Assistant Field Crew Leader – Trail Crew

Start Date: Preference will be given to candidates with availability to start in late January or early February but anyone with ability to start in early 2026 should apply

Position Duration: Position is year-round with funding secured through August 2030, with potential to extend

Status: Regular/Full Time

Compensation: $22 per hour paid every two weeks

Position Supervisor: Virginia Program Manager

Location: One crew based in Roanoke, VA – performing work across the George Washington and Jefferson NF.

Schedule: Expectation for this position is 40 hours per week. Weekly schedule will be dependent on project and time of year but will include 8-day and 4-day hitches, generally camping overnight but returning home at the end of the workday when project logistics allow.

Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members

Application Deadline: Applications accepted until position is filled

The Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders will cooperate to lead four Crew Members while camping and working on remote projects with limited to no cell service. Crews are expected to backpack and live in physically demanding, remote environments often for 8 (and sometimes 10) days at a time. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly including freezing temperatures, high humidity, persistent rain, and high elevation. The remote nature of our work may mean delayed access to medical care. Leadership of the crew will require excellent communication skills and judgment, maturity, ability to train in the field, professionalism, initiative, emotional maturity and resilience, resourcefulness, patience, ability to delegate tasks, technical trailwork skills, and comfort in the outdoors with minimal contact with others while on hitch. Crew leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders are expected to make decisions in the field to keep their crew safe and provide a high quantity and quality of work for our partners. While Crew Leaders and Assistnat Crew Leaders will collaborate to lead their crew, Crew Leaders are ultimately responsible for successes and shortcomings of the crew.

A typical work hitch includes meeting at the SAWS office, driving a SAWS vehicle to a trailhead (sometimes multiple hours), backpacking into the project site, staying in the field for up to ten days at a time, hiking out, traveling back to the office, cleaning gear, tools, vehicles, completing reporting requirements, and preparing your crew for the next work hitch.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

All duties are performed in collaboration with and under the supervision of the Crew Leader.

Crew Management

• Transport crew and equipment safely in SAWS 11-passenger vans or SAWS truck
• Adjust plans and make decisions as the season, work week, or day unfolds
• Manage, train, supervise, and lead the day-to-day details of project work in varied weather conditions
• Communicate directions, project specifications, and constructive feedback to supervisees
• Monitor, manage, and promote the crew’s physical and emotional safety on and off the work site
• Teach leadership skills and facilitate leadership opportunities Crew Members
• Check in daily via emergency communication device
• Maintain an inclusive, safe, positive, and fun working environment
• Learn, practice, and teach ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques

Trail Repair and Maintenance

• Use a variety of hand tools and understand complex rigging systems
• Teach and use crosscut saws and axes
• Teach and use dry stone masonry techniques
• Teach and use rigging equipment including griphoists, wire rope, slings, shackles, blocks, and maasdam rope-puller.
• Construct new trail and be familiar with trail layout and design concepts
• Construct a variety of trail structures with wood and rock (stairs, check steps, box steps, rolling grade dips, etc.)
• Hike long distances in steep terrain with heavy gear and tools.

Reporting and Logistics

• Submit paperwork (timesheet, hitch report, incident reports, project photos) in a timely manner
• Maintain a crew cache of tools and equipment
• Assist SAWS staff in developing and maintaining strong, positive relationships with agency personnel, partner organization staff and volunteers
• Craft and curate media (blogs, photography, video, etc.) to share for reporting and documentation
• Follow and implement SAWS organizational policies in the field
• Maintain high standards for project completion and quality work

Benefits

• USFS Crosscut saw certification
• Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification
• Opportunities for professional development and network growth
• May qualify for Public Land Service Corp (PLC) Hiring Authority certificate
• Opportunities for pro-rated gear deals
• Health, dental, vision insurance (Health: Employee pays 20% of monthly premium, 50% of premium for dependents. Dental & Vision: Employee pays 100% of premiums)
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid vacation (20) and holidays (14)
• Sick leave accrual
• Paid parental leave
• Food stipend of $20/day for over night trips

Qualifications

*Any applicant who meets most of the qualifications is encouraged to apply*

In addition to enthusiasm for the SAWS mission, applicants should have the following:

Trailwork Experience/Skills

• Ability to travel on foot over rough terrain for up to 10 miles per day while carrying 60lbs. or more.
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Comfortable navigating and hiking independently in the backcountry with a pack over rough terrain in areas with no or limited cell coverage.
• At least 10 months of active trail work experience ideally with a variety of projects (logging out, rockwork, rigging, brushing, trail design, timber work).
• Demonstrable experience maintaining remote, backcountry trails. Familiarity with Wilderness trail maintenance a plus.
• Previous crosscut and chainsaw experience desired. Candidates with current B-level certifications or ability to certify at B-level at the start of the position will be given strong consideration.

Leadership/Culture

• Ability and desire to create a safe and productive work culture.
• At least 6 months actively serving in a leadership position with experience leading team or group. Ability to express and employ knowledge of group dynamics and conflict resolution preferred.
• Ability and desire to problem solve and take an active role in resolving interpersonal conflicts
• Ability and experience teaching skills to others and providing constructive feedback

Other

• Ability to gain a First Aid and CPR certification. (Current certifications preferred.)
• Must have and be able to maintain a valid driver’s license and can drive a SAWS vehicle.
• Must be able to speak, understand, read, and write English and have strong communication skills both verbal and written.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Ability to pass a background check
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident

About Us

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) sets standards of excellence that inspire, connect, and equip people to steward wild landscapes. We provide stewardship to protected public lands in the Southern Appalachian region, including Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Founded in 2010, SAWS partners with federal agencies, including the Forest Service, to supplement existing stewardship efforts and provide additional support for training, skill-building, and community engagement. SAWS works to support safe access to public lands, preserve natural resources, and develop the next generation of conservation stewards. SAWS is headquartered in Asheville, NC with offices in Roanoke, VA and Johnson City, TN.

SAWS is an equal opportunity employer and provides a drug-free workplace. SAWS values a safe work environment, free from discrimination of any kind.