest Service personnel, A.T. maintaining club volunteers, ATC staff, as well as A&E and/or construction contractors. 

 

The term for this position is flexible and can be matched with individual’s schedule. Project(s) could take 6 months to three years and could include multiple major or complex pedestrian trail bridge replacement projects.

 

Responsibilities

Familiar with USFS Bridge catalog, standards, and guides, as well as or able to become familiar Familiar with USFS FSH 7709.56b – Transportation Structures Handbook, USFS - The Built Environment Image Design Guide, or able to become familiar Knowledge of the AT, National Scenic Trails, and the unique character of the resource Coordinate and collaborate with AT partnership – ATC staff, agency personnel, AT maintaining club volunteers – at all stages from planning through construction Visit project locations to inform siting, design package development, construction, etc. Draft engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates for bridge replacements for review by agency partners Provide technical expertise before and during bidding, selecting contractors for A&E and construction, and quality control/inspection during construction Duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the individual(s) selected for the position

 

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering. State professional engineer license; Professional Engineer license should be in good standing, or ability to prove license was in good standing if it has lapsed. Three or more years as an engineer, with experience at all stages of projects from site assessment through construction. Background in structural engineering or experience on trail bridge projects preferred. Previous work history with federal or state land managing agencies, and non-profits preferred Periodic travel to various Virginia sections of the A.T. in remote locations with changing weather conditions and traversing variable terrain Excellent organizational skills Excellent written, electronic and verbal communication skills Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills

 

Terms and Compensation

Volunteer only; no salary/wage Approved expenses may be reimbursed