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Wilderness Packer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aramark

$25/hr

Prior professional packing experience with horses and/or mules (required) * Strong horsemanship and ... Training in First Aid protocols such as Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Advanced First Aid ...

Swan Mountain Outfitters

Trail Maintenance

MT · On-site

$160/day

Current CPR and Wilderness First Aid certifications preferred. Our season runs from May - September ... May assist packers in trail projects involving mules * May assist maintenance and corral staff in ...

Aramark

$22/hr

Qualifications • Training in First Aid protocols such as Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness Advanced First Aid, Wilderness EMT or EMT/Paramedic preferred • Multi-lingual skills a plus • ...

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How much do wilderness packer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness packer in the United States is $16.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Wilderness Packer job?

A Wilderness Packer is responsible for transporting supplies, equipment, and sometimes people into remote backcountry areas using pack animals, typically horses or mules. They assist with setting up camps, maintaining gear, and ensuring safe travel through rugged terrain. This role is essential for supporting trail crews, researchers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts in areas inaccessible by vehicles. Packers must have strong horsemanship skills, knowledge of backcountry navigation, and the ability to care for animals in remote conditions.

What are some common challenges faced by Wilderness Packers on the job?

Wilderness Packers often contend with unpredictable weather, difficult terrain, and caring for pack animals in remote or isolated locations. Navigating trail hazards, ensuring the safety of both people and animals, and efficiently transporting gear all require quick thinking and robust preparation. Additionally, packers must remain adaptable and self-sufficient, as help can be far from reach in wilderness areas. These challenges are part of what makes the role rewarding for those who love the outdoors and hands-on problem solving.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Wilderness Packer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Wilderness Packer, you need expertise in handling pack animals, navigation skills, physical stamina, and experience working in rugged outdoor environments, usually supported by basic first aid and animal care certifications. Effective use of saddles, tack, maps, GPS devices, and wilderness survival tools is often required. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork are key soft skills for maintaining safety and cohesion in remote settings. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure safe, efficient transportation of supplies and clients through challenging backcountry terrains.

More about Wilderness Packer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Wilderness Packer jobs? The most popular types of Wilderness Packer jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Wilderness Packer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Wilderness Packer jobs are:
Wilderness Packer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Packer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 47% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,506 per year, or $16.1 per hour.

Field Operations & Logistics Manager

Seeds Wilderness Therapy

Montrose, CO • On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Role Type: Full-Time | Reports to: Executive Director
This is a Seasonal Role.
Direct Reports:
  • Drivers
  • Weekend Backup Support
  • Church Volunteers
  • Potentially College Intern or assistants
  • Medical personnel (medication administration planning, training, and packing)

Role Summary
The Operations & Logistics Director is the architect of the Seeds Wilderness Way support system. This role bridges the gap between high-level strategic planning and the "nitty-gritty" of backcountry readiness. You are responsible for ensuring that every student, staff member, and vehicle is equipped, fueled, and safely coordinated to meet the mission of transformation in the wilderness.
1. Daily Dispatch & Fleet Coordination
  • Strategic Synchronization: Perform daily log reviews (post-4:30 PM or pre-8:00 AM) to assess field needs and remotely assign roles, routes, and vehicles by 8:00 AM.
  • Fleet & Resource Management: Supervise a team of up to 8 drivers. Ensure 4x4 vehicles and ATVs are maintained, inspected, and fueled for water drops and backcountry transport.
  • Technical Standards: Maintain mastery of UTM coordinates and backcountry communication tools (InReach/Satellite/Radio)

2. Supply Chain & Warehouse Integrity
  • Inventory Oversight: Direct the drivers or interns in the management of food systems, gear organization, and bulk buying.
    • Including responsibility for the actual ordering of gear and supplies to optimize operations.
    • Includes breaking down bulk food to daily/individual portions
    • Conduct full physical inventories twice per year
  • Mission-Ready Packing: Lead the prep and "pack out" for all trips, ensuring medications, gear, and nutritional menus (developed with the nutritionist) are sorted and ready for Monday or Thursday restock days.
    • This included restocking and organization of medical kits or med- blister packs.
  • Infrastructure Maintenance: Oversee the gear repair and laundry system(clean laundry into the field, dirty laundry from field to front country), ensuring all equipment is cleaned, functional, and stored with high organization.

3. Personnel Discipleship & Community Engagement
  • Mentorship & Leadership: Conduct twice-weekly 1-on-1 discipleship sessions with Interns and attend weekly L-10 meetings to solve operational hurdles.
  • Volunteer Vision: Provide "vision and tasking" for the volunteer management, integrating their contributions (baking, prayer, encouraging notes) into the weekly logistics flow.
  • Spiritual Formation: Occasionally lead staff devotions while fostering a biblical approach to conflict and team health. Disciple staff with spiritual maturity, love, and leadership.

4. Risk Management & Emergency Readiness
  • Incident Command: Serve as the primary emergency contact for Weekend Backup staff, and lead responder for field emergencies. Maintain readiness to implement ICS (Incident Command System) protocols for "Red Light" situations.
  • Safety Compliance: Ensure all operations meet state requirements regarding, equipment, and safety (and nutrition).
  • Environmental Oversight: Monitor extreme weather conditions and provide contingency logistics/backup options for field teams to mitigate environmental threats.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Logistics Readiness:
    • intakes/graduations- All restocks, meds, and gear packed and staged one week out.
    • Weekly restock days- packed and ready by 9am on Monday and Thursdays.
  • Efficiency Metrics: Fuel-per-week/Fuel-per-student tracking and maintaining operations within the allocated annual budget.
  • System Fluidity: Zero delays in daily logistics, field equipment emergencies, or water drops, or radio comms.

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