Trail Builder / Crew Member

Location: Loveland, CO
Compensation: $21-$32/hour, commensurate with experience
Employment Type: Full-Time, Project-Based

About Us
Outdoor Recreation Designs (ORD) specializes in Natural Surface Trail Building and maintenance.

Position Overview
As a Trail Crew Member, you’ll work with a team to construct and maintain high-quality natural and surfaced trails.

This is an entry to mid level position with room to grow, ideal for someone with a technical and mechanical mindset who enjoys working outdoors, learning new skills, and tackling challenges.

Responsibilities

• Assist with trail construction and maintenance, including clearing corridors, shaping tread, and finishing trail surfaces.
• Operate and maintain hand tools and small machinery (e.g., chainsaws, compactors, rock drills).
• Move and set rocks, logs, and other natural materials for trail structures.
• Perform basic mechanical troubleshooting and maintenance on tools and equipment.
• Perform finishing work behind equipment using rakes, shovels, loppers, chainsaws, hammers, rock work.
• Perform and inspect work for compliance as outlined in the terms and specifications of the project contract.
• Provide effective communication, including regular project status updates to the Construction Manager.
• Work effectively as part of a crew.
• Contribute to a safe, respectful, and positive work environment.

Required Qualifications

• Strong mechanical/technical aptitude (for example, experience working with machines and cars)
• Strong ability to problem solve.
• Familiarity with small engine and tool preventative maintenance techniques.
• Ability to conduct 40 hours manual labor per week including in varying weather conditions.
• Able to work in a variety of locations including remote and urban trail construction.
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn new skills and follow direction.
• Preferred: Prior experience with construction, landscaping, or trail maintenance.
• Preferred: Prior experience working with small equipment (mini-excavators, skid steers, dozers, etc.)

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Has a technical/mechanical mindset (ability think through problems and see solutions)
• Enjoys problem-solving and hands-on work.
• Is interested in and able to construct sustainable trails.
• Can stay focused and productive through physically demanding tasks.
• Values teamwork and contributing to a meaningful outdoor project.

Required Personal Protection Equipment (PPE):

• Backpack (30L or more)
• Work gloves
• Ear plugs
• Work Boots – hiking boots with some sort of toe protection advised
• Durable, breathable long pants
• Rain gear – jacket with hood and rain pants recommended
• Eye protection (sun/safety)
• Sunscreen/protection
• Cold weather layers
• 3 quarts of water minimum and snacks
• Personal med kit

About the Work Environment

• Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl.
• Frequently required to lift and carry 25lbs repeatedly
• Occasionally work in high, precarious places.
• Occasionally required to lift 50lbs repeatedly.
• Occasionally required to lift 100lbs.
• Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals.
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment can be loud when working on construction projects.
• Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: gas powered chainsaws, gas powered leaf blowers, gas powered weed whackers, gas powered track barrows, gas powered OHV UTV’s and dirt bikes, power tools, hand tools, GPS units, clinometers, and mountain bikes.