The Section Leader performs the following activities.
Develop and maintain the section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, a.k.a Florida Trail, and/or other trails assigned by the Chapter Trail Coordinator.
Coordinate trail maintenance and trail changes with the Chapter Trail Coordinator, the appropriate FTA regional representative and the land managers and owners for the properties through which the trails run.
Work with the Chapter Trail Coordinator to recruit and assign Trailmasters to be responsible for maintaining segments of the trails for your trail section.
Learn and maintain the basic skill sets for FTA Trail Crew Leader and the FNST standards described in the FTA Trail Manual and on the FTA website.
Train Trailmasters according to the FNST standards used to maintain the trails.
Directly communicate with Trailmasters and land managers, land owners and the public on the status and needs of the trail segments.
Ensure that the trail section is inspected twice a year.
Prepare Notices to Hikers and map changes used by the FTA office to update the FTA website and maps and databooks available on it.
Submit and maintain a volunteer profile on the FTA Volunteer Hours Entry System.
Report personal volunteer hours and volunteers hours of members of your section's work crew.
Maintain supplies and equipment necessary for trail maintenance.
NOTE: The Section Leader duties above are derived from the FTA Trail Manual.
The Trailmaster performs the following activities.
Maintain a segment of the FNST and/or other trails designated by the Section Leader.
Inspect the assigned trail segment twice a year.
Report personal volunteer hours to the Section Leader.
NOTE: The Trailmaster role was removed from the FTA Trail Manual in 2024. It is retained here for training use by the FTA Suncoast Chapter.