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Mountain Rescue Jobs in Maine (NOW HIRING)

Mountain Rescue information

See Maine salary details

$10

$38

$67

How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for mountain rescue in Maine is $38.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.20 and $61.92 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.

How much do mountain rescuers make?

Mountain rescuers' salaries vary depending on location, experience, and whether they work for government agencies, non-profits, or private organizations. On average, they earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, with some experienced rescuers or those in specialized roles earning higher wages. Many also receive training in first aid, rescue techniques, and sometimes work on a volunteer basis or part-time.

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 familiarity with rescue equipment like harnesses and pulleys.

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 location. Paid roles typically offer compensation for training, on-call hours, and rescue operations, while volunteer positions rely on community service and may not provide financial compensation.

How to become part of mountain rescue?

To become part of mountain rescue, candidates typically need relevant outdoor skills, physical fitness, and first aid certifications such as Wilderness First Responder or equivalent. Volunteer experience in outdoor activities and training in rescue techniques are also important steps in joining a mountain rescue team.

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.
What are popular job titles related to Mountain Rescue jobs in Maine? For Mountain Rescue jobs in Maine, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mountain Rescue jobs in Maine look for? The top searched job categories for Mountain Rescue jobs in Maine are:
Infographic showing various Mountain Rescue job openings in Maine as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,367 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Sugarloaf Ski Patroller

Boyne Resorts

Carrabassett Valley, ME • On-site

$20/hr

Temporary

PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Boyne Resorts rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 108 rated hotels


Job description

Overview

Sugarloaf Ski Patrol is responsible for managing the general safety of guests and on-mountain employees through the winter season. This includes both prevention and after-incident first aid care as well as high quality rescue services. Daily activities of a Ski Patroller may include but are not limited to monitoring mountain areas for injured, reckless, and lost skiers/snowboarders and for skiing hazards; providing first aid and other necessary assistance to skiers and snowboarders; enforcing company skiing safety regulations; completing ongoing training and emergency procedures practice; and performing various trail and lift inspections and maintenance tasks.

As most work is performed on skis or a snowboard, candidates must be all mountain/all-weather skiers or riders. All other aspects of the job are trained on site and team members are paid for training hours.

This full-time seasonal role typically works four ten-hour days each week and is expected to start in the last week of October. This role is anticipated to start at a wage of $20 per hour (depending upon experience) and comes with ample opportunity for growth. If you are a safety oriented outdoor enthusiast and team player, this is the job for you!


Responsibilities
  • Patrol assigned mountain areas regularly to ensure that all trails are properly marked; to identify injured, lost, out of control and reckless skiers and snowboarders; to identify existing or potential skiing hazards; and to monitor and report on weather/skiing conditions, skiing traffic and the like
  • Maintain roped boundaries on Sugarloaf and Burnt Mountain
  • Enforce company skiing safety regulations, including taking of appropriate disciplinary action when needed
  • Promote safety for guests and employees through education and personal behavior
  • Perform trail opening and closing procedures as well as trail and lift checks, sweeps, and maintenance as directed by hill chief  
  • Ensure proper preparation for mountain operations and for side-country and backcountry rescues
  • Search for missing persons and equipment.
  • Stand by awaiting emergency calls. Assist with dispatch duties.
  • Administer emergency care/first aid to injured skiers and snowboarders; assess condition of and stabilize patient, render appropriate treatment, such as splinting, transport to base area in a toboggan.
  • Transport uninjured skiers or snowboarders who are having difficulty or have lost or damaged equipment to base area by toboggan or snowmobile.

Qualifications
  • Must be able to ski or snowboard all terrain in all types of conditions
  • Medical skills and certifications such as EMT, WFR, or OEC certificate or greater, plus CPR/AED, must be attained in 1st season. 
  • Must be able to withstand harsh winter conditions for long periods of time
  • Must be able to work as a team player
  • Must be able to lift 70 lbs. or more and be able to ski/ride while carrying cumbersome gear
  • Must have a safety-oriented perspective and strong communication skills

Sugarloaf Team Member Benefits include:

  • Free lift pass for skiing and/or riding
  • Discounts at resort F&B and retail locations
  • Discounted ski/snowboard lessons and rentals
  • Access to Nordic trails and discounted equipment rentals at our Outdoor Center location
  • Discounted passes at other Boyne and partner resorts
  • Team Members may also be eligible to earn up to 40 hours of paid time off
Qualifications:
  • Must be able to ski or snowboard all terrain in all types of conditions
  • Medical skills and certifications such as EMT, WFR, or OEC certificate or greater, plus CPR/AED, must be attained in 1st season. 
  • Must be able to withstand harsh winter conditions for long periods of time
  • Must be able to work as a team player
  • Must be able to lift 70 lbs. or more and be able to ski/ride while carrying cumbersome gear
  • Must have a safety-oriented perspective and strong communication skills

Sugarloaf Team Member Benefits include:

  • Free lift pass for skiing and/or riding
  • Discounts at resort F&B and retail locations
  • Discounted ski/snowboard lessons and rentals
  • Access to Nordic trails and discounted equipment rentals at our Outdoor Center location
  • Discounted passes at other Boyne and partner resorts
  • Team Members may also be eligible to earn up to 40 hours of paid time off
Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: TEMPORARY

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About Boyne Resorts

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Boyne Resorts, headquartered in Boyne Falls, Michigan, US, is a renowned leader in the resort industry. Offering a wide array of recreational, real estate, and retail products, Boyne specialises in providing memorable vacation and lifestyle experiences. The company's expansive portfolio includes ski and golf resorts, real estate developments, and other leisure-based businesses across North America. Founded in 1947 by Everett Kircher, it represents one of the most successful, privately-owned, multi-resort companies in the history of the leisure industry. Boyne Resorts is deeply committed to providing exceptional guest experiences, underpinned by values including innovation, integrity, passion, perseverance, and stewardship.

Industry

Traveler accommodation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Boyne Falls, MI, US

Year founded

1947