Trail Work Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Bogus Basin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit mountain recreation area located 16 miles from Boise. We provide accessible, affordable outdoor recreation, education, and community programming year-round. Every dollar earned is reinvested back into the mountain, our people, and the community we serve.

The Brush Cutter Supervisor leads a crew responsible for vegetation management, trail clearing, terrain preparation, infrastructure access, and fire mitigation support across Bogus Basin. This role plans daily work, supervises crew members, operates brush-cutting equipment, and ensures work is completed safely and efficiently.

Ideal candidates have hands-on experience with brush cutting, trail work, forestry, land management, or similar outdoor operations and are comfortable leading small teams in rugged mountain terrain.

The Brush Cutter Supervisor role supports seasonal mountain preparation and maintenance work by organizing daily brush-cutting operations around safety needs, recreation access, fire mitigation priorities, and infrastructure visibility.

This position combines field leadership, tool operation, training, reporting, hazard identification, equipment inventory, and cross-department communication.

The role is labor-intensive and requires outdoor work in changing weather, steep terrain, and active mountain operations areas. Weekend and holiday availability may be required based on operational needs.

This is a seasonal position. 

• Plan, assign, and supervise daily brush-cutting operations based on seasonal goals, safety priorities, and department needs.
• Lead and support crew members clearing vegetation from trails, access routes, roadsides, water bars, drainage systems, signs, and operational infrastructure.
• Operate and maintain brush-cutting tools including weed whackers, brush saws, chainsaws, loppers, hand saws, and related hand tools.
• Train crew members in safe, efficient brush-cutting, vegetation management, and trail-clearing techniques.
• Ensure crew compliance with safety protocols, PPE requirements, environmental awareness, and communication standards.
• Identify and mitigate hazards such as steep terrain, falling debris, wildlife, tool hazards, guest conflicts, and changing weather conditions.
• Track and report daily progress, time logs, fuel use, equipment needs, completed areas, and follow-up work.
• Manage fuel, tool inventory, minor repairs, replacements, and equipment readiness.
• Coordinate with other departments regarding trail access, closures, terrain maintenance, infrastructure needs, and guest-facing impacts.
• Ensure work areas are left clean, clear, and safe for guests, staff, and operations teams.
• Maintain a professional attitude toward guests, coworkers, and other departments.
• Assist with mountain operations support or rescue efforts when needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Passionate about Bogus Basin's mission.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in land management, trail work, forestry, brush cutting, landscaping, fire mitigation, or related outdoor work preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory, crew lead, or field leadership experience preferred.
• Proficient with brush-cutting and vegetation management tools.
• Able to train, lead, motivate, and communicate clearly with a field crew.
• Comfortable working outdoors in variable weather and rugged mountain terrain.
• Able to perform tasks in a timely and accurate manner with or without direct supervision.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 75 pounds.
• Able to occasionally lift up to 35 pounds above shoulder level.
• Frequently required to stand, balance, walk, climb, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record preferred.
• Available to work weekends, holidays, and variable schedules as needed.
• Ability to complete a background check.

Experience leading brush-cutting, forestry, trail maintenance, landscaping, land management, or fire mitigation crews is preferred. Technical knowledge of vegetation management tools, safe chainsaw or brush saw operation, basic equipment maintenance, erosion control, and mountain trail access work is highly valued.

This position is performed primarily outdoors in rugged mountain environments with exposure to heat, cold, rain, snow, smoke, dust, mud, noise, vibration, sharp tools, vegetation, and steep or uneven terrain. Brush Cutter Supervisors are expected to report to work presentable, in uniform when required, and prepared for field leadership and outdoor labor. Required gear includes sturdy hiking or work boots, durable work gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, sun protection, weather-appropriate clothing, and any additional PPE required for assigned tools or tasks.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Duties may change based on operational needs, seasonal conditions, regulatory requirements, and direction from management.

Bogus Basin provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, and training.

Application assistance available upon request.