Trail Maintenance & Stewardship Crew Member

(Summer Student / Seasonal)

Organization: Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR) & Member Clubs

Job Type: Seasonal / Part-Time

Wage: 20.00 per hour

Schedule: Minimum 30 hours/week for 8-12 weeks,  including some weekends

Position Overview

Are you an outdoor enthusiast looking for a rewarding summer job? The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR) and our affiliated clubs are seeking motivated individuals to join our Trail Maintenance and Stewardship team. In this dynamic outdoor role, you will be on the front lines of maintaining our expansive trail networks, preparing for exciting riding events, and acting as an ambassador for responsible trail use. This position moves beyond physical maintenance; you will actively engage with trail users, champion environmental stewardship, and help preserve Ontario’s premier off-road riding experiences.

Why Work With Us?

• Spend your summer outdoors: Escape the office and work in some of Ontario’s most beautiful trail networks.
• Skill development: Gain hands-on experience in forestry, trail building, and environmental stewardship.
• Community impact: Play a direct role in keeping trails safe and accessible for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts.

Key Responsibilities

• Trail Clearing & Upkeep: Perform routine trail brushing, clear overgrowth, and safely remove fallen trees or seasonal debris to ensure pathways remain clear, safe, and ride-ready.
• Trail Stewardship & Advocacy: Act as an on-trail steward representing the association. Ensure trails remain compliant with local land-use agreements. Promote environmental consciousness, sustainability, and minimal-impact riding practices among users.
• User Engagement & Education: Serve as a friendly, informative presence on the trails. Greet trail users, promote proper trail etiquette, answer questions regarding trail systems, and ensure a positive, safe experience for everyone enjoying the network.
• Event Preparation & Support: Provide hands-on assistance for upcoming trail riding events. Duties include clearing specific event routes, setting up signage and wayfinding markers, and offering logistical ground support on event days.
• Mapping & Navigation: Utilize GPS and trail mapping tools to locate specific trail sections, accurately record maintenance activities, and assist in updating trail maps for users.
• Maintenance Reporting: Diligently maintain records of trail conditions, stewardship activities, and maintenance work completed to support progress reports to municipal partners and club executives.
• Volunteer Collaboration: Work alongside dedicated club volunteers during scheduled trail maintenance days, fostering a collaborative and safe working environment.

Qualifications & Skills

• Independent Work & Reliability: Highly self-motivated with the proven ability to work efficiently and safely with minimal supervision in remote outdoor settings.
• Reliable Transportation: Must possess a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation to independently travel to various trailheads and work sites within your designated region.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently and positively engage with the public, trail users, and local authorities.
• Maintenance Experience: Practical experience using hand tools for landscaping, trail building, or brushing. Basic familiarity with safe chainsaw operation for clearing downed trees is highly preferred.
• Safety & Judgment: A strong understanding of outdoor safety practices, hazard mitigation, and the mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Nice to Have

• Off-Road Riding Ability: Capable of safely operating an off-road motorcycle to effectively access and transport gear to remote or rugged trail sections.
• Familiarity with the OFTR or local affiliated chapter clubs.
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
• Previous experience in customer service, community outreach, or park stewardship.

Locations

We are hiring for specific regions. Candidates will generally be based in and assigned to work sites within one of the following areas (you will not be required to commute between regions):

• Dufferin/Simcoe County
• Kawartha Lakes
• Ottawa Region

Eligibility (Canada Summer Jobs Program)

To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria under the Canada Summer Jobs program:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person granted refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Possess a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment.
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
• Note: International students are not eligible for this position under the Canada Summer Jobs program.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your outdoor experience and the specific region (Simcoe, Dufferin, Kawartha Lakes, or Ottawa) you are applying to work in and email it to info@oftr.ca

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Trail Mapping & Data Management

Student – Trail Mapping & Data Management

Job Title: GIS Student – Trail Mapping & Data Management
Organization: Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR)
Location: Remote (with potential for occasional field visits)
Term: 8 week summer position
Hours:  30 hours per week

About the OFTR

The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building, maintaining, and protecting a sustainable network of off-road motorcycle trails across Ontario. We work with land managers, volunteers, and government partners to ensure safe and environmentally responsible trail use.

Position Overview

The GIS Student will support the OFTR’s trail mapping and data management efforts. This position is ideal for a student passionate about GIS, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship. The successful candidate will help enhance our provincial trail database, assist with map creation for our online and app-based systems, and support decision-making through spatial analysis and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect, organize, and update trail data from various sources (clubs, GPS submissions, and field reports).
  Create and edit trail maps using GIS software 
• Conduct quality assurance to ensure data accuracy and consistency across the trail network.
• Assist with mapping projects related to land use, trail closures, and trail overlays.
• Support integration of GIS data with digital mapping platforms and web applications.
• Collaborate with the OFTR team, clubs, and mapping contractors to improve data workflows.
  

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in Geography, GIS, Environmental Studies, or related field.
• Strong proficiency with GIS software
• Familiarity with GPS data collection and basic spatial analysis techniques.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple datasets.
• Good communication and documentation skills.
• Interest in trails, outdoor recreation, or conservation is an asset.
  

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in applied GIS for recreation and conservation planning.
• Opportunity to contribute to real-world trail management projects.
• Mentorship and exposure to provincial-level trail and land use work.
• A chance to make a positive impact on sustainable motorized recreation in Ontario.
  

Eligibility (Canada Summer Jobs Program)

To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria under the Canada Summer Jobs program:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person granted refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Possess a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment.
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
• Note: International students are not eligible for this position under the Canada Summer Jobs program.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your outdoor experience and email it to info@oftr.ca