Wilderness Stewardship Crew Member

BACKGROUND 

Founded in 1988, the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is a conservation non-profit organization that partners with the San Juan National Forest, Rio Grande National Forest, Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other agencies providing outreach, education and stewardship throughout SW Colorado.

JOB SUMMARY

Do you love Wilderness, backpacking, and working in remote areas? The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) Wilderness Stewardship Crew operates under the supervision of a Crew Leader as a four-person team in rugged, remote, and beautiful backcountry Wilderness areas in Southwest Colorado. This position entails significant backpacking with tools and equipment to many high-elevation Wilderness areas in a variety of weather conditions. The crew performs Wilderness monitoring, makes public contacts, conducts trail maintenance, and prioritizes clearing trails of downed trees with cross cut saws. The Wilderness Stewardship Crew will conduct a variety of backcountry Wilderness projects under the supervision/guidance of a SJMA crew leader and in partnership with San Juan National Forest (SJNF) staff. Crew Members will receive a broad spectrum of relevant training and will end the season with a range of hands-on Wilderness stewardship experience.

LOCATION: SJMA is housed in the San Juan National Forest Headquarters in Durango, Colorado. This position will be primarily field based. Work is performed in remote backcountry locations (i.e. Weminuche Wilderness) for multiple days at a time. 

HOURS and SEASON

This is a seasonal, full-time, 40 hours per week position (non-exempt). SJMA’s field season runs from early June – mid August and will generally follow a four-day on, three-day off work schedule, with crew working 10-hour days. A limited number of eight-day hitches may be required to access remote project locations.

General Duties

As a part of the Wilderness Stewardship Crew, Members will work together as a four-person team to:

• Improve trail access in Wilderness areas through log removal with cross cut saws and axes.
• Engage with backcountry visitors to increase public knowledge of Leave No Trace principles, Wilderness etiquette, and safety.
• Complete Wilderness characteristic monitoring and data collection as needed.
• Composure when working with others during strenuous physical activity in all types of weather and at high elevations.
• Communicate effectively and uphold a positive attitude.
• Abide by all safety protocols and wear required Personal Protective Equipment.
• Backcountry overnight travel, including navigation and Emergency Response Planning.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive backpacking and backcountry camping experience is a must.
• Physical fitness – ability to lift and carry 50-75 lbs, and backpack up to 12 miles/day in all types of weather conditions and at high elevations.
• Demonstrated team-based outdoor experience.
• Knowledge of Wilderness principles, concepts, and policies.
• Map and compass, backcountry navigation and travel.
• Wilderness First Aid certification is a plus, but not required.
• Tool use and safety (cross cut saw experience/certification a plus).
• Experience with public engagement, including public speaking and education.
• Data collection, compilation, and reporting.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, reliable transportation.

COMPENSATION

• $17.00-19.00 per hour DOE.
• Mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use to work sites.
• Two Uniform shirts, rain jacket, hat(s), and name tag provided. A gear stipend will also be provided.
• Training included: Wilderness First Aid, Cross cut Saw, Leave No Trace.
• End-of-season bonus awarded to Crew Members who complete the full field season.
• SJMA offers a Simple IRA plan with a 3% match, and one hour of sick time per 30 hours worked, per Colorado law.