Trail Skills College Course Curriculum
To help our volunteers succeed in their trail work, PCTA collaborated with many partners to develop a Trail Skills College curriculum.
Crew Recruitment
Skill Definition
Perform inclusive and proactive recruitment and hiring (i.e., hiring beyond basic knowledge, skills, and abilities) of diverse crew members and staff
Entry Level Performance
- Demonstrate understanding of the benefits of inclusive hiring practices
- Model inclusivity as a crew member with a safe and welcoming work environment
Full Performance Level
- Engage with partner organizations to recruit diverse crews utilizing multiple hiring resources
- Demonstrate understanding of the spectrum of career pathways leading to becoming a crew member and the opportunities for advancement and specialization
- Develop a staffing/labor model to inform recruitment needs including 1-3yr work plan, leadership ratios and average tenure in role.
Expert Level Performance
- Create exemplary processes for inclusive hiring practices utilizing the broad landscape of resources and partner organizations and agencies
- Integrate strategies that embody JEDI Principles (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) through all hiring processes including writing job descriptions, applicant evaluation and new crew member training
- Develop criteria and a schedule to measure effectiveness in recruitment and staffing model and implement effective strategies for improvements
Resources for Crew Recruitment
Documents and Media
• Video Trainings
• Training Programs
• Calendar
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Documents and Media for Crew Recruitment
SCA Leader Teams Handbook
This handbook defines the role of the SCA and the Programs’ policies and guidelines. It is to be referred to and followed. There are three sections- general information, a section specifically for the Leader Team Crew Leader, and a section…
Youth Conservation Corps Reference Manual: A Coordinator’s Guide
This handbook is intended to provide consistency among the National Park Service (NPS) units responsible for implementing the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and to offer guidance for establishing and operating the YCC throughout the NPS.
North Country Trail Handbook
The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.
U.S. Forest Service Guidebook: Accessibility and Inclusive Practices
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is dedicated to creating inclusive environments that reflect the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). This guidebook provides actionable strategies and best practices to ensure all…
Introduction to Trail Management (Part 3 of 3)
One part of a three-part series on the Introduction to Trail Planning, Design and Development, and Management. PART THREE: In the Introduction to Trail Management we will discuss visitor and maintenance management.
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Crew Recruitment
Introduction to Trail Management (Part 3 of 3)
One part of a three-part series on the Introduction to Trail Planning, Design and Development, and Management. PART THREE: In the Introduction to Trail Management we will discuss visitor and maintenance management.
Cultural Landscape Training Framework
This webinar will provide an exclusive first walk through of the Cultural Landscape Training Framework showcasing how outdoor professionals can embrace multiple perspectives of the Indigenous landscapes they work on.
Traits, Tips, and Techniques for Being a Better Trail Crew Leader
Learn how to be a better trail crew leader and pick up some new tools and fresh perspectives to add to your crew leader toolbox.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI): Part 2 (JEDI Strategies For Your Organization)
You will leave the webinar with a map that can help you identify priorities for your organization and areas where you need more support. This webinar is hosted by the Partnership for the National Trail System, the National Wilderness Stewardship…
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI): Part 1 (The What and Why of JEDI)
This webinar will help you articulate what you mean when you are talking about JEDI and why it is important to your organization. This webinar is hosted by the Partnership for the National Trail System, the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance,…
Further Education
Training Programs for Crew Recruitment
Trail Academy
Trail Academy is our free class series that teaches students how to tackle any trail-related challenge. Courses are hosted both in the field and online, and are a great starting point for anyone looking to become a certified Trail Crew Leader or…
Trail Sustainability Institute
The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) is NWTA’s internal training classes for everything related to trail building. We want to make sure our trail builders are knowledgeable in not only how to build/maintain fun trails, but ensure those trails…
PCTA Trail Skills Course
Because wildfires, wind storms, floods, gravity, and vegetation growth are constant threats to the PCT, the annual maintenance and reconstruction of the trail is a never-ending and monumental undertaking. Such work, historically carried out by…
Trailbuilding Professional Certificate
The Trailbuilding Professional certification integrates field-based training using hand tools and heavy machinery with first responder training, geospatial information science and technology (GIST), natural resource management, and business…
Trail Master Steward – Introduction Course
The Trail Master Steward online course is intended to provide volunteers, trail organizations, and land managers both a foundational understanding of the values inherent in trail stewardship as well as introduce the basic skills required to be…
Advancing Trails Webinar Series
American Trails brings agencies, trail builders, planners, architects, advocates, and volunteers the latest in state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. Our webinars focus on a variety of trail topics, usually applicable…
Training Calendar
Upcoming Trainings for Crew Recruitment
Custom Trainings
There are 63 trainers on TrailSkills
with Crew Recruitment experience
Jeremy Poore
Old Fort, NC
Coordinator - Trail Construction and Maintenance
McDowell Tech Community College
Lydia Yuhas
Middlefield, CT
Assistant Trails Coordinator
Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA)
Leanna Joyner
Asheville, NC
Senior Director for Partnerships and Trail Operations
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Hire Workers
There are 218 workers on TrailSkills
with Crew Recruitment experience
Stefani Osborne
Athens, GA
Program Specialist Natural Surface Trails
Athens-Clarke County Trails and Open space
Frank Morehouse
Saratoga Springs, NY
Regional Trails Specialist
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Robert Burgess
Spanish Fort, AL
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Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.
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