Wilderness Trail Crew Member

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.

Position Duration: May 12 to October 29 2025

Status: Temporary/Seasonal

Compensation: $16.00/hr paid every two weeks

Training Schedule: Training is anticipated to cover three weeks starting May 12. The first week will be SAWS Orientation for seasonal staff and weeks 2 & 3 will be wilderness skills and technical trail skills trainings. Training is expected to occur Monday-Friday but may change as schedule requires.

Hitch Schedule: 8 days working, 6 days off (8 10-hour days) with potential at the end of the season to require 10 days working, 4 days off (10 8-hour days). Exact schedules will be finalized in the spring.

Anticipated Season Schedule:

• Hitch 1: June 4 – June 11
• Hitch 2: June 18 – June 25
• Hitch 3: July 2 – July 9
• Hitch 4: July 16 – July 23
• Hitch 5: July 30 – August 6
• *Week of August 18 SAWS midseason gathering
• Hitch 6: August 27 – September 3
• Hitch 7: September 10 – September 17
• Hitch 8: September 24 – October 1
• Hitch 9: October 8 – October 15
• Hitch 10: October 22 – October 29

Location: Crews are based out of Asheville, North Carolina and Roanoke, Virginia but will be camping and working within various National Forests across the southeast region.

Supervisor: Crew Leader

Crew Structure: One Crew Leader, one Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members

Hiring Timeline:

*Dates are ideal but applicants may be contacted earlier.*

• February 14, 2025: Applications close. Applications received will be reviewed and responded to on a rolling basis.
• February 21, 2025: All applicants contacted for interviews.
• March 7, 2025: First round of interviews completed.
• March 14, 2025: Reference checks completed.
• March 21, 2025: All positions hired.