Washington Trails Association is seeking a Trail Crew Leader who loves working with people and shares our commitment to trail stewardship and volunteerism. The Trail Crew Leader works outdoors leading volunteers in building and maintaining trails on public lands. The position’s primary responsibility is to lead one-day work parties in NW Washington with a focus on trails managed by Mount Baker Ranger District and other agency partners in Whatcom, Island, San Juan and Skagit Counties. This is a temporary, field-based, full-time position that reports to the NW Regional Manager.

Washington Trails Association enhances hiking experiences in Washington by empowering a diverse and growing community of hikers to explore, steward and protect trails and public lands. WTA has built the largest statewide volunteer trail maintenance program in the nation using a proven formula of “be safe, have fun and get some work done.” WTA leads 160,000 hours of volunteer service annually to maintain, repair and build trails across the state; one-quarter of volunteers are youth 18 and under. WTA is committed to cultivating an inclusive culture and environment at WTA where staff and volunteers of all identities feel valued.

Major responsibilities include:

Supporting volunteer work parties

  • Assist the Crew Leader in establishing a safe, fun and inclusive working environment for a crew of up to ten volunteers of diverse backgrounds, predominantly working with youth ages 14-18
  • Help support, motivate, and train volunteers to complete a variety of trail projects. Projects may include annual maintenance, new trail construction, installing drainage structures, and construction of steps, turnpike, puncheon and retaining walls
  • Effectively manage emergency situations following WTA’s emergency response protocols
  • Positively represent WTA mission, programs, and membership in all interactions with volunteers, trail users, and others

Supporting camp and volunteers

  • Assist Crew Leader in arriving at each trip location with tools, equipment and work plan
  • Assist with all aspects of camp management, including set-up, breakdown, and food preparation and management
  • Engage volunteers in all aspects of camp life including meal prep, water collection, and activities

Documenting work parties

  • Help to ensure safety talk is delivered to volunteers and documented
  • Report all incidents affecting the safety, health, and well-being of volunteers
  • Provide digital photo documentation of project progress and volunteer engagement

Schedule:

The Assistant LGBTQ+ Trail Crew Leader position is a temporary position starting in June 2019 and continues through August 2019. The expected schedule for supporting each Youth Volunteer Vacation trip is 6 days for frontcountry trips (Sunday to Friday), and 8 days for backcountry trips (Saturday to Saturday) with occasional exceptions. During this time, the ACL will camp with the crew in frontcountry and backcountry locations. We strive to schedule 6 days off between trips. Mandatory paid training is June 24-27 (within two hours of Seattle).

Desired skills, experience and personal traits preferred:

  • An understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences and community issues
  • 19 years of age or older
  • At least 1 year post-high school education or work experience equivalent
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and economic backgrounds
  • Demonstrated experience working with youth and the ability to mentor teenagers
  • Demonstrated experience with trail maintenance or other similar types of construction
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create a crew community where every member feels included and valued
  • Ability to effectively manage emergency situations
  • Ability to work in an outdoor environment, including hiking and backpacking up to 10 miles daily in a variety of terrain, and follow minimum impact guidelines
  • Ability to work 12+-hour days (~7 hours of trail work + camp management)
  • WFR certification preferred, WFA and CPR certification minimum requirement valid through the duration of employment
    • If offered the position, applicant may be able to take advantage of a free WFA/CPR certification opportunity through WTA’s spring training series in March
  • Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a truck on highways and dirt roads
  • Full availability from late-June to August, including training dates

Youth Trail Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders are responsible for their own transportation to our logistics facility in North Bend and/or trailheads for trips. For Crew Leaders who have a personal vehicle, mileage reimbursement will be provided.

Compensation:

Compensation for this position is $16.75/hour for training, administrative and scouting assignments. Summer trips are paid a flat rate of $1,000 per frontcountry Youth Vacation and $1,300 per backcountry Youth Vacation. Food is provided during Youth Volunteer Vacation trips. Position is eligible for paid sick leave. WTA
provides safety hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses. WTA does not provide boots, clothing or other personal outdoor and backpacking gear required for field work.

To Apply:

Please apply online at www.wta.org/jobs. This position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by January 20, 2018. Finalists must pass a Washington State background check. If you have any questions, please contact jobs@wta.org.

Washington Trails Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.