Backcountry Hut Naturalist

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB • Gorham, NH

6d • $10 - $10 • Onsite

About The Position

The Appalachian Mountain Club’s backcountry huts serve as a source of information, accommodation, education, and aid for many thousands of hikers recreating in New Hampshire’s White Mountains every year. The huts are a popular, public-facing resource for the AMC—one of the country’s longest-operating conservation non-profits—and play a vital role in the club’s mission: to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Hut employees support this mission by providing an unforgettable experience for all hut visitors, from crafting homemade meals, to presenting nightly naturalist programs. Working in a hut is an incredibly rewarding experience, and we are now accepting applications to work during the 2026 Summer and Fall seasons! All hut positions require excellent guest service skills, comfortability in a kitchen and food-service setting, backcountry familiarity, and a commitment to the AMC’s mission. Employees are expected to continue the traditions of High Mountain Hospitality: providing all with good company, great food, clean and comfortable accommodations, and the opportunity to connect with the outdoors. Just as important, you will be a member of a close-knit team that lives and works together for the duration of the season. This requires the whole crew to contribute to a positive, respectful, and inclusive community supported by open communication and effective group feedback discussions. Hut employees work 11 days on and 3 days off in rotation throughout a 14-day pay period. Daily assignments (such as cooking, hiking in/out supplies, regular cleaning and maintenance, and presenting educational programs) are shared and will be organized by the resident senior staff. The Backcountry Hut Naturalist is responsible for leading the hut’s environmental education and research efforts, while contributing to the operation of the hut as a full-service, overnight facility for guests. As the educational leader of the hut, the naturalist is responsible for facilitating connections between visitors and the local landscape. This goal is primarily fulfilled through the creation and delivery of daily interpretive educational programs. Naturalists also advertise programs, keep records, and perform other education-related tasks. Twice per week, naturalists will collect data on the seasonal development of plants (phenology) to support AMC research investigating the ecological impacts of climate change. Training on the creation/delivery of interpretive programs and the collection of plant phenology data will be provided before the season begins. As a part of the hut crew, the naturalist also performs regular hut operational duties alongside the rest of the hut crew. Standard tasks include packing food and supplies to/from the hut, cleaning and maintenance, assisting with cooking and meal service, and occasionally leading meal preparation. The naturalist will function as the lead cook less frequently to ensure ample time is provided for their education and research duties.

Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Experience with interpretation, environmental education, and/or public speaking.
• Degree (or working towards degree) in the natural/environmental sciences, environmental education, or related field OR comparable work or life experience.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to live and work closely within a small community of 4-10 coworkers.
• The ability to communicate effectively and kindly is vital.
• Committed to friendly, compassionate guest service; dedicated to connecting with visitors in a meaningful and pleasant manner.
• Backcountry travel experience.
• Comfort not having immediate access to internet, cell coverage and roadside amenities.

Nice To Haves

• Professional cooking and food service experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of the White Mountains, the local ecology, and/or Leave-No-Trace principles, desirable but not necessary.
• Wilderness medical certification and CPR certification (Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, etc.), preferable.

Responsibilities

• Create and present daily interpretive programs to guests and visitors. These programs aim to facilitate connections with the local ecology, landscape, and cultural history.
• Maintain the hut’s educational materials and record attendance at programs.
• Collect data on the seasonal life cycle of local plants to support AMC climate research.
• Function as your hut’s educational leader: answer questions; cultivate enthusiasm for the outdoors, promote hut programming and community science; and assist your crew with their educational work
• Provide a positive hut experience for all day and overnight guests.
• Share in the cooking, baking, and serving responsibilities for breakfast and dinner meals. Guest counts depend on hut placement and dates but can range from 36-90 guests nightly. Naturalists will function as the lead cook less frequently than the rest of the crew, providing additional time for their naturalist-specific duties.
• Hike food and supplies to/from the hut twice a week. Pack trails are between 1.5 and 5 miles long, and pack weights heading to the hut are on average 40-60 pounds and can reach 70-80 pounds at times.
• Answer questions and give trail advice at the hut information desk.
• Clean public spaces, sleeping quarters, and bathrooms daily.
• Greet, register, and assist overnight guests.
• Handle sales transactions of retail items and basic backcountry supplies; perform basic accounting of daily hut revenue.
• Support in maintenance and monitoring of hut systems on a regular basis.
• Participate in search and rescue operations as available/qualified

Benefits

• Room & Board: Dorm-style room for $45/week – meals included, too!
• Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer and when working greater than 30 hours per week
• Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) Contribution
• Paid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of paid earned time depending on length of service
• Other Team Member Perks:
• 30% discount on AMC Merchandise
• Free Annual AMC Membership
• 4 Free nights at AMC locations
• Prodeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees