Position Summary

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is hiring a trail crew for the 2020 field season. The Greenway Trust will be working closely with government agency partners to complete a series of trail and recreational enhancement projects across the Greenway landscape, with an emphasis on improving recreational access to the Greenway’s network of more than 1,000 miles of wildland trails. Project work will focus on priority trail maintenance and reconstruction projects and will also include support for construction of new trails and other projects. Many of these projects are part of a larger effort by the Greenway Trust and our many partners to enhance recreation opportunities within the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley.

To complete these projects, the Greenway Trust will hire an experienced trail crew from late April through September of 2020. The Trail Crew will work in variable weather, in remote locations, on back and front country trails, on difficult terrain, and under physically demanding conditions, and regularly on overnight “spikes” to backcountry projects.

As a member of the Greenway Trust Stewardship Program, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a highly successful team in an energetic, productive and fast-paced environment. Through extensive hands-on involvement in projects and agency partnerships, you will learn about recreational access and public natural land management, build skills, and gain experience in new trail construction.

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Trail Crew Member is a full-time, seasonal position with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. Crew Members are an integral part of a seasonal trail crew consisting of one Trail Crew Supervisor and three Trail Crew Members. The primary task for the crew will be the maintenance of existing trails and supporting construction of new trails within the Greenway landscape. The position will include operation of trail equipment and building new trail or maintaining existing trails.

The right candidate will be an experienced field hand, familiar with trail work techniques or with similar experience, able to work independently, with other members of a trail crew, and with the Greenway Trust project manager, has at least one season of trail crew or field experience, and is a strong communicator, detail-oriented and quality-driven, with a desire to learn new skills and abilities. Trail Crew Members should be able to hike long distances on a regular basis (10+ miles) while carrying and using common hand and power tools.

The Trail Crew will work closely with Greenway Trust, public land management agencies, contractors, and other nonprofit staff to accomplish project work. The Greenway Trust mission is achieved through collaboration and partnership with the many members of the Greenway coalition – land managers, agency staff, nonprofit partners, volunteers. The Trail Crew represents the Greenway Trust in all interactions with our many partners and will be responsible for meeting the standards and expectations of Greenway Trust staff, land managers, and nonprofit partners.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Proven ability to work and live outside in inclement weather for extended periods of time
  • Working knowledge of proper and safe use of trail tools and equipment (chainsaws, grip hoists, toters, common hand tools, et cetera)
  • Ability to work independently and with a team
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Positive attitude
  • Valid driver’s license with insurable driving record, and ability to pass a criminal history background check
  • An aptitude for problem solving and an ability to represent the program in a professional manner

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification by time of employment
  • Chainsaw and/or crosscut bucking certification, training, or experience
  • One or more years of experience constructing rock retaining walls in a backcountry setting
  • One or more years of experience with backcountry trail crews
  • Experience with new trail construction of a highly technical nature
  • Leave-No-Trace certification
  • Experience with trail maintenance and construction in the Pacific Northwest
  • Experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles on unpaved roads

 

REPORTS TO

Trail Crew Members will report to the Middle Fork Valley Community Coordinator.

 

COMPENSATION

Salary is $18.00 per hour.

This seasonal position is not eligible for paid time off including holiday pay. There may be a possibility of unpaid days off due to inclement weather. Benefits include all legally required items, including paid sick time that accrues at the rate of one hour per 40 hours worked, and the option of participation in the Greenway Trust retirement plan. Chainsaw and crosscut bucking certification will be provided.

 

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE

The trail crew will be based out of the Greenway Trust’s field base, located outside of Issaquah, WA.  Transportation from the satellite base to worksites throughout the Greenway will be provided. The trail crews will work a 10-hour workday, on an 8-days on/6 days off, Thursday-Thursday schedule, with the crew spike camped in front- and backcountry locations. The position is currently scheduled to run from late April through September 2020 with a possible extension thereafter.

 

TO APPLY

Please reference which position you are applying to in your cover letter. The cover letter should have 2-3 examples of why you want to work for the Greenway Trust, your experiences in working with a team in an outdoor environment, and how your work ethic will help the Greenway Trust achieve our mission. This position is open until filled. Email cover letter, resume, references, and any materials you wish to share that are related to your trail maintenance and construction experience to: apply@mtsgreenway.org

 

 

Program Mission and Challenge

The Greenway Stewardship Program provides long-term stewardship of public lands in the Mountains to Sound Greenway, which consists of over 900,000 acres of public lands along Interstate 90 from Seattle to Central Washington. The Greenway Trust works on federal, state, county, city and private lands completing tree plantings, invasive plant removal, riparian restoration, logging road removal, trail maintenance and construction, and a host of other stewardship activities.

 

About the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust leads and inspires action to conserve and enhance the landscape from Seattle across the Cascade Mountains to Central Washington, ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature. Our coalition of community members, businesses, government agencies, and donors is joined together by the ethos that when we have meaningful connections with our natural surroundings, we are healthier and happier, our communities are stronger and more equitable; our lives are better.

Nearly thirty years of collaboration and hard work have tested and strengthened the vision of the Mountains to Sound Greenway. We have proven to this region and the rest of the nation that collaborative conservation, pursued by a broad-based and inclusive coalition of partners, can affect positive change.

 

 

The Greenway Trust is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. Each person is evaluated on the basis of personal aptitude and merit.