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Seasonal Backcountry Ranger Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Salt Lake City

Watershed Ranger

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$23.63 - $31.10/hr

Develops teams using seasonal employees and organizes and monitors volunteer groups to maintain ... backcountry travel on foot carrying equipment. * Proven effectiveness in dealing with the general ...

State of Colorado

CO · On-site

$20/hr

A majority of this work will be performed in the backcountry along trails that range in elevation ... Schedule, plan and present Junior Ranger programs Schedule, plan and present school and group ...

State of Colorado

CO · On-site

$20/hr

A majority of this work will be performed in the backcountry along trails that range in elevation ... Schedule, plan and present Junior Ranger programs Schedule, plan and present school and group ...

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Seasonal Backcountry Ranger information

See salary details

$12

$20

$39

How much do seasonal backcountry ranger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for seasonal backcountry ranger in the United States is $20.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $21.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Seasonal Backcountry Ranger, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Seasonal Backcountry Ranger, you need strong outdoor skills, knowledge of wilderness safety, and usually a background in environmental science, natural resources, or a related field. Familiarity with GPS devices, radio communication systems, and wilderness first aid certification are typically required. Excellent interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for engaging with visitors and responding to emergencies. These abilities ensure the safety of both the public and natural resources while promoting responsible recreation in remote environments.

What are some typical challenges a Seasonal Backcountry Ranger faces during peak season?

Seasonal Backcountry Rangers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, remote work locations, and the need to respond to emergencies with limited resources. Navigating challenging terrain while carrying equipment, managing visitor interactions, and enforcing park regulations in isolated areas are also common aspects of the job. Effective communication and self-sufficiency are crucial, as rangers may spend extended periods working alone or with a small team, requiring strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.

What are Seasonal Backcountry Rangers?

Seasonal Backcountry Rangers are park employees who work during specific seasons—often spring through fall—to protect and manage remote wilderness areas within parks or forests. Their duties typically include patrolling trails, assisting visitors, monitoring wildlife, performing search and rescue operations, and maintaining natural resources. They often work in rugged, isolated environments and may camp overnight in the backcountry. Seasonal rangers play a vital role in visitor safety and conservation during high-use times of the year. This position requires strong outdoor skills, physical fitness, and knowledge of natural resource management.

What is the difference between Seasonal Backcountry Ranger vs Seasonal Park Ranger?

AspectSeasonal Backcountry RangerSeasonal Park Ranger
CredentialsBasic park certifications, CPR/First AidSimilar certifications, often more public interaction
Work EnvironmentRemote, wilderness areas, backcountryPark grounds, visitor centers, accessible areas
Employer & IndustryNational parks, wilderness preservesState and national parks, recreation areas

Seasonal Backcountry Rangers primarily work in remote, wilderness areas, focusing on conservation, trail maintenance, and visitor safety in backcountry settings. Seasonal Park Rangers often work in more accessible park areas, engaging in visitor education, law enforcement, and maintenance. Both roles require similar certifications but differ mainly in work environment and daily duties.

More about Seasonal Backcountry Ranger jobs
What cities are hiring for Seasonal Backcountry Ranger jobs? Cities with the most Seasonal Backcountry Ranger job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Backcountry Ranger jobs? The most popular types of Backcountry Ranger jobs are:
What states have the most Seasonal Backcountry Ranger jobs? States with the most job openings for Seasonal Backcountry Ranger jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Seasonal Backcountry Ranger jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Seasonal Backcountry Ranger jobs are:
Seasonal Backcountry Ranger jobs near you
Infographic showing various Seasonal Backcountry Ranger job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $42,977 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Watershed Ranger

City of Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

$23.63 - $31.10/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Position Title:
Watershed Ranger
Job Description:
Under direct supervision of the Watershed Supervisor, incumbent maintains, protects and preserves the Salt Lake City Watershed and related lands and City facilities in and above the foothills. Directly responsible for preserving and stewarding water quality before it enters the water treatment plants, the Watershed Ranger performs patrol, land management, maintenance, education, code enforcement, HAZMAT response and other duties as needed. Interacts with and educates the public, watershed residents and visitors, agencies, ski resorts, and other watershed stakeholders concerning watershed protection and preservation. Enforces, or assists in the enforcement of, watershed ordinances, rules and regulations. This is a uniformed position.
Position Salary Range:
  • $23.63 - $31.10

This position is eligible for full city benefits, including:
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
  • Paid vacation and personal leave
  • Six to Twelve weeks of paid parental leave from day 1 of employment
  • Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)
  • A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
  • Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually
  • Discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services

IMPORTANT: Early application submittal is encouraged. This position will remain open until filled and may close at any time without notice.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Patrol - Maintains year-round watershed patrols in recreation, residential and construction zones, as well as backcountry areas, by whatever means available: foot, motor vehicles, mountain bikes, skis, snowshoes, boats, etc. Responsible for the enforcement of Watershed regulations. Must be able to use, and direct and supervise persons in, the appropriate methods to correct problems, repair damages, or mitigate hazards. Locates and corrects actual and potential hazards. Informs and educates users and user groups on the importance of watershed protection. Works directly with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to ensure enforcement, prosecution or forceful intervention when needed.
  • Land Management - Under direction of the Watershed Supervisor, leads and/or participates in land management projects. This includes, but is not limited to, noxious weed mitigation and mapping, fire fuel reduction programs, trail building and maintenance, campground and recreation area management and associated tasks. Must have working knowledge of use of tools such as chainsaws, Pulaski, axes, etc.
  • Education - Performs and leads completion of tasks related to the City's Watershed educational programs, as directed by the Watershed Supervisor. Responsible for educational outreach on watershed policies. Delivers classroom and field-based watershed education programs. Helps develop and coordinate educational materials including displays, signage and brochures with other agencies.
  • Maintenance - Performs regular watershed stewardship activities. Cleans and maintains watershed toilet facilities to City standards on a regular basis. Maintains watershed lands and recreation facilities. Performs semi-skilled maintenance work such as painting, carpentry, system maintenance, building repairs, roofing, and electrical maintenance, plowing, etc., using appropriate hand tools and machinery. May work with skilled maintenance workers as an assistant or apprentice level trainee.
  • Code Enforcement - Monitors residential, commercial and ski resort construction within the watershed. Works closely with building permitting departments and other agencies to ensure construction compliance with watershed ordinance and regulations, including meeting minimum setback requirements and erosion control measures, and any other appropriate mitigation. Collects samples and evaluates data when appropriate.
  • Fire Response - Responsible for the notification of authorities of any fire threatening the watershed. May on occasion be asked to put out small fires when they are identified during the course of routine monitoring and are easily contained with minimal equipment and risk Assists in the Utility response to wildfires impacting the watershed. Coordinates with local fire department and forest service on major firefighting efforts and restoration projects. Advises campers, canyon residents and others on fire prevention measures.
  • HAZMAT- Responds to hazardous spills, initiates containment, and notifies appropriate agencies for cleanup. Maintains first response materials on vehicles. Notifies downstream users, including the water treatment plant, of the hazard to assist in decisions on facility operations. Files appropriate reports, and maintain records of the incident, along with any information on the cause, for appropriate cost reimbursement.
  • Develops teams using seasonal employees and organizes and monitors volunteer groups to maintain watershed lands and facilities. May assist in the hiring, scheduling and management of seasonal employees and contributes to their performance appraisal.
  • Collects and reports data from monitoring stations, including but not limited to weather, stream flow, snow fall, and trail usage. Inspects dams and reservoirs. Maintains records of observations and readings.
  • Attends meetings with the other entities involved in the watershed. This includes governmental agencies as well as public and community groups. Makes presentations, answers questions and addresses concerns.
  • Performs other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Two (2) years post-high school study in one or more of the following fields: forestry, land or watershed management, field hydrology, water treatment or related fields; plus, two (2) years' work experience in the same aforementioned fields. Experience and education may be substituted one for the other on a year-to-year basis. Military and law enforcement experience may also be considered on a yearly basis.
  • Knowledge of basic watershed ordinances and regulations protecting the watershed.
  • Familiarity with HAZMAT regulations (40-hour HAZMAT training preferable); ability to respond to emergencies.
  • Strong background in environmental education and related principles.
  • Ability to make minor repairs and perform routine maintenance with little supervision; operate chain saws, hand and power tools, and sanitary equipment in a safe manner, and occasionally perform physically demanding work, including backcountry travel on foot carrying equipment.
  • Proven effectiveness in dealing with the general public and other governmental agencies. Ability to relate well with fellow employees, other department representatives and the general public.
  • Ability to use and operate a personal computer with applicable software, including Microsoft Office products.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must pass and maintain Utah Department of Agriculture herbicide applicators license, Utah Registered Stormwater Inspector certification. New hires are required to complete and pass these tests in addition to a functional capacity test prior to the end of their initial employment probationary period.
  • Ability to patrol the watershed and engage the public without assistance.
  • Possession of a valid state driver's license or Utah driving privilege card.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Preferred BS in forestry, geography, environmental studies, ecology, land or watershed management, field hydrology, water treatment or related field.
  • Ability to speak and write in Spanish.
  • Ability to ski and/or snowboard at blue level or above.
  • Winter snow safety/avalanche training.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
  • Heavy physical activity. Required to push, pull or lift medium to heavy weights, and to stand, sit or walk uncomfortably for extended periods.
  • Must be able to carry medium to heavy weight and load for extended periods of time in uneven terrain on foot.
  • Exposure to extreme heat, cold, dampness, noise, odors, dust, grease, elevation extremes and health and occupational hazards as may be expected when working in mountainous areas throughout the year. Some exposure to fire and hazardous materials. Considerable trail and driving hazards, especially in the winter. Requires physical ability to access watershed areas by whatever means available including by foot, motor vehicles, skis, snowshoes, boats, etc.
  • Exposure to stress because of human behavior.
  • Subject to standby and call back situations and must respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.
  • Position requires regular evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified.
All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
POSITION TYPE
Full-Time
POSITION SALARY RANGE
$23.63 - $31.10
DEPARTMENT
Public Utilities
Full Time/Part Time:
Full time
Scheduled Hours:
40

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