Hybrid Trail Crew Lead

Organization:
The Wood River Trails Coalition is based in Hailey, ID and focuses on working on trails in and
around the Wood River Valley. We are a nonprofit trail stewardship organization whose mission is to create, maintain, and sustain our trail network for all users. We accomplish this through volunteers, project support and professional trail crew support. Our professional trail crew is a Hybrid Trail Crew that works directly with our federal partners to accomplish trail maintenance throughout the Valley. The crew consists of employees from the Wood River Trails Coalition (WRTC) and the U.S. Forest Service.

We have a strong partnership with our local land managers, including the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These partnerships and local support are how we are able to make the Hybrid Trail Crew model a success. This model lets us fill a hiring gap and meet the different needs of these agencies, whether that is adding capacity or providing crew availability on an as needed basis. This allows us to create a longer and more varied season for our crew, but also helps provide a continuity of trail management throughout the valley and across different land managers.

Job Summary:

This position is a crew lead for a six person trail crew that will work in the Wood River Valley as part of a Hybrid Trail Crew. The crew will be working on both USFS and BLM lands, doing trail maintenance, including some overnight hitches. The crew will work primarily with the Sawtooth National Forest’s Ketchum Ranger District (KRD) and report to the KRD Trail Crew Supervisor and the WRTC’s Field Operations Manager. There will be some work on BLM trails during the shoulder seasons, as well as neighboring USFS Districts.

As the Crew Lead, this position will function as a liaison between WRTC and the Ketchum Ranger District. They will help on-board and train the crew with the KRD Trail Crew Supervisor and WRTC Field Operations Manager, as well as coordinate work and schedules when the crew is working on BLM trails and neighboring USFS districts. This is a permanent seasonal position designed after the USFS’s 13/13 and 18/8 permanent seasonal model.

Responsibilities:

▪ Maintaining and constructing trails to US Forest Service and BLM Standards
▪ Plan, supervise and complete trail maintenance duties including log out, brushing, repairing tread, enhancing drainage features, clearing downed trees, and any other project work needed in coordination with the Trail Crew Supervisor and Field Operations Manager and independently
▪ Plan, supervise and complete project work such as building rock walls, turnpikes, bridges, culverts and other trail infrastructure in coordination with the Trail Crew Supervisor and Field Operations Manager and independently
▪ Operating chainsaws, power tools and other small equipment
▪ Maintaining crew tools and equipment in the field and in the warehouse
▪ Support dispersed and developed recreation needs throughout the season, and other departments as the need arises
▪ Ensuring the safety of fellow trail crew members, volunteers, and the public at all times while in the field
▪ Manage the day to day activities for a crew of five
▪ Plan daily and long term work schedules in coordination with the Trail Crew Supervisor and Field Operations Manager as needed
▪ Ensure crew completes administrative tasks promptly
▪ Submits and ensures crew submits bi-weekly timesheets
▪ Communicates to WRTC about crew scheduling, time off and absences
▪ Take initiative or follow as a situation dictates
▪ Work with and communicate clearly with the public, Volunteers and co-workers
▪ Communicate with and prioritize work between various partners
▪ Communicate with the public about the hybrid trail crew model
▪ Speak to the mission, vision and values of the USFS, BLM, and WRTC
▪ Work cohesively with a crew
▪ Manage crew dynamics
▪ Respond to and adapt plans for the crew in the moment as situations change
▪ Foster and create and environment that is welcoming and safe for co-workers and the public
▪ Identify and share information about trail conditions and trail issues to supervisors
▪ Collect and maintain a record of work accomplishments

Required Qualifications:

▪ Trail crew experience, preferable 2 – 3 years
▪ Excellent communication skills – written and oral
▪ Valid Driver’s License
▪ Ability to pass a background check
▪ Ability to hike long distances and carry/lift 50 lbs
▪ Legally able to work in the U.S. – Citizenship is not required

Desired Qualifications:

▪ Previous Crew Leading experience 1-3
▪ Familiarity with quickbooks time, or other electronic time entry system
▪ Current USFS chainsaw certification – ideally a B-bucker
▪ Current First Aid and CPR
▪ Mountain bike, ebike, dirt bike, equestrian familiarity
▪ Spanish language skills

What You Gain by Working with Us:

▪ Opportunity to work for and with our trail community
▪ Professional development opportunities
▪ Opportunities to acquire certifications through the USFS
▪ Opportunity to work outside
▪ Build partnerships and connections with local land managers
▪ Work at an organization that values and supports their staff

Perks & Reimbursement:

▪ Housing available
▪ Field equipment available (aka backpacks)
▪ Boot stipend
▪ Access to pro deals

Hours/Season:

▪ Permanent seasonal full time position (approximately April 21th through Nov. 14th)
▪ Typical Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 7:00am – 5:30pm with some multi-day, overnight hitches
▪ 1st week will be before the crew arrives as an orientation week
▪ Crew will start on April 28th

Salary & Benefits:

▪ $21.00 – $24.00 an hour (GS 7 equivalent)
▪ OT and Per Diem eligible
▪ Paid Holidays – (Federal holidays that occur during the season)
▪ Paid time off
▪ Year-round health insurance options – 100% employer paid
▪ SIMPLE IRA plan (with 3% employer match) beginning in the next calendar year following initial hire data (i.e. January 2026)

The Wood River Trails Coalition is an equal opportunity employer.