2024 Trail Crew: Wilderness Monitoring / Stewardship Leaders & Technicians

Colorado Mountain Club's Conservation Department is accepting applications for the 2024 Trail Crew: Wilderness Monitoring / Stewardship Crew Leaders & Technicians.

2024 Trail Crew: Monitoring / Stewardship Leaders & Techs

Applicants should have a strong desire to actively engage in a conservation-focused program that will train, challenge and support participants’ growth and development in their pursuit of meaningful careers in the conservation field.

Monitoring / Stewardship Crew Leaders & Technicians will receive opportunities to work with public land management agencies, non-profits, and volunteers on a wide variety of field-based conservation projects. Program participants will engage in an extensive 2-week training period that focuses on enhancing technical project skills, field-based knowledge as well as conservation leadership strategies.

Position Duties

  • Operate on a small collaborative team consisting of 1 Leader and 2 Technicians
  • Efficiently complete wilderness monitoring assessments and trail conservation projects in a variety of environmental conditions, including adverse weather and terrain.
  • Coordinate logistics with CMC staff and land management agency personnel.
  • Positively interact with all user groups of public lands throughout Colorado.
  • Effectively communicate with CMC staff, partners, and volunteers in a timely manner.
  • Complete reporting & administrative tasks assigned by CMC staff and agency personnel.
  • Assist in management of crew budget and expenses.
  • Support and participate in CMC activities and tasks.
  • Utilize and engage in CMC risk management strategies.
  • Transport crew and gear safely in CMC vehicles.
  • Position duties are subject to change based on program and project priorities.
  • 2024 project work will entail wilderness monitoring assessments and backcountry trail projects.

These qualifications are an ideal, if you are motivated about this type of work but lack these specific qualifications we encourage you to still apply!

Technician Qualifications

  • Physically fit and able to work 10-hour days in adverse conditions.
  • Demonstrated experience with conservation, trail, restoration, or other outdoor fields.
  • Experience includes both paid and unpaid/volunteer experience.
  • Ability to work both independently and on a team with a collaborative culture.
  • Capacity to professionally communicate in complex situations.
  • Ability to adapt and adjust to changing work conditions and/or priorities.
  • Good driving record and must hold a valid driver’s license.
  • Ability to hike up to 15 miles with a heavy (30+lbs.) pack.
  • Ability to occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing 60 pounds or more.
  • Must be able to speak, understand, read and write English. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Experience with living & working outdoors, camping both frontcountry & backcountry, backpacking, and outdoor skills.

Leader Qualifications

  • Leadership experience in the conservation field.
  • Experience teaching, facilitating and team building with diverse groups of people.
  • Participation in outdoor activities, work, lifestyle and/or pursuits.
  • Ability to mitigate interpersonal conflict and receive critical feedback.
  • Extensive experience in the backcountry including backpacking and navigating.
  • Knowledge of land management agencies operations and expectations.
  • Bachelor’s degree and/or college coursework with a focus on natural resources.
  • Trail construction, trail maintenance, or trail design experience.
  • Crosscut and/or chainsaw certification.
  • Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid Certification

Location & Travel

For the 2024 season, these positions will be field based, with staging out of Salida, Gunnison or Steamboat Springs. Fieldwork will be conducted on public lands surrounding the staging area. The Conservation Department is remotely based with current staff in Salida and Gunnison. CMC’s headquarters is based in Golden, CO. 

Compensation

Trail Stewardship Leader:

  • $19-22/hour (Depending on qualifications)
  • Four-day work week (Four – 10 hour days per week)
  • Season (Mid-May through Mid-October)
  • 40 hours paid leave for the season
  • Gear stipend

Trail Stewardship Technician:

  • $17.50-19/hour (Depending on qualifications)
  • Four-day work week (Four – 10 hour days per week)
  • Seasonal (Mid-May through Mid-October)
  • 40 hours paid leave for the season
  • Gear stipend

To Apply

Email brian@cmc.org with a cover letter, resume and three professional references. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with preference given to earlier applicants. Hiring for these positions will begin immediately. Please specify which position you are applying for – Trail Stewardship Leader or Trail Stewardship Technician.

Non-Discrimination

Colorado Mountain Club firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity of all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected category, pursuant to applicable federal state or local law.