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Mountain Rescue Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

BLACKBERRY FARM

Ropes Course Guide

Walland, TN · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

... Mountain's Canopy Course and be responsible for all course inspections required to meet industry ... rescue procedures Must comply with all company policies and procedures. To perform the essential ...

SMR

Waterpark Attendant/Lifeguard

Pigeon Forge, TN · On-site

$20/hr

Smoky Mountain Resorts (SMR) is a family-focused, collaborative and goal-driven hospitality resort ... The Pool Attendant is trained in water safety and may rescue pool users (guests) who may be sick ...

SMR

Aquatics Supervisor

Sevierville, TN · On-site

$21 - $23/hr

Smoky Mountain Resorts (SMR) is a family-focused, collaborative and goal-driven hospitality resort ... In the event of a potential emergency, assist or rescue pool users (guests) who may be sick, hurt ...

All JobsMountain Rescue JobsMountain Rescue Jobs in Tennessee

Mountain Rescue information

See Tennessee salary details

$9

$35

$63

How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for mountain rescue in Tennessee is $35.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.86 and $58.03 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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Mountain Rescue jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Mountain Rescue jobs in Tennessee? For Mountain Rescue jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mountain Rescue jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Mountain Rescue jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Mountain Rescue jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Mountain Rescue job openings:
Mountain Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mountain Rescue job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,401 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Soaky Mountain Waterpark Lifeguard

Wilderness Territory

Sevierville, TN • On-site

$14 - $15/hr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

SUMMARY: The key duty of a Lifeguard is to uphold the standards set forth by Jeff Ellis and Associates, Wilderness at the Smokies and Soaky Mountain Waterpark.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.
  • Oversee guest safety while in waterpark.
  • Maintain lifeguard License with Jeff Ellis and Associates.
  • Assist in maintaining cleanliness of waterpark.
  • Attend monthly in-service training as required.
  • Participate in contributing to guest satisfaction.
  • All other duties as assigned by management.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Level 1
No prior experience or training.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Level 3
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Level 2
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY: Level 3
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
  • Ellis & Associates Lifeguard License

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Ability to swim proficiently to rescue others.
  • Comfortable working on elevated structures, such as slide towers.
  • Willingness to perform any required task within associate's capabilities in order to effectively meet the needs of the company.
  • Ability to get along well with others.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Ability to act independently with little supervision.
  • Efficiently handle multiple duties.
  • Requires a good understanding of company policies and procedures.
  • Ability to handle stressful situations
  • Good attendance and punctual.
  • Exhibits professionalism.
  • Exhibits good grooming habits.
  • Wears the proper uniform.
  • Works efficiently.
  • Follows all resort and office policies and standard operating procedures.
  • Conducts themselves in a professional manner with a positive attitude.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age for Shallow Guard, and 16 years of age for Special Facilities guard

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Activities:
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
    • Regularly stand, walk, talk and/or hear
    • Frequently use hands to finger, handle and/or feel, reach with hands and/or arms, climb and/or balance
    • Occasionally sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl

Lifting Activities:
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
    • Regularly lift up to 10 and 25 pounds
    • Frequently lift up to 50 pounds with assistance
    • Occasionally lift up to and more than 100 pounds with assistance

Vision Requirements: Close Vision, Distant Vision, Peripheral Vision, Depth Perception, Ability to Adjust Focus
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
  • Regularly exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather), outdoor weather conditions, work near moving mechanical parts, and at risk of UV radiation
  • Frequently work in high precarious places and exposed to vibration
  • Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles

Noise Levels: Loud

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