Stewardship Trail Crew – 2025 Seasonal

Stewardship Trail Crew – 2025 Seasonal

Colorado Mountain Club's Conservation Department is accepting applications for the 2025 Stewardship Trail Crew.

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.

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

Position Duties

  •  Operate on a small three-person collaborative team in the backcountry.
  • Efficiently complete wilderness trail maintenance 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.
  • Support and participate in CMC volunteer group 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.
  • 2025 project work will entail wilderness 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 in the backcountry.
  • Demonstrated experience with conservation, trail maintenance / restoration, or other outdoor fields.
  • Experience includes both paid and unpaid/volunteer experience.
  • Cross cut and / or chainsaw sawyer certifications a plus.
  • Trail construction, trail maintenance, and trail design experience a plus.
  • 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 10 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 and navigating in the outdoors.
  • Camping both front country & backcountry, backpacking, and outdoor skills.
  • Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid Certification a plus.

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!

Location & Travel

For the 2025 season, this position will be field based, with staging out of Gunnison, Lake City and/or Paonia, Colorado. Fieldwork will be conducted on public lands surrounding the staging area. The Conservation Department is remotely based with current staff in Salida, Colorado. CMC’s headquarters is in Golden, Colorado. 

Compensation

Trail Stewardship Crew:

  • $17.50-21/hour (Depending on qualifications)
  • Four-day work week / Monday - Thursday
  • Four – 10 hour days per week
  • Seasonal / Up to 16 weeks (Early June through Early 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 in early March 2025.

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.