Recreation Technician Friends of Acadia

Friends of Acadia (FOA) is accepting applications for the seasonal Recreation Technician program for the 2026 season. Two “Rec Techs” will assist Acadia National Park (ANP) staff to better understand visitor use management and recreation-related impacts on the landscape. The Recreation Technicians are funded by Friends of Acadia, work closely with Acadia National Park’s Social Scientist, and are managed by Friends of Acadia’s Recreation Technician Manager.

FOA is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment for visitors, volunteers, and staff from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

• Monitoring & data collection (50%)
  • (40%) Installs and maintains electronic counters (road, carriage roads, and trails). Downloads and processes counter data; conducts quality control validations.
  • (10%) Conducts stationary counts of visitors for long periods of time (1–6 hours).
• Research & visitor surveys (20%)
  • (10%) Administers survey instruments and conducts face-to-face visitor questionnaires for research projects; observes visitor behavior without interacting with visitors.
  • (10%) Works on a specific research project based on park needs.

• Collects, processes, organizes, analyzes, and enters raw data and sometimes trail camera photographs in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (20%).
• Communication & Reporting (10%)
  • (5%) Writes an end-of-season evaluation of work experience with FOA and ANP.
  • (5%) Gives informal presentations about projects to ANP and FOA staff, donors, and the public.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Ability to use basic computer software like word processing, database, and spreadsheets
• Excellent communication and people skills
• Demonstrated experience in data collection and record-keeping in field and office environments
• Experience conducting research in the field or in laboratory environments
• Must be capable of sitting for long stretches, attending to routine tasks in an open-environment setting, carrying research equipment, hiking, walking, standing, and bending over daily
• Must be capable of sitting in an open office environment, working with computers for long periods
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Must pass a federal background check
• Valid Driver’s license and reliable transportation to/from work
• Employees are expected to learn to communicate via park radios and be flexible to adapt to quickly changing work demands and schedules
• Applicants must be available for the entire season
• Applicants must be willing to attend Acadia National Park Leave No Trace training, including one camping night

• Intermediate Microsoft Excel or Statistical Package software (SPSS or R).
• Applicant is capable of lifting and carrying a backpack of up to 50 pounds, hiking up to 10 miles per day on step and uneven terrain with elevation of up to 1,500 feet, and/or biking 15 miles.

Recreation Technicians must maintain appearances consistent with Acadia National Park’s uniform and grooming standards. Uniform shirts, rain jacket, fleece, hat, safety-toe boots, puffy jacket, first aid kits, gloves, backpacks, and other personal protective equipment are provided. In addition, FOA will reimburse up to $180 for the purchase of pants or shorts that meet uniform standards.

40 hours/week, including some holidays and weekends. Daily schedule may vary, but most weeks, the days off will be two consecutive days off per week, to be arranged. Positions are for approximately 25 weeks. Employees earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours they work and may be eligible for retirement plan participation. Unpaid days off can be requested with the Recreation Technician Manager with at least 2-weeks-notice;

not all requests are guaranteed.

Not provided. Applicants will be expected to find their own housing; however, we support your search by providing leads and sources. Work Environment:
The workload is approximately 70% field-based and 30% computer-based work. The fieldwork may involve moderate risks or discomfort. The outdoor conditions will be varied; there may be inclement weather and sometimes greater…