Position Summary

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is seeking two Trail Specialists for the 2020 field season (April – September). Trail Specialists will complete a series of trail and recreational enhancements 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 trail and trailhead maintenance and construction and engaging with and leading volunteers in these activities.

As a member of the Greenway Trust Stewardship Program, you’ll have the opportunity to work with an enthusiastic team in an energetic, productive and fast-paced environment. Through extensive hands-on involvement in projects and agency partnerships, you will gain experience in natural resource and public land management. Trail Specialists will have the opportunity to build leadership skills, gain field experience, and work collaboratively on trail maintenance and construction projects.

The right candidate will be experienced and skilled in trail construction and maintenance techniques, be able to work both independently and in a leadership role with volunteers, has a minimum of one season on a trail crew with leadership responsibilities, is a strong communicator, detail-oriented and quality-driven, and possesses a general interest in the Greenway Trust’s mission and goals.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Trail Specialist position is a full-time, seasonal position with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. Trail Specialists should be able to work independently, in a leadership role with volunteers, and with Greenway Trust project managers, staff, and agency partners, in both front and back-country settings. Duties will include direct field supervision of volunteers, maintaining existing trails, building new trails, mandatory safety check-ins, tracking and reporting of field results, and operation of trail equipment and vehicles.

The right candidate will have a strong trail or field background, who exhibits a positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic, along with a professional approach to working with diverse individuals, volunteers, partner organizations and land managers. A successful Trail Specialist is able to hike long distances on a regular basis (10+ miles) while carrying and using common hand and power tools, is quality- and efficiency-driven as well as detail oriented.

The right candidate will have prior experience and enthusiasm for working with volunteers, experience working in trail maintenance and construction (or related fields), and demonstrates they are a positive and strong communicator, with a willingness and desire to learn new skills and techniques.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Wilderness First Aid certified, or ability to obtain certification by time of employment
• One or more field seasons experience working on trail maintenance or construction, or similar projects
• One or more seasons of experience leading volunteers on field or outdoor-related projects
• Proven ability to work and live outside in inclement weather for extended periods of time
• Ability to maintain strong fitness in order to hike effectively in mountain terrain, carrying a backpack, tools and equipment
• Ability to demonstrate and teach proper and safe use of hand tools to volunteers
• Ability to work independently and with a team and to plan and prioritize multiple tasks
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Positive attitude and ability to represent the program in a professional manner
• Valid driver’s license with insurable driving record, and ability to pass criminal history background check

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Wilderness First Responder certification
• Current chainsaw and/or crosscut certification or training
• Working knowledge of proper and safe use of trail/field equipment (common hand tools, power tools, chainsaws, grip hoists or rigging equipment, toters/power wheelbarrows, et cetera)
• Experience with trail maintenance and construction in the Pacific Northwest
• Experience in a conservation-related field

POSITION DETAILS

Compensation: Salary is $19.00/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.

Work Schedule:  Typical work schedule will be Wednesday-Saturday 7am-5:30pm. Certain projects will require technicians to “spike” camp for four- to eight-day periods.

Work Location: This position will be based out of the Greenway Trust’s field base at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, WA. Transportation from the field base to worksites throughout the Greenway will be provided.

REPORTS TO

Trail Specialists will report to the Recreation Projects Manager.

TO APPLY

Email cover letter, resumé, references, and any materials you wish to share that are related to your volunteer leadership, trail maintenance and construction or related experience to: apply@mtsgreenway.org

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 leadership style, including successes or failures that shaped your leadership, and how you balance technical requirements with the soft skills necessary for this position.  This position is open until filled.

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.