Trail Crew Member

Job Type: Full-time, seasonal

Hourly Wage: $20.00 to $22.00 depending on experience

Experience: Minimum 1 year; Preferred 2 – 4 years

Deadline:  Applications are considered on a rolling basis; early application is highly recommended.

MISSION:

The Cottonwood Canyons Foundation supports the environment of the Cottonwood Canyons through stewardship and education.  The Cottonwood Canyons provide approximately 60% of the drinking water for the Salt Lake area. Located just east of Salt Lake City (and home to Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude), the Cottonwood Canyons are located within one of the most highly visited portions of national forest in the nation, with the tri-canyons receiving over 5 million visits a year.

CCF strives to educate the public on the Canyons’ importance and how they can help promote their ecological health. CCF works to provide the community with direct and hands-on ways to give back to this environment through volunteering.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Cottonwood Canyons Foundation is seeking professionals for the 2026 Trail Crew field season. We are looking for applicants who have proven experience in building trails and are passionate about trail stewardship and education. The Trail Crew Members will staff a professional trail crew working on a variety of trail projects in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Millcreek Canyon. The position is field-based and labor-intensive, with work ranging from technical stone masonry projects to coordinating volunteer events.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work alongside Forest Service staff, fellow trail crew members, and volunteers to create sustainable trails
• Lift, transport, and position materials into stable structures following specifications established by the CCF Trail Crew Lead
• Safely and efficiently work with a variety of tools, including chainsaws and crosscut saws, power tools, rock hammers and chisels, rock bars, hammer drills, feathers and wedges, and assist with maintenance of equipment
• Assess, train, and supervise volunteers in safe, efficient techniques for tread construction, and material gathering, transport, and construction of rock structures
• Work closely with and follow specific directions from the Trail Crew Lead
• Be reliably prompt and available to work a regular schedule
• Interact with community members in a polite and professional manner to promote the mission of CCF
• Create and maintain a collaborative work environment by consistently communicating respectfully and effectively with all parties involved

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Moderate to advanced knowledge and experience in trail construction and restoration with an emphasis on major projects, stonework, stone quarrying, and material management. Minimum 1 year experience required; 2 – 4 years’ experience preferred
• Experience training, supervising, and/or managing other staff and volunteers
• Conscientious judgment and experience in managing risk
• Possess a very strong work ethic, drive for a quality finished product, and strong problem-solving skills
• An ability to work in both a team and an independent setting
• Extreme flexibility, adaptability, creativity, and the ability to multitask and think quickly on one’s feet
• Possess a high level of fitness including ability to hike with weight and on unsure terrain, strong cardiovascular fitness, ability to lift up to and exceeding 50 lbs on a continual basis
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• A- or B-level Sawyer Certification preferred
• WFA/WFR Certification preferred
• Possess reliable transportation for occasional personal transport to and from worksites (paid mileage)
• In accordance with partner grant requirements, CCF maintains a drug-free workplace. Applicants may be required to pass a criminal background check as a condition of employment

SCHEDULE

• Crew Season: May to September
• Work sites are located in Millcreek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon, with occasional projects in outlying areas
• Work Schedule is 8-hour shifts, Tuesday – Saturday

BENEFITS

• Hourly salary range of $20.00 – $24.00, depending on experience
• PTO accrues at 13.3 hours per month (approximately 8 days over May – September season); PTO offered in lieu of paid holidays
• Uniform shirts provided, boot stipend provided, paid professional development training provided
• Season completion bonus