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Handcrew Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arizona State Hospital

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Douglas, AZ · On-site

$24.70 - $27.36/hr

Experience on Type 2, Type 2 IA, or Type 1 handcrew operations in various federal agencies. Pre-Employment Requirements: * NWCG Faller 2 (FAL2) or Trainee (FAL2 must be obtained within one year of ...

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How much do handcrew jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for handcrew in the United States is $26.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Handcrew, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Handcrew, you need physical stamina, knowledge of wildfire suppression techniques, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with chainsaws, hand tools, fire shelters, and safety protocols is typically required, and completion of wildland firefighting certifications like S-130/S-190 is common. Strong teamwork, communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are critical soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring both personal and crew safety while efficiently responding to and containing wildfires.

What are some of the unique challenges faced by handcrews during wildfire suppression, and how is teamwork emphasized on the job?

Handcrews often operate in rugged, remote environments and are tasked with physically demanding work such as constructing firelines, clearing vegetation, and performing controlled burns. One of the major challenges is enduring long hours in extreme weather while maintaining safety and effectiveness. Teamwork is crucial—each crew member relies on others for both safety and efficiency, with strong communication and trust forming the backbone of successful operations. Regular training and clear leadership help ensure the crew functions as a cohesive unit, especially under high-pressure situations.

What are handcrews?

Handcrews are specialized teams of wildland firefighters trained to perform essential fire suppression tasks, such as building firelines, clearing vegetation, and conducting controlled burns. These crews typically work in challenging terrain where machinery can't reach, using hand tools like shovels, axes, and chainsaws. Handcrews play a critical role in containing wildfires and protecting natural resources, property, and lives. They often work long shifts in difficult and hazardous conditions and require strong teamwork, physical fitness, and firefighting skills.

What is the difference between Handcrew vs Firefighter?

AspectHandcrewFirefighter
Required CertificationsWildland Firefighter Certification, CPR, First AidFirefighter Certification, EMT, CPR
Work EnvironmentWildland, forested areas, outdoor terrainsUrban, suburban, and wildland areas
Employer & Industry UsageForestry agencies, wildfire managementFire departments, emergency services
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Handcrews are specialized teams primarily involved in wildfire suppression in wildland environments, requiring specific wildland firefighting certifications. Firefighters, on the other hand, work in various settings including urban and wildland areas, with broader emergency response roles. While both roles focus on fire suppression, their work environments and certifications differ, making them distinct but related careers in fire management.

More about Handcrew jobs
What states have the most Handcrew jobs? States with the most job openings for Handcrew jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Handcrew jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Handcrew jobs are:
Handcrew jobs near you
Infographic showing various Handcrew job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,791 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Trail Construction Handcrew

International Mountain Bicycling Association

Boulder, CO • On-site, Remote

$20 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

The Trail Construction Handcrew is a construction-based, seasonal, non-exempt, hourly paid position responsible for assisting IMBA Trail Solutions (TS) with mountain bike trail construction and operational duties.
Work includes physical labor, the use of hand tools, small equipment operations, tool and equipment maintenance/repair, and executing projects within the outlined scope of work. A Trail Construction Handcrew works with the TS Director of Construction and Operations, TS Construction Manager, Project Managers, TS staff, and subcontractors. The position assumes a variable schedule depending on workload, from 0 - 50+ hours per week, 7 days a week depending on project schedules, weather and other variables. A typical work week is Mon-Fri, 45 hours a week. Extensive travel is required. While traveling lodging, ME&I and milage are covered at or near GSA rates.
Location:
The Trail Construction Laborer position is a remote home-based position requiring frequent travel throughout the United States.
Compensation:
The Trail Construction Handcrew position has an hourly rate of $20-25 per hour.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Execution:
  • Ability to conduct 45 - 50+ hours manual labor per week.
  • Ability to construct sustainable and creative mountain biking tails.
  • Design and construct trail and features per specifications and client expectations.
  • Provide TS Director of Construction and Operations, TS Construction Manager, and TS Project Managers with project status updates.
  • Perform and inspect work for compliance with terms and specifications of contract.
  • Purchase and ensure materials are on-site as needed.
  • Work in a variety of situations including remote and urban trail construction.
  • Ability to travel for prolonged periods of time while scheduled on projects.

Personnel:
  • Ability to work independently and be self-motivated.
  • Support other TS staff in the completion of duties.

Business Development:
  • Maintain positive and professional representation of IMBA at all times.

Administration:
  • Assist with collecting trail data including billable units and trail length and reporting them accurately in daily logs.
  • Implement policies, procedures, risk management protocols and safety guidelines for the Trail Solution program.

Billable Goal:
  • 100% of hours devoted to contracted project tasks.

Requirements
  • Experience in the mountain biking and cycling industry preferred.
  • Intermediate to advanced MTB riding skills including the ability to ride technical trails or jump trails preferred.
  • Experience with the trail construction and trail maintenance preferred.
  • Ability to take written and verbal direction from IMBA TS Management staff, Trail Solutions staff, and clients to complete project goals.
  • Experience working in a team environment.
  • Strong communication (written and verbal) skills.
  • Personable and able to work within a customer service based environment.
  • Ability to work outdoors for long hours performing physical labor.
  • Possess a strong attention to detail.
  • Familiar with small engine and tool preventative maintenance techniques.
  • Possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
  • Continually exposed to the outside environment in all weather conditions including heat, high humidity, cold, wind, rain, snow and freezing conditions.
  • Continually required to work outdoors for 10+ hour shifts with no access to common facilities.
  • Continually required to effectively communicate.
  • Frequently required to travel and work remotely.
  • Frequently required extended travel including driving and flying.
  • Frequently required to stand, sit, walk, crouch, climb, squat.
  • Frequently required to walk on uneven or unstable surfaces.
  • Frequently required to sit.
  • Frequently required to hike 1- 5 miles a day.
  • Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
  • Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl.
  • Frequently required to lift and carry 25lbs repeatedly.
  • Frequently required work near moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment.
  • Occasionally required to hike 8-12 miles per day.
  • Occasionally required to mountain bike trail ride 20+ miles per day.
  • Occasionally work in high, precarious places.
  • Occasionally required to lift 50lbs repeatedly.
  • Occasionally required to lift 100lbs.
  • Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment can be loud when working on construction projects.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
  • Occasionally required to differentiate between orange, pink, and red marking flags.
  • Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: gas powered chainsaws, gas powered leaf blowers, gas powered weed whackers, gas powered Canycoms, gas powered OHV UTV's and dirt bikes, power tools, hand tools, GPS units, clinometers, and mountain bikes.

Competencies:
  • Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
  • Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
  • Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
  • Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate persons with an alternate plan.
  • Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
  • Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Benefits
IMBA offers a generous benefits package including sponsored health, dental, 401(k) and paid time off. We also provide per diems for work locations and provide mileage reimbursement for travels.
IMBA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, IMBA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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