Trail Crew Member

Flexible start date, but ideally applicants are able to start on or soon after the date of August 12th.

Four Field Crew Members will work under supervision of a Field Crew Leader and an Assistant Field Crew Leader 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 for at least 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. Crew Members should have good communication skills and judgment, an ability to be trained in the field, professionalism, initiative, willingness to learn, ability to express needs and concerns, emotional maturity and resilience, resourcefulness, and comfort in the outdoors with minimal contact to others while on hitch.

A typical work hitch includes meeting at the SAWS office, driving several hours to a trailhead, backpacking into the project site, staying in the field for 8 days at a time, hiking out, traveling back to the office, cleaning gear, tools, vehicles, and preparing for the next hitch.

Duties and Responsibilites

Duties are done under supervision of the Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader

• Complete field crew member training
• Work with crew leaders to effectively complete critical backcountry stewardship projects while maintaining high standards for project completion
• Assist in developing and maintaining effective, positive relationships with US Forest Service personnel, partner organization staff, and partner organization volunteers
• Create media (blogs, photography, video, etc.) to share for reporting and documentation
• Backpack, camp, and work in physically demanding, remote environments for at least 8 (and sometimes 10) days at a time in adverse weather
• Help to maintain a crew cache of tools and equipment
• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
• Follow SAWS organizational policies in the field
• Contribute to an inclusive, safe, positive, and fun working environment
• Use a variety of hand tools and understand complex rigging systems