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Mountain Rescue Jobs in Thornton, CO (NOW HIRING)

Driver 3 Class A

Aurora, CO · On-site

$27.50/hr

... Rescue routes, and TEFAP/Everyday Eats routes. Driver will occasionally be asked to do Mobile ... Prior mountain driving experience preferred * Prior experience working in a warehouse environment ...

... Rescue routes, and TEFAP/Everyday Eats routes. Driver will occasionally be asked to do Mobile ... Prior mountain driving experience preferred * Prior experience working in a warehouse environment ...

Showing results 21-23

Mountain Rescue information

See Thornton, CO salary details

$10

$40

$71

How much do mountain rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for mountain rescue in Thornton, CO is $40.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.36 and $65.38 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.

What job categories do people searching Mountain Rescue jobs in Thornton, CO look for?

The top searched job categories for Mountain Rescue jobs in Thornton, CO are:

What cities near Thornton, CO are hiring for Mountain Rescue jobs?

Cities near Thornton, CO with the most Mountain Rescue job openings:

Infographic showing various Mountain Rescue job openings in Thornton, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 36% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 27% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $83,818 per year, or $40.3 per hour.

$27.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Drive company vehicles including food trucks, vans, and tractor-trailer combinations to deliver food products, pickups, and mobile pantry routes.

  • Pick up donated food products from food drives and donors, and deliver them to agencies and distribution sites, including unloading and loading according to specifications.

  • Manage Mobile Pantry operations, including pallet breakdown, waste disposal, and recycling, while maintaining compliance with food handling and safety standards.


Job description

Great Quality of Life compared to the big box companies!

Come have a long career with us!

  • Daytime Work Hours
  • Be Home at night
  • Be Home on Weekends unless you choose some of the very little Saturday work we have
  • We have Liftgates!!
    • No more going up and down a ramp with a 2-wheeler!
  • All drivers have electric pallet jacks!


Your Role in Our Mission

The Driver 3 will be involved with many driving assignments such as Partner Agency orders, Donor pickups, Food Drive pickups, Grocery Rescue routes, and TEFAP/Everyday Eats routes. Driver will occasionally be asked to do Mobile Pantry routes as well as OTR routes in Colorado and Wyoming. This role regularly interacts with volunteers, partner agencies, donors, and the general public.



What You’ll Do

  • Drives all company vehicles ranging from food trucks to vans to CDL-required tandem axle sleeper tractor-53’ Trailer combinations
  • Occasionally drive OTR routes to deliver food products to the respective locations in Colorado and Wyoming
  • Pick up donated food products from food drives and donors and deliver them to agencies throughout the Denver Metro area and rural locations
  • Unload incoming products as well as load the truck with outbound food products according to delivery specifications and within Food Bank of the Rockies policies
  • Drive local and rural routes to deliver food products to the respective Agency Partners or Mobile Pantry sites; may deliver to 1-2 distribution sites per day
  • Unload and distribute food at the respective Agency Partners or Mobile Pantry site, working closely with the Site Coordinator and volunteers to set up distribution (unloading product, breaking down cases) and clean up (reloading product, breaking down recycling and trash) at each site
  • MP Routes: Manage Mobile Pantry operations and food distribution, including pallet breakdown, waste disposal, and recycling, following Food Bank of the Rockies and Feeding America standards
  • Responsible for maintaining Electronic Logging Devices on Fleetmatics, vehicle inspection, and other maintenance schedules according to DOT regulations
  • Perform light vehicle maintenance tasks (fluid levels, tire maintenance, and sanitation)
  • Maintain an organized, clean, and sanitized cab, and cargo area, and upkeep food handling equipment
  • Maintain food industry standards and certification for proper product handling, storage, and distribution in accordance with Food Bank of the Rockies and Feeding America standards
  • Assist in communicating with, and maintains congenial relationships with, donors, agencies, and volunteers.
  • Maintains receipts, invoices, and other required paperwork for each site
  • Cover routes for other drivers when needed
  • On occasion, assists with warehouse duties; record-keeping, waste, inventory counts, sanitation, equipment, building and grounds maintenance as assigned

 


How the Work Gets Done

The Driver 3 Class A demonstrates the following core competencies in daily practice:

  • Instills Trust: Prioritizes safe driving and DOT compliance at all times, demonstrates respect and professionalism through all interactions with team members and externally with partners, donors, and neighbors.
  • Collaborates: Driver is able to communicate and coordinate with the transportation, warehouse, and receiving teams when it comes to deliveries and donations being brought back to the facility. Supports and assist other drivers when needed.
  • Customer-Centric Focus: Demonstrates cultural awareness and compassion when working with partners, donors, and neighbors.
  • Ensures Accountability: Driver manages their time by arriving on time, maintaining consistent attendance, and completing the necessary pre/post trips needed on daily equipment utilized. Communicates to Transportation management if they lack the appropriate supplies/equipment needed to get the job done.

 

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications:

  • High School diploma or equivalent required
  • Prior experience as a Commercial Driver
  • Must possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License and an excellent driving record
  • Must be at least 21 years old
  • Prior experience working with low-income communities preferred
  • Prior mountain driving experience preferred
  • Prior experience working in a warehouse environment strongly preferred
  • Forklift experience and certification a plus
  • Bilingual (Spanish) a plus

 

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

  • Daily travel and use of Tractor, Trailer, and Box Truck 
  • Outdoor and warehouse environments frequently 
  • Frequently lifting up to 50 pounds
  • Uses heavy equipment daily including forklift, stand-up/sit-down lift truck, step-up pallet jack, and automatic pallet jack. 
  • Occasionally use office equipment such as computer, mouse, keyboard, and printer 


Expected Hours of Work:

This role is considered full-time, non-exempt, working approximately 40 hours per week and is eligible for overtime for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The expected work hours will be 6am-2:30pm. Work schedules vary each week and consists of weekdays, occasional evenings, and occasional Saturdays.



Benefits:

At Food Bank of the Rockies, we provide a fulfilling workplace along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Generous Paid Time Off: Flexible paid time off, including 10 paid holidays, sick leave, and opportunities for paid volunteer time.
  • Robust Retirement Plan: A 401(k)-retirement plan with a 4.5% employer match, plus additional matching based on tenure for a total potential match of up to 8.5%, to support your long-term financial security.
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Competitive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans to support your meet your and your family’s needs.
  • Medical and Parental Leave: Leave time is offered through the Colorado-funded FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance) Program.
  • Bilingual Incentive: A monthly incentive for certified bilingual staff, recognizing and rewarding your valuable language skills. 

 

To Apply:

If you are looking for a mission-focused organization where innovation and teamwork are encouraged and new ideas are valued, then this is an ideal position for you. 


Apply online through www.foodbankrockies.org/careers. Applications will be accepted until August 212026.




Thinking about applying?

True passion and excitement for making an impact are just as important as work experience. 

We encourage you to apply even if you feel you don't check every box in this posting.


Food Bank of the Rockies is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), M/F/D/V/SO. 

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities in order to participate in the application or interview process. If you require any accommodation, please contact us at hr@foodbankrockies.org or 303-371-9250.