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Mountain Rescue Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Massanutten

Ski/Bike Patroller (Seasonal)

VA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

... mountain bike and ski or snowboard skills National Ski Patrol member Preferred EMS experience Rope rescue experience Typical Schedule Days: Varies, including weekends and holidays Hours: Varies ...

Goochland County, VA

Fire Marshal

Goochland, VA · On-site

$120K/yr

Fire Rescue Opening Date: 05/06/2026 Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:00 PM Eastern FLSA: Non-Exempt ... drive to beaches or mountain tops. We have great proximity to major cities including ...

Liberty

Outdoor Rec Programming Assistant

Lynchburg, VA

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

... Mountain Trail Races Series. * Provide excellent customer service to participants on all programs ... Wilderness First Aid Certifications, Challenge Course Certifications, and/or Swiftwater Rescue ...

New

Herschend Corp.

Water Country - EMT

Portsmouth, VA

$17.25 - $22.75/hr

Our story began 75 years ago when the Herschend family discovered wonder deep in an Ozark Mountain ... rescue and emergency medical principles, practices, and techniques. • Practical knowledge of ...

NVA

Medical Director

Purcellville, VA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Strong partnerships with local rescue organizations * Innovation-focused : Continuous facility ... Surrounded by wineries, breweries, hiking trails, and Blue Ridge Mountain views This is where you ...

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Mountain Rescue information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$39

$69

How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for mountain rescue in Virginia is $39.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.68 and $63.41 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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.

More about Mountain Rescue jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Mountain Rescue jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Mountain Rescue jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Mountain Rescue jobs in Virginia? For Mountain Rescue jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Mountain Rescue jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Mountain Rescue jobs in Virginia are:
Mountain Rescue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mountain Rescue job openings in Virginia as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 94% Physical, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,271 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Ski/Bike Patroller (Seasonal)

Massanutten

On-site

$15.50 - $19.75/hr

Part-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Massanutten Resort
Job Summary
The Ski/Bike Patroller provides on-mountain first aid and transportation, manages incidents, and promotes safety through hazard mitigation and skier/rider education. They also perform essential tasks such as chairlift evacuation, search-and-rescue, and opening/closing the ski area or bike trails.
Required
Outdoor Emergency Care certification
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification
ICS-100 certification
Must be at least 18
Good bedside manner and customer service skills
Strong attention to detail
Strong mountain bike and ski or snowboard skills
National Ski Patrol member
Preferred
EMS experience
Rope rescue experience
Typical Schedule
Days:
Varies, including weekends and holidays
Hours:
Varies, including evenings
Core Responsibilities
  • Provide guests and employees with first aid and transportation off of the slopes and trails
  • Open and close slopes and trails
  • Monitor slopes and trails for changing conditions and address conditions as needed
  • Enforce reckless skier/biker policy
  • Document incidents involving injured or ill guests and employees and alert supervisor when additional documentation may be necessary
  • Evacuate chairlifts as needed
  • Other duties as assigned by management

For more information, contact Mary Turner at 540-417-2235.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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