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Wilderness Trail Crew Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Trail Crew

Twin Bridges, CA ยท On-site

$20/hr

Trail Crew Department: Ski Patrol Reports To: Director of Ski Patrol Prepared By: Sierra-at-Tahoe ... EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE EMT, OEC and/or Wilderness First Responder preferred. High school ...

Crew Leader

Colorado Springs, CO ยท On-site

$28 - $36/hr

Duties & Responsibilities โ€ข Lead trail crews in the construction of singletrack trails, mountain ... โ€ข Wilderness First Aid or CPR certification โ€ข Chainsaw certification or experience with ...

Lodge Crew

Greenville, ME ยท On-site

$15.40/hr

Nestled here, in the 100 Mile Wilderness, sit three off the grid Wilderness Lodges owned ... trail lunches. * Clean and sanitize all food service and dining areas on a daily basis.

ALCC Crew Member

Acomita, NM ยท On-site

$1.9K/wk

Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels ... Wilderness First Aid, Chainsaw training, Trails Training, and Herbicide/Pesticide Training. ALCC ...

ALCC Crew Member

Acomita, NM ยท On-site

$1.9K/wk

Projects may include trail construction & maintenance, habitat improvement, hazardous fuels ... Wilderness First Aid, Chainsaw training, Trails Training, and Herbicide/Pesticide Training. ALCC ...

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Wilderness Trail Crew information

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$8

$13

$17

How much do wilderness trail crew jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness trail crew in the United States is $13.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.54 and $15.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wilderness trail crew?

Wilderness Trail Crews are teams of workers responsible for constructing, maintaining, and repairing trails in remote wilderness areas. Their work often involves tasks like clearing fallen trees, building bridges, maintaining trail signage, and controlling erosion, all while following strict environmental guidelines to preserve the natural landscape. Crew members typically work outdoors in challenging weather and terrain, sometimes camping for extended periods. This job plays a vital role in keeping trails accessible and safe for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

What are some typical challenges faced by wilderness trail crew members during a season?

Wilderness Trail Crew members often encounter physically demanding work, including carrying heavy tools, hiking long distances, and working in all types of weather. Navigating remote locations means crews must be prepared for limited access to supplies and medical assistance. Additionally, members must learn to collaborate closely with their team to solve unexpected problems like fallen trees or washed-out trails, all while adhering to Leave No Trace principles. This role is ideal for those who enjoy teamwork, adaptability, and outdoor problem-solving.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wilderness trail crew member, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Wilderness Trail Crew member, you need strong physical fitness, knowledge of trail construction and maintenance techniques, and familiarity with environmental conservation principles. Proficiency with hand tools like pulaskis, crosscut saws, and GPS devices, as well as certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or Leave No Trace, are commonly required. Teamwork, resilience, and effective communication are vital soft skills for working in remote, challenging environments. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable upkeep of wilderness trails, supporting both conservation efforts and public access.

What is the difference between Wilderness Trail Crew vs Conservation Volunteer?

AspectWilderness Trail CrewConservation Volunteer
Required CredentialsNone typically required; physical fitness preferredVaries; some roles may require basic certifications or training
Work EnvironmentRemote outdoor trail maintenance sites, often in national parks or forestsVarious outdoor settings, including parks, reserves, and conservation projects
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, non-profits focused on trail preservationNon-profits, government agencies, community organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles involving trail work and outdoor laborLooking for outdoor conservation work opportunities

The Wilderness Trail Crew primarily focuses on maintaining and building trails in outdoor, often remote, environments, usually through organized programs. Conservation Volunteers engage in broader conservation activities, including habitat restoration and environmental education. Both roles involve outdoor work, but Wilderness Trail Crew positions are more specialized in trail maintenance and construction.

What are popular job titles related to Wilderness Trail Crew jobs?

For Wilderness Trail Crew jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Wilderness Trail Crew job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,317 per year, or $13.6 per hour.

Trail Crew

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Twin Bridges, CA โ€ข On-site

$20/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago


Job description

Job Title: ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  ย ย ย ย ย ย  Trail Crew

Department: ย ย ย  ย ย ย ย ย ย  Ski Patrol

Reports To: ย ย ย ย ย  ย ย ย ย ย ย  Director of Ski Patrol

Prepared By: ย ย ย  ย ย ย ย ย ย  Sierra-at-Tahoe

Prepared Date: ย ย ย ย ย ย  07/2023

FLSA Status:ย ย ย ย  ย ย ย ย ย ย  Non-exempt

Pay Status: ย ย ย ย ย ย  ย ย ย ย ย ย  Hourly

YR Status:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  ย ย ย ย ย ย  Seasonal (Full-time)

Benefit Status: ย ย ย ย ย ย  None

Pay Rate:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  Starting at $20/hr DOE


Embrace the thrill of winter and step outside of the norm and into an outdoor opportunity youโ€™ll cherish forever. Here at Sierra, we pride ourselves on our welcoming and inclusive work atmosphere that keeps the stoke high for our guests and employees alike all season long. If youโ€™re looking for a full career switch or an exciting weekend roll centrally stationed in the beautiful Sierra Nevada, you just found it.

NOTE:ย  This job description shall not be construed as a contract for employment.ย  Must be at least 18 years of age.ย  Sierra-at-Tahoe is an at-will employer. This position requires a post offer background check.


SUMMARY

Sierraโ€™s Ski Patrol is comprised of industry leading professionals who take great pride in the care and safety of its guests and employees on and off the snow. As a Trail Crew member, you will monitor mountain areas for injured, reckless, and lost skiers and snowboarders, and for skiing hazards; provide necessary assistance to skiers and snowboarders; enforce company skiing safety regulations; and perform various trail maintenance tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities are (but not limited to):

  1. Patrol and monitor assigned mountain areas regularly to ensure that all trails are properly marked, to identify injured, lost, out of control and reckless skiers and snowboarders; to identify existing or potential skiing hazards and to monitor and report on weather/skiing conditions, skiing traffic and the like.
  2. To actively monitor the flow of traffic at designated spots around the mountain.ย Politelyย caution reckless customers and employees about the danger of their actions and taking more direct measures with uncooperative skiers/boarders.
  3. To act as a "Goodwill Ambassador" to the skiing public, aiding much in the same way as Ski Patrol personnel.
  4. Stop reckless skiers or snowboarders and enforce company skiing safety regulations, including taking of appropriate disciplinary action.
  5. Perform a variety of trail maintenance tasks, check trails for hazards, missing signs; put up signs and mark hazards; cut brush; pack down and shovel snow; put up fences and close trails when necessary.
  6. Perform trail closing procedures, patrolling all heavily traveled trails and assist in lift evacuation.
  7. Assist in maintaining tools and equipment used in rescue and trail maintenance and in maintaining base first aid facilities.
  8. Contribute to team effort by participating in Job Sharing, assuming responsibility for the cleanliness of the resort and safety of guests and employees; participating in safety meetings; accepting diverse assignments; maintain a positive and friendly attitude and demeanor in all internal and external interactions.
  9. Flexible working hours.


RESPONSIBILITIES TO SAFETY
1. Protect the safety of self, co-workers, and Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort guests at all times.
2. Report any potentially harmful equipment or situations to the immediate supervisor without delay.
3. Report safety-related accidents and incidents at once to immediate supervisor.
4. Follow all company and department safety policies and procedures.
5. Operate equipment in a safe manner that will not lead to injury of yourself or others.
ย 

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be an advanced/expert level skier/snowboarder, capable of skiing all types of terrain under all weather conditions. Ski Patrol does prefer ski experience over snowboard experience due to the physical nature of the job duties and requirements.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

EMT,ย OEC and/or Wilderness First Responder preferred. High school diploma or general education degree (G.E.D.); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Resort certification on any necessary equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDSย 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear.ย  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.ย  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance.ย  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.ย 

WORK ENVIRONMENTย 

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 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to guest/employee interaction, moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.ย  The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places. The noise level in the workplace is usually moderate.