Trail Crew Member- Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking SIX Trail Crew Members to contribute to trail projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: April 20, 2026

Estimated End Date: October 17, 2026 (or 26-weeks after start date)

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is unique among America's National Parks; located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its rich diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of the ancient mountains and forests, and its preservation of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

Four of the ACE members will be stationed in Gatlinburg, TN and two ACE members will be stationed in Cherokee, NC.

For more information about Great Smoky Mountains National Park please visit the parks website.

Position Overview:

The Great Smoky Mountains Trail Crew will train and mentor ACE EPIC members to prepare them for a future career in trail work or a related field in conservation. As recreation and hiking increases in popularity, there is a growing need for skilled trail workers to enter the workforce. This 6 month internship will provide members with the skills needed to start a career in trail work or a related field in recreation or conservation.

ACE EPIC members will be led and trained by NPS Trails Staff on a variety of trail maintenance and construction tasks. Maintenance Tasks include clearing trail drainages, clearing trails of fallen trees, mowing trail sides to keep trail corridors open, cemetery maintenance (blowing leaves, mowing), and other cyclic trail maintenance tasks such as widening and outsloping the trail surface, trail surface repair, and maintaining erosion control structures. Trail construction tasks include assisting NPS Staff with building trail structures such as foot logs, staircases, retaining walls, and turnpikes.

The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations" Work accomplished by the members will be directly contributing to hiker safety and hiker access to the most popular trail destinations in the Park. Trail improvements and erosion control measures will improve trail sustainability and better protect natural resources. The purpose of these positions is to offer training and mentorship to interns while completing trail maintenance and trail projects. Following the completion of the six month internship, participants will have a wide array of training and skills to be able to seek employment with land management agencies and organizations seeking skilled trails staff. These same land management agencies and organizations will benefit with having more skilled trails workers available.

The ACE members will work directly with the NPS Trail Crew. This will entail meeting at the trail shop each morning at 7am, working a full day, and returning with the crew at the end of the day.

The North Carolina Trail Crew meeting place will be in the Cherokee Office located just inside the GRSM Boundary from Cherokee, NC. Two interns will work directly with the North Carolina Trail Crew. Four interns will work out of the Gatlinburg Office on the Tennessee Side of the Park.

Schedule: Monday – Thursday 7am to 5:30pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $740/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A taxed reimbursable housing allowance in the amount of (NTE) $500 per month for (6) months will be available.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will be reimbursed up to (NTE) $200 for approved boots. Gear must be approved by the partner and ACE prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include NPS Operational Leadership Training, First Aid and CPR Training, Chainsaw Certification, and trail maintenance and construction techniques, rigging, stone drilling and splitting using hammer drills and feathers/wedges, chainsaw use, string trimmer use, working around mules, and rock bar and other trails hand tool use training.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Experience with hiking, camping, and previous manual labor jobs is preferred
• Ability and willingness to work outside in less-than-ideal conditions including working in the rain and working in hot/humid and cold weather. Applicants must be comfortable hiking 8-15 miles per day.
• Deep interest in hiking, challenging oneself physically, conservation, and working outdoors

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Interns will need to be able to hike 8-12 miles on a daily basis and be able to carry a 50 lb. backpack. Some days will require hiking of up to 15 miles.

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing]. Manual dexterity required for [use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment]. Required to [stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch]. [Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.]
• Vision Requirements: Requires [close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus].
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to [50] lbs., ability to carry up to [50] pounds.
• Environmental: Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions. Higher elevations in the Smokies average 85+ inches or precipitation per year classifying the area as a temperate rain forest.
• Noise Environment: [Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.] [Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.]
• Travel: This position may require working in backcountry and sleeping in a tent or bunk house at Mt. Leconte to complete trail tasks.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Eastern Member Manager, Corinna Mokotoff.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.