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Mountain Rescue Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

County of Mono

Paramedic I/II

Bridgeport, CA · On-site

$61K - $81K/yr

Job Summary The Paramedic I/II position provides advanced emergency medical services and rescue ... Snowboard, ski, or bike down mountain trails, fish for trout, explore the backcountry, play a round ...

Mono County, CA

Paramedic I/II

Bridgeport, CA · On-site

$61K - $81K/yr

... medical services and rescue response in a fast-paced, high-risk environment under general ... Snowboard, ski, or bike down mountain trails, fish for trout, explore the backcountry, play a round ...

Vail Resorts

Experienced Ski Patrol

South Lake Tahoe, CA · On-site

$22 - $27.70/hr

Operate snowmobiles in various areas of the mountain as needed * Ability to participate in snow safety avalanche mitigation * Demonstrate basic avalanche rescue skills * Other duties as assigned Job ...

Vail Resorts

Experienced Ski Patrol

South Lake Tahoe, CA · On-site

$22 - $27.70/hr

Operate snowmobiles in various areas of the mountain as needed * Ability to participate in snow safety avalanche mitigation * Demonstrate basic avalanche rescue skills * Other duties as assigned Job ...

Vail Resorts

Advanced Ski Patrol

South Lake Tahoe, CA · On-site

$23 - $30.61/hr

Operate snowmobiles in various areas of the mountain as needed * Demonstrate a high level of understanding for companion and organized avalanche rescue * Contribute to avalanche mitigation efforts ...

Vail Resorts

Advanced Ski Patrol

South Lake Tahoe, CA · On-site

$23 - $30.61/hr

Operate snowmobiles in various areas of the mountain as needed * Demonstrate a high level of understanding for companion and organized avalanche rescue * Contribute to avalanche mitigation efforts ...

Discovery Land Company

$33/hr

Homewood Mountain Resort,seton the West Shore of Lake Tahoe in Homewood, California. Homewood ... Trains team members in rescue procedures, including fallen worker recovery and safe tower work ...

Vetcor

Veterinarian - Fair Oaks, CA

Fair Oaks, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

River City Cat Rescue * Sierra Wildlife Rescue Supporting local rescue efforts allows us to make a ... About 2 hours to Lake Tahoe for skiing, hiking, and mountain adventures * Easy weekend trips to ...

Vetcor

Veterinarian- Santa Clarita, CA

Santa Clarita, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

We proudly support local rescues including Wolf Connection, SoCal French Bulldog Rescue, Sweet ... Mountain. Please send your resume to Jose at Jizarpate@vetcor.com. We are looking for a ...

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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.

Dispatcher

Heavenly Mountain Resort

South Lake Tahoe, CA

$20/hr

Part-time

Retirement

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Create Your Experience of a Lifetime!

Come work and play in the mountains!  Whether it’s your first-time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re-discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.

With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service - our leading training and development experience, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.

Hiring for our seasonal positions occurs on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until June 15th or until the positions are filled (whichever is first).

Employee Benefits

•    Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons 
•    MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
•    401(k) Retirement Plan 
•    Employee Assistance Program
•    Excellent training and professional development
•    Referral Program

To Learn More, please review the Benefits Eligibility Summary

Job Summary: 
The Dispatcher expedites communications and dispatches company personnel and/or vehicles. This role is responsible for logging, reporting and communicating all moments that require dispatching. 

Job Specifications:  

  • Starting Wage: $20.00/hr - $23.00/hr 
  • Employment Type: Summer Seasonal 2026 
  • Shift Type: Part Time hours available
  • Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age 
  • Housing Availability: No 

Job Responsibilities: 

  • Answer all telephone and radio calls in Dispatch
  • Provide timely and accurate communications and record keeping required for the resort operations team.
  • Keep accurate and up to date daily, weekly and seasonal Dispatch logs and other records related to assigned duties.
  • Perform continuous monitoring of a radio channel system and dispatch phone line.
  • Coordinate emergency travel needs for rescue services arriving at the resort.
  • Other duties as assigned 

Job Requirements:  

  • We will teach you all necessary skills to be able to execute your job safely, no formal experience is necessary
  • Desire to learn and grow
  • Must be able to communicate fluently in English
  • Ability to sit for long periods of time 

The expected pay range is $20.00/hr - $23.00/hr. This is the pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. 

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Requisition ID  516264
Reference Date: 07/29/2026 
Job Code Function: Dispatch - Mtn Ops  

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