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Mountain Rescue Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sugar Bowl Resort

Patroller

CA · On-site

$24 - $38/hr

... mountain rescue and patrol operations What You'll do: • Respond promptly and courteously to all guest and operational requests • Complete assigned patrol duties and ensure they are carried out ...

New

Powdr

Ski and Snowboard Patrol

Truckee, CA

$19/hr

Experience in patrol, guiding, mountain rescue, or similar roles is a plus * Willingness to train and grow within the department * Required certifications will need to be submitted prior to your ...

Alterra

Activities Guide - Summer

Mammoth Lakes, CA · On-site

$20 - $21.47/hr

Activities include Climbing Wall, Ropes Course, Zip Lines, Summer Tubing, Woolly's Mountain Coaster, bungee, Archery, and more! Requirements: * Experience using climbing equipment and rope rescue ...

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Dispatcher

Kirkwood, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Employee Benefits • Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift ... Coordinate emergency travel needs for rescue services arriving at the resort. * Other duties as ...

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Mountain Rescue information

See California salary details

$10

$38

$69

How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for mountain rescue in California is $38.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.59 and $63.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is mountain rescue?

Mountain rescue refers to the specialized search and rescue operations performed in mountainous or difficult terrain. Teams are typically made up of highly trained volunteers or professionals who respond to emergencies such as injured hikers, lost climbers, avalanches, or severe weather incidents. These rescuers use advanced skills in navigation, first aid, climbing, and sometimes helicopter operations to reach and assist people in distress. Their work is often physically demanding and requires quick decision-making in challenging environments.

What are mountain rescue jobs?

Mountain rescue jobs involve helping people who get lost or experience an injury on a mountain. You search for the climber and provide relief by stabilizing them and getting them to a healthcare facility. Your responsibilities include working as a team to safely complete an expedition, maintaining your gear and equipment, and navigating treacherous terrain to find and remove people who need help. You typically perform your duties on an on-call basis since people can experience issues on a mountain at any time. Therefore, you have to be ready at all times to perform your duties.

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

To thrive as a Mountain Rescue professional, you need expertise in outdoor survival, first aid and emergency medical care, mountaineering techniques, and typically relevant certifications such as Wilderness First Responder or Mountain Rescue Association accreditation. Familiarity with GPS devices, radio communication systems, and specialized rescue equipment like ropes and stretchers is crucial. Strong teamwork, calm decision-making under pressure, and effective communication skills help coordinate complex rescue operations. These abilities are essential for ensuring the safety of both rescuers and victims in challenging, high-risk environments.

What are some common challenges faced by mountain rescue professionals during operations?

Mountain rescue professionals often encounter rapidly changing weather, difficult terrain, and limited visibility, which can make locating and assisting individuals challenging. Team members must be prepared to carry heavy gear and perform physically demanding tasks, sometimes for extended periods. Effective communication and coordination with other rescue team members and external agencies are crucial, especially in high-stress situations. Additionally, mountain rescue work frequently requires quick decision-making to ensure both the safety of the team and those being rescued.

What is the difference between Mountain Rescue vs Search and Rescue Technician?

AspectMountain RescueSearch and Rescue Technician
CertificationsWilderness First Responder, Rope Rescue, Avalanche TrainingWilderness First Responder, Rope Rescue, Search Techniques
Work EnvironmentMountain terrains, remote outdoor areasVaried environments including urban, wilderness, and disaster sites
Employer & IndustryVolunteer and professional rescue teams, outdoor organizationsGovernment agencies, emergency services, military

Mountain Rescue and Search and Rescue Technician roles share many certifications like Wilderness First Responder and Rope Rescue. However, Mountain Rescue focuses specifically on remote mountain terrains and outdoor environments, while Search and Rescue Technicians operate in diverse settings including urban and disaster zones. Both roles are vital in emergency response but differ mainly in work environment and scope.

Does mountain rescue get paid?

Mountain rescue personnel can be paid or volunteer, depending on the organization and region. Paid positions often require specialized skills, certifications, and availability for on-call duties, with compensation varying widely based on the agency and location.

How do you become a mountain rescue worker?

To become a mountain rescue worker, candidates typically need relevant outdoor skills, physical fitness, and emergency response training. Many organizations require certifications such as first aid, CPR, and specialized rescue training, along with experience in mountaineering or outdoor activities.

What do mountain rescue personnel do?

Mountain rescue personnel are trained to locate, assist, and extract individuals in distress in mountainous or remote terrain. They often work in challenging environments, using specialized skills, equipment, and sometimes helicopters to perform rescues safely and efficiently.

What training is needed for mountain rescue?

Mountain rescue personnel typically require specialized training in first aid, technical rope rescue, navigation, and survival skills. Certification programs such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or equivalent are often necessary, along with ongoing physical fitness and experience in outdoor environments.
More about Mountain Rescue jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Mountain Rescue jobs in California?

The most popular types of Mountain Rescue jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Mountain Rescue jobs in California?

For Mountain Rescue jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Mountain Rescue jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Mountain Rescue jobs in California are:

Mountain Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mountain Rescue job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Patroller

Sugar Bowl Resort

CA • On-site

$24 - $38/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Description
Sugar Bowl Resort is seeking enthusiastic and skilled Ski Patrollers to join our mountain safety team. As a key member of our Patrol, you'll play a vital role in delivering exceptional guest experiences while ensuring the safety of everyone on the mountain. If you thrive in a dynamic outdoor environment, love skiing, and are passionate about helping others, we want to hear from you!
Why Sugar Bowl?
Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to "sunny California" since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts a like.
Who You Are:
• Outstanding customer service skills with the ability to remain courteous and professional in all situations, with guests and fellow employees alike
• Ability to perform effectively in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate with other departments
• Self-starter with excellent judgment and the ability to make quick, correct decisions
• Positive attitude, leadership, and motivational skills
• Commitment to prioritizing courtesy, safety, and excellent service
• Current certification in CPR and EMT, OEC (Outdoor Emergency Care), or equivalent
• Expert-level skier capable of confidently skiing all terrain and snow conditions on the mountain
• Physically capable of performing demanding mountain rescue and patrol operations
What You'll do:
• Respond promptly and courteously to all guest and operational requests
• Complete assigned patrol duties and ensure they are carried out effectively
• Perform first aid response, emergency medical care, and mountain safety operations
• Participate in search and rescue activities
• Work on steep and variable terrain in all weather conditions
• Assist with avalanche mitigation, weather monitoring, snowpack evaluation, and incident documentation
Physical Requirements:
• Excellent cardiovascular endurance and stamina to handle long days at altitude in variable weather conditions
• Strong upper body, core, and lower body strength.
• Ability to ski while towing a loaded toboggan in all snow and visibility conditions
• Overall physical fitness sufficient to perform search and rescue operations, avalanche mitigation work, and emergency responses in challenging mountain environments
Winter Benefits:
• Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1,000 worked hours and one (1) year of service
• Paid sick time
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free ski and tubing passes for employees
• Free ski passes for dependents
• 50% off food at our restaurants
• Free group ski and snowboard lessons for employees
• Employee discounted lift tickets for family and friends
• Lift ticket discounts at multiple resorts including 24 Mountain Collective destinations
• Hotel discounts
• Employee ski reciprocal programs
Sugar Bowl Resort believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, hair, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

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