Located along the rugged Franconia Ridge, one of the most spectacular and ecologically sensitive areas in the White Mountains, this alpine environment above treeline supports a rare and fragile ecosystem under constant pressure from thousands of hikers each season. The Chief Summit Steward is a leadership position within an interdisciplinary team working to enhance visitor experience and protect this unique high-elevation landscape through education, research, and trail maintenance.

The Chief Summit Steward supervises 2-4 Summit Steward Interns and coordinates weekly volunteer trail workdays. Additionally, they oversee students in the five-week Binghamton semester course (early July to early August) and collaborate with international trails fellows—graduate students or professionals from South and Central America. This role emphasizes education, research, academic engagement, and monitoring.

Job Responsibilities

Interpretation and Education – 35%

• Engages effectively with visitors and partner organizations to fulfill stewardship responsibilities.
• Educates and assists visitors by teaching Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, sharing the cultural and natural history of Franconia Ridge, providing trail guidance, and offering regulatory information.
• Assists the Greenleaf Hut Naturalist in a weekly educational presentation at Greenleaf Hut.
• Helps design, build, and place educational signage and develop interpretive materials for the alpine zone.
• Supports educational initiatives by mentoring students and international trail fellows in research and monitoring activities.

Trail Tending – 35%

• Works with volunteer trail tenders from the West End Trail Tender volunteers to maintain and restore trails.
• Maintains trail infrastructure by rebuilding scree walls, cairns, and string fencing, blocking social trails, and disguising trampled areas with brush and rubble.
• Collaborates with trail crews when needed on larger projects such as rebuilding rock staircases.

Coordination and Supervision of Interns and Fellows – 10-30% (Seasonal Adjustment)

• Provides guidance, feedback, and mentorship to Summit Steward Interns, Binghamton students, and international trails fellows.
• Maintains a daily journal of work activities and observations.
• Submits a final report summarizing seasonal findings and work completed.
• Maintains and updates the Summit Steward Intern schedule, volunteer event calendar, and coordination with weekend volunteer AMC Alpine Stewards.
• Assists the Liberty Springs Caretaker as needed.
• When the Binghamton semester course is in session, supervision duties increase significantly, requiring more focus on student coordination, research facilitation, and mentorship.

Research and Monitoring – 20%

• Assists USFS backcountry rangers with trail counter data collection and monitoring.
• Supports AMC’s community science programs and other research initiatives as needed.
• Guides and facilitates research projects conducted by students and international fellows.
• Conducts and compiles ecological and visitor impact assessments for partner organizations.

Schedule

The Chief Summit Steward works four ten-hour days in the field, following this general schedule:

• Thursday Evening: Arrive at Sandwich Mountain for a potluck "fireside chat" social with volunteers, USFS staff, students, and neighbors.
• Friday Morning: Hike to Greenleaf Hut via the Old Bridle Path (~3 miles). Field camp at the Greenleaf Hut tent platform.
• Saturday: Summit Steward between Greenleaf Hut and Mount Liberty (2.8 miles one way). Overnight at Greenleaf Hut tent platform.
• Sunday: Continue Summit Steward duties between Greenleaf Hut and Mount Liberty. Overnight at Greenleaf Hut tent platform. Option to stay at AMC Liberty Springs Campsite one night per week to vary routine and check in with the Liberty Springs Caretaker.
• Monday: Patrol the Ridge and hike out.
• Tuesday - Thursday Evening: Off.

Housing and Basecamp

On days off, the Chief Summit Steward has access to a simple cabin at the Sandwich Mountain Farm basecamp in Thornton, NH (a 25-minute drive from Franconia Ridge trailheads). The basecamp includes:

• A primitive cabin with a moldering privy and outdoor shower.
• Tent platforms available for those who prefer camping.
• A communal garden where stewards can work on days off and enjoy fresh produce.
• Goats and chickens cared for on the farm.
• Direct access to trails within the White Mountain National Forest.

Required Qualifications

• Strong hiking and backcountry experience; must be capable of hiking up to 9 miles per day with a pack and working in inclement weather and steep terrain.
• Motivation to engage and inspire visitors daily with excellent communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle for travel to job sites.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications (must be valid for the full season).*
• Leave No Trace (LNT) Trainer Certification.*
• Commitment to minimizing recreational impacts and following LNT principles.
• Reliable, self-motivated, and prepared for daily fieldwork.
• Ability to manage changing work demands and schedules.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work both independently and a as part of a team.

** WFA, CPR, and LNT training available at the start of the season.