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Mountain Rescue Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Dispatcher

South Lake Tahoe, 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 ...

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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All JobsMountain Rescue JobsMountain Rescue Jobs in California

Mountain Rescue information

See California salary details

$10

$38

$69

How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 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 55% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Ski and Snowboard Patrol

Powdr

Truckee, CA

$19/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Woodward Tahoe (Boreal and Soda Springs), located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range, is a year-round world-class action sports facility with a culture that comes straight from our main product: Fun. If this sounds like the kind of place you'd like to work, progress, and play, we'd love to hear from you!

We're currently hiring Ski and Snowboard Patrollers for the upcoming winter season. If you're experienced on the mountain, confident in first aid response, and thrive under pressure, this is your opportunity to join one of the most respected teams on the hill.

This is a Full-Time or Part-Time, Seasonal position with employee housing available starting at $325/month.

Perks:

  • Starting pay: $19/hour (with higher pay possible for advanced EMT/OEC certifications or returning patrollers)

  • Health insurance options for ALL employees

  • Employee housing available - starting at just $325/month

  • Free season pass to Boreal, Soda Springs, and all POWDR resorts

  • Full access to the Bunker-Woodward Tahoe's indoor training facility with trampolines, foam pits, skateparks, and more

  • Discounts on food, retail, and gear

  • Discounts for friends and family

  • Paid volunteer opportunities

  • Work in a fun, supportive, mountain-town environment

  • Career advancement opportunities across the Woodward and POWDR network

What You'll Be Doing:

As a member of our Patrol team, you'll play a critical role in guest safety, terrain management, and emergency response. You'll be visible across the mountain, ensuring trails are safe, responding to incidents, and supporting operational excellence.


Daily Responsibilities:

  • Perform morning trail checks and open/close terrain

  • Respond quickly to on-mountain incidents and injuries

  • Provide first aid and coordinate guest transport as needed

  • Assist with toboggan handling and loading patients safely

  • Support avalanche safety, terrain closures, and hazard marking

  • Educate guests on mountain safety and etiquette

  • Maintain and restock medical supplies at patrol stations

  • Serve as a first responder in emergency situations, including lift evacuations

Work Environment & Schedule:

  • Outdoor mountain environment with challenging winter conditions (snow, wind, cold, variable visibility)

  • Early morning start times, weekend and holiday shifts expected

  • Must be comfortable skiing or riding in varied terrain, including off-piste

  • Physically demanding role: lifting, hiking, and toboggan operation required

  • On-call or extended hours possible during weather events or major incidents

Who We're Looking For:

  • Strong skiing or snowboarding ability in all conditions (required)

  • OEC, EMT, or WEMT (required or in progress)

  • Active CPR certification

  • Calm under pressure and able to work efficiently in emergencies

  • Strong communication and teamwork skills

  • Dependable, punctual, and safety-minded

  • 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 first day

You make us Woodward. We are a welcoming community that celebrates individual stories, backgrounds, experiences, and identities where we all have "different" in common. We believe in the strength of representing all voices and having space for everyone. We believe in pushing boundaries and bringing our authentic selves to work while embracing uniqueness, creativity, and different points of view. Even if you don't think you meet all the qualifications listed for a job, we'd love to hear from you.


If you need assistance with your application, please reach out to talentandculture@woodwardmountaincenters.com

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About Powdr

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Park City, UT, US

Year founded

1993

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