The Wildlife Society
Recreation Technician – Friends of Acadia
Location:
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine (Hybrid)
Reporting To:
Recreation Technician Manager
Job Status:
Seasonal, non‑exempt, 40 hours a week
Employment Period:
May 20 – November 9, 2026 (≈25 weeks)
Compensation:
$18.83/hour, paid every two weeks
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 FOA, work closely with ANP’s Social Scientist, and are managed by FOA’s Recreation Technician Manager.
FOA is committed to an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment for visitors, volunteers, and staff from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
Job Responsibilities
Fieldwork (70%)
Monitoring & data collection (50%)
Installs and maintains electronic counters (road, carriage roads, and trails). Downloads and processes counter data; conducts quality control validations.
Conducts stationary counts of visitors for long periods (1–6 hrs).
Research & visitor surveys (20%)
Administers survey instruments, conducts face‑to‑face visitor questionnaires for research projects; observes visitor behavior without interacting with visitors.
Works on a specific research project based on park needs.
Office Work (30%)
Collects, processes, organizes, analyzes, and enters raw data and trail camera photographs in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (20%).
Communication & Reporting (10%)
Writes an end‑of‑season evaluation of work experience with FOA and ANP.
Gives informal presentations about projects to ANP and FOA staff, donors, and the public.
Additional duties: Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Ability to use basic computer software (word processing, database, 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.
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.
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 expected to learn to communicate via park radios; flexible to adapt to quickly changing work demands and schedules.
Available for the entire season.
Willing to attend Acadia National Park Leave No Trace training, including one camping night.
Preferred Qualifications
Intermediate Microsoft Excel or statistical package software (SPSS or R).
Capable of lifting/carrying a backpack up to 50 lb, hiking up to 10 mi per day on uneven terrain with elevation up to 1,500 ft, and/or biking 15 mi.
Uniforms / Equipment 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. FOA will reimburse up to $180 for the purchase of pants or shorts that meet uniform standards.
Hours & Housing Hours:
40 hours/week, including some holidays and weekends. Daily schedule may vary; most weeks, days off will be two consecutive days per week.
Housing:
Not provided. Applicants expected to find own housing; FOA supports your search by providing leads and sources.
Employee benefits: Employees earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked 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.
Work Environment Workload is approximately 70% field‑based and 30% computer‑based. Fieldwork may involve moderate risks or discomfort. Outdoor conditions varied; may include inclement weather and temperatures >90 °F or
How to Apply Submit cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references to
https://friendsofacadia.bamboohr.com/careers/58 .
Deadline:
February 2, 2026
About Friends of Acadia Friends of Acadia is an equal opportunity employer. Founded in 1986, the organization’s mission is to preserve, protect, and promote stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and the surrounding community for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.
Equal Opportunity Employer FOA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, reproductive health decision‑making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine (Hybrid)
Reporting To:
Recreation Technician Manager
Job Status:
Seasonal, non‑exempt, 40 hours a week
Employment Period:
May 20 – November 9, 2026 (≈25 weeks)
Compensation:
$18.83/hour, paid every two weeks
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 FOA, work closely with ANP’s Social Scientist, and are managed by FOA’s Recreation Technician Manager.
FOA is committed to an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environment for visitors, volunteers, and staff from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
Job Responsibilities
Fieldwork (70%)
Monitoring & data collection (50%)
Installs and maintains electronic counters (road, carriage roads, and trails). Downloads and processes counter data; conducts quality control validations.
Conducts stationary counts of visitors for long periods (1–6 hrs).
Research & visitor surveys (20%)
Administers survey instruments, conducts face‑to‑face visitor questionnaires for research projects; observes visitor behavior without interacting with visitors.
Works on a specific research project based on park needs.
Office Work (30%)
Collects, processes, organizes, analyzes, and enters raw data and trail camera photographs in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (20%).
Communication & Reporting (10%)
Writes an end‑of‑season evaluation of work experience with FOA and ANP.
Gives informal presentations about projects to ANP and FOA staff, donors, and the public.
Additional duties: Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Ability to use basic computer software (word processing, database, 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.
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.
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 expected to learn to communicate via park radios; flexible to adapt to quickly changing work demands and schedules.
Available for the entire season.
Willing to attend Acadia National Park Leave No Trace training, including one camping night.
Preferred Qualifications
Intermediate Microsoft Excel or statistical package software (SPSS or R).
Capable of lifting/carrying a backpack up to 50 lb, hiking up to 10 mi per day on uneven terrain with elevation up to 1,500 ft, and/or biking 15 mi.
Uniforms / Equipment 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. FOA will reimburse up to $180 for the purchase of pants or shorts that meet uniform standards.
Hours & Housing Hours:
40 hours/week, including some holidays and weekends. Daily schedule may vary; most weeks, days off will be two consecutive days per week.
Housing:
Not provided. Applicants expected to find own housing; FOA supports your search by providing leads and sources.
Employee benefits: Employees earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked 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.
Work Environment Workload is approximately 70% field‑based and 30% computer‑based. Fieldwork may involve moderate risks or discomfort. Outdoor conditions varied; may include inclement weather and temperatures >90 °F or
How to Apply Submit cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references to
https://friendsofacadia.bamboohr.com/careers/58 .
Deadline:
February 2, 2026
About Friends of Acadia Friends of Acadia is an equal opportunity employer. Founded in 1986, the organization’s mission is to preserve, protect, and promote stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and the surrounding community for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.
Equal Opportunity Employer FOA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, reproductive health decision‑making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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