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Mountain Rescue Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Town of Vail

Emergency Communications Specialist

Vail, CO · On-site

$32 - $33.20/hr

... mountain rescue operations Position Summary: Join our Town of Vail as an Emergency Communications Specialist . We are a strong team working together in a fast-paced environment. When you build a ...

Town of Vail

Emergency Communications Specialist

Vail, CO

$32.80 - $34.03/hr

... mountain rescue operations Position Summary: Join our Town of Vail as an Emergency Communications Specialist . We are a strong team working together in a fast-paced environment. When you build a ...

Town of Vail

Emergency Communications Specialist

Vail, CO · On-site

$32.80 - $34.03/hr

... mountain rescue operations Position Summary: Join our Town of Vail as an Emergency Communications Specialist . We are a strong team working together in a fast-paced environment. When you build a ...

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How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for mountain rescue in Colorado is $41.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.98 and $67.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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 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.
More about Mountain Rescue jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Mountain Rescue jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Mountain Rescue jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Mountain Rescue jobs in Colorado? For Mountain Rescue jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mountain Rescue jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Mountain Rescue jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Mountain Rescue jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Mountain Rescue job openings:
Mountain Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mountain Rescue job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,197 per year, or $41.4 per hour.
Emergency Communications Specialist

Emergency Communications Specialist

Town of Vail

Vail, CO • On-site

$32 - $33.20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Position Overview
The Town of Vail is NOW HIRING Emergency Communications Specialists!
$6,000 HIRING BONUS*
Starting at $32.80/per hour - $34.03/per hour after successfully completing training
Click here to learn more about this dynamic team
Check out how Dispatch plays a crucial role in coordinating mountain rescue operations
Position Summary: Join our Town of Vail as an Emergency Communications Specialist. We are a strong team working together in a fast-paced environment. When you build a career in emergency communications, you will gain first-hand experience into how rewarding this work can be! The teamwork and collaboration isn't the only focus of this job, but also seeing how you play an essential role in public safety. By providing critical services to the community, as an Emergency Communications Specialist, you can make a difference!
Our state-of-the-art communication facility is located in Vail, CO and dispatches emergency service calls 24/7 - 365 days a year, for 13 public safety agencies in Eagle County. This very important role ensures community safety utilizing phone and radio systems to support county-wide Police, Fire, and EMS agencies. To find out more about the Vail Public Safety Communications Center please visit their website.
Emergency Communications Specialist duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Receiving, analyzing & prioritizing 911 calls as well as non-emergent phone calls for Police, Fire, and EMS service.
  • Performing Emergency Medical Dispatch when appropriate and giving lifesaving instructions over the phone to callers.
  • Effectively utilizing a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to prioritize calls, record incident details & identify the status and location of responders in the field.
  • Distributing calls for service for Police, Fire & Medical units according to guidelines.
  • Monitoring radio traffic for Police, Fire & Medical units.
  • Access a secure, nationwide database to look up confidential records for responders, including driver and vehicle registration statuses & warrants.
  • Sending emergency alerts to the public.

*Hiring bonus is provided in 4 installments:
First Installment: $1,500 will be paid during the first pay period of employment.
Second Installment: $1,500 will be paid after the successful completion of the employee's first year of continuous employment.
Third Installment: $1,500 will be paid after the successful completion of the employee's second year of continuous employment.
Fourth Installment: $1,500 will be paid after the successful completion of the employee's third year of continuous employment.
Skills / Requirements
Applicants who are successful in this role are passionate about helping people and giving back to our community. They also have a curiosity and eagerness to learn more about the Public Safety/Emergency services industry and have the ability to remain calm and professional in a variety of situations.
Additional qualifications include:
  • High School diploma or equivalent.
  • Ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written skills.
  • The ability to have emotional control in stressful situations.
  • Can display empathy & compassion.
  • Strong computer and typing skills.
  • Ability to work a variety of shifts - including weekends, holidays and over-night shifts.
  • Guest service, call center or emergency services related experience preferred.

Culture / Lifestyle / Benefits
Are you interested in living and working in Vail, CO? Imagine skiing, camping and an amazing community just outside your back-door!
When asked, many of our employees say that working for the Town of Vail feels like family. Our employees continually strive for excellence and take pride in serving the community. Mountain views, a professional team and the benefits are just some of the things we all love about working here! See our video here! We invite you to learn more about working with us.
To find out more about our community, please visit our website www.vailgov.com and click on Vail Information.
The Town of Vail offers an excellent benefits and compensation package, including health and dental coverage, town-funded retirement, 457 pre-tax savings plan, tennis pass, golf passes and other ski pass/wellness benefits. In addition, we offer employee housing (limited availability) to help those relocate to the area.
The Town of Vail is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We believe diversity makes us stronger!
The Town of Vail provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics information, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other status protected by law or regulation. We do this not only because its the law but because it is the right thing to do. It is our intention that all qualified employees and applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

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