Seasonal Trail Crew Assistant Leader

Company: Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust

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Job Description

Join our team! As a member of the Greenway Trust’s Field Program, you will have the opportunity to work as part of a team in an energetic, productive, and collaborative environment. Project work will focus on front country and backcountry trail maintenance and improvement projects that will include brushing and logout, tread repair, trail structure construction with rock and/or timber. The work is physically intensive, but also can be highly rewarding for team members. The Assistant Trail Crew Leader is responsible for supporting the Crew Leader in the oversight of 3-4 Crew Members and will lead projects when the crew is split into smaller teams, or the Crew Leader is not in the field. 

This is a full-time, 8-month seasonal position (February 21 to October 27, 2023) with the possibility for short-term extension. The Trail Crew periodically supports Greenway Trust volunteer and education events and works regularly with Greenway Trust staff and occasionally with partner agency and nonprofit staff, sponsored AmeriCorps members, and volunteers.    

This position is contingent upon funding from outside sources secured by the Greenway Trust. 

EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES 

The position expectations listed below are representative of the demeanor, knowledge, and ability of the applicant necessary to successfully carry out the essential duties and responsibilities of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made as possible. 

Interpersonal Communication & Leadership Support 

  • Professionally represent the Greenway Trust while interacting with the public. 
  • Engage with, listen to, and learn from people with diverse perspectives and experiences. 
  • Model a high standard of courtesy, selflessness, tolerance, hard work, adaptability, and flexibility. 
  • Demonstrate strong communication skills and ability to motivate a team. 
  • Serve as point of contact with Recreation Project Manager when Crew Leader is unavailable. 

Safety and Risk Management  

  • Monitor and advocate for the crew’s physical safety and emotional well-being.  
  • Contribute to a culture of safety on the crew during all Greenway Trust activities and projects. 
  • Report any incidents or injuries in a timely manner. 

Project Implementation 

  • Lead crew members in proper trail maintenance and construction practices. 
  • Ability to properly use and demonstrate use of tools, and conduct routine maintenance of tools including hand tools, chainsaws and cross-cut saws, power wheelbarrows 
  • Work long days doing intensive manual labor including building common trail structures, moving project materials, and operating equipment.  
  • Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day with equipment and tools.  
  • Ability to carry heavy loads (50-70 lbs.) 
  • Work and live outside in inclement weather for extended periods of time. 

Administrative 

  • Support professional documentation of project metrics, vehicle mileage logs, project reports, safety documentation, and incident reports as needed. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

A successful applicant brings a combination of knowledge and experiences similar to the following list. Reasonable accommodations are possible. 

  • Experience driving four-wheel drive vehicles on rough, unpaved roads, and trailer experience. 
  • Experience with trail maintenance and construction in the Pacific Northwest, or similar. 
  • Working knowledge of proper and safe use and maintenance of trail tools and equipment.  
  • Experience using and maintaining small engine tools. 
  • Chainsaw/crosscut bucking training or experience.  
  • Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification.  
  • Experience working in backcountry settings. 
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
  • Relevant education and/or experience in a natural resource field or outdoor work environment. 

REPORTS TO   

The Assistant Trail Crew Leader reports to the Recreation Projects Manager.  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

Compensation is $22.00 per hour.  

Benefits for full-time seasonal employees include a $250 gear stipend, paid sick time (accruing at one hour per 40 hours worked, worker’s compensation coverage, optional participation in an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) ($200 monthly contributed by the Greenway Trust), participation in HealthiestYou program, and optional participation in a 403(b)-retirement plan. This position is not eligible for paid time off including holiday pay. There may be a possibility of unpaid days off due to extenuating circumstances. 

GEAR LOANED BY THE GREENWAY TRUST 

  • Long sleeve and short sleeve shirts (you get to keep) 
  • Rain gear (overalls and jacket) 
  • Tools, gloves & hard hat 
  • Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

Group gear required for overnight camping will be provided. The Greenway Trust will provide food and/or per diem for overnight projects and some personal camping gear, including a tent, water filter and personal stove as needed. 

REQUIRED GEAR  

  • Sturdy, above the ankle (6” or higher) work or hiking boots 
  • Personal backpacking equipment (backpack, sleeping bag, pad) 
  • Durable work pants 

To help seasonal crew members purchase or replace personal gear needed to be successful in the field, the Greenway Trust provides a $250 gear stipend. This allows individual seasonal staff members to prioritize what they want to purchase based on the gear they already have. 

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE 

The Trail Crew is based from the Greenway Trust Field Office at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, WA and will work on surrounding public lands. The Trail Crew works a 10-hour workday (7am to 5:30pm), a Tuesday-Friday schedule, with 4- and 8-day overnight work weeks in the summer.  

COVID REQUIREMENTS 

 Vaccination requirements are in place for Greenway Trust staff. 

ABOUT THE MOUNTAINS TO SOUND GREENWAY TRUST 

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust works to steward a landscape that stretches 100 miles from the shores of Puget Sound, across the Cascade Mountains, to Central Washington. The Greenway Trust also coordinates the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area (NHA), which honors the historical and cultural significance of this place and helps to preserve and celebrate its living heritage. The Seasonal Trail Crew contributes to the goals of the NHA by improving recreational access to the Greenway’s network of 1000+ miles of wildland trails. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION  

We believe that when we are connected to nature, our lives are better. We are healthier, happier, and our communities are stronger. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Greenway Trust because we want to better reflect the diverse communities that make up the Greenway NHA, because we believe that equity and inclusion are vital to our mission, and because we want to do our part to create a more just society. We are committed to creating lasting structural changes internally in our workplace and externally in the communities we serve. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER 

The Greenway Trust is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, ancestry, genetic information, use of a service animal, honorably discharged veteran, military status, political ideology, personal appearance, family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Each person is evaluated on personal aptitude and merit. 

Availability:  Priority will be given to applications received by Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Position open until filled.

How to Apply

TO APPLY   Please send in a cover letter, resume, any materials you wish to share that are related to your trail maintenance and construction experiences to:  [email protected]    Indicate which position you are applying to in the email subject line. In the cover letter, please address your experience and passion related to trails, physically demanding work, and how you have demonstrated the ability to work as part of a team with people from different backgrounds with perspectives.  Finalists will be asked to provide three references.  
Posted on: December 9, 2022
Job Starting Date:
2/21/2023
Application Closing Date:
1/31/2023
Job Salary Range:
22.00
Years of Experience: Not Specified
Preferred/Required Degree Level: Not Specified
Job Activity(ies): Backpacking, Hiking
Population(s) Served: General, Programs & Organizations