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:

Leading volunteer work parties

• Ensure physical and emotional safety for a volunteer crew of diverse ages and backgrounds
• Support, motivate, and train volunteers to complete a variety of trail projects. Projects may include annual maintenance, tread construction, drainage structures, and constructions 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

Preparing for work parties

• Arrive at each work party with tools, refreshments and work plan
• Coordinate work party projects and plans with the NW Regional Manager and land manager
• May communicate directly with volunteers via email and phone prior to work parties
• May assist NW Regional Manager and NW Trails Coordinator in identifying appropriate volunteer trail projects

Documenting work parties

• Ensure morning safety review is delivered to volunteers and documented
• Maintain and submit Sign-in and Liability Release for volunteers in a timely manner
• Prepare and submit summary report and thank you email to volunteers for each work party in a timely manner
• Report all incidents affecting the safety, health, and well-being of volunteers
• Using a WTA cell-phone, provide digital photo documentation project progress and volunteer engagement

Other trail maintenance and construction

• Potential to work alongside the selected agency trail crew on assigned days
• Potential to engage youth through school programs and trail maintenance events

Outreach

• Assist efforts to engage hikers, volunteers and community groups in WTA mission, programs and membership
• Represent WTA at community events in the NW region

Schedule:

The Trail Crew Leader is a temporary position starting in May 2019 and continuing through September 2019 but could be flexible based on availability. The expected schedule for the Trail Crew Leader is 30 to 40 hours over 3-5 days each week. As a general rule, work parties will occur on Thursday – Sunday unless otherwise defined and involves working on most weekends. Work party-related communication, as well as documentation of activities, may occur outside of work party days. Several times during the season the crew leader may be assigned to lead volunteers in backcountry trail projects up to 4-7 days in length. Mandatory paid training will be April 15-17 in or near Seattle. Additional paid training will be May 18-19, 2019, in North Bend.

Desired skills, experience and personal traits preferred:

• Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and economic backgrounds
• Demonstrated skills in trail maintenance and building
• Demonstrated experience leading volunteers in an outdoor setting
• Strong interpersonal skills to ensure a fun, safe and quality volunteer experience
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a team effort
• Ability to effectively manage emergency situations
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment, including hiking and backpacking at least 6 miles daily in a variety of terrain, and follow minimum impact guidelines
• WFR certification preferred, WFA and CPR certification minimum requirement valid through the duration of employment
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a truck on highways and dirt roads
• Reliable vehicle for travel including dirt roads (WTA provides mileage reimbursement)
• Reliable internet and printer access for work party planning and documentation
• Availability from May to September plus training dates
• Ability to work weekends and 10-hour days
• A strong commitment to WTA’s mission

Compensation:

The hourly rate for this position starts at $19.75. The position is eligible for paid sick leave. WTA provides a cell phone, safety hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses. WTA does not provide boots, clothing or other personal outdoor and backpacking gear required for fieldwork.

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.