Wilderness Trail Crew Member

Spend your summer exploring Nevada’s vast and little-known Wilderness while having an adventure of a lifetime! Friends of Nevada Wilderness is hiring Wilderness Trail Crew Members for the 2024 Summer. As a trail crew member, you’ll get to explore wild and remote Nevada, live and work outdoors, and contribute to maintaining accessible and sustainable trails in Wilderness. We’re looking for hardworking team players who thrive in rugged outdoor environments! View the complete job description here and learn more about the Friends of Nevada Wilderness trail crew program here.

Location: Reno/Sparks office with extensive travel to worksites throughout the state of Nevada. Work sites will be in a backcountry setting on or near Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Wilderness Areas or other federally managed Wilderness Areas. Due to the remote nature of the work sites, primitive camping will be required. Reliable transportation to the Reno/Sparks office is essential. Transportation to the field worksite is provided. 

Supervisor: Trail Crew Leader

Employee Classification: Seasonal, Full-Time

Hitch Schedule: 8 days on (10-hour days), 6 days off. Season runs from early June to mid August or late September, 2024. Exact schedules will be finalized in the spring.

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining Wilderness trails to US Forest Service Standards
• Trail maintenance duties include brushing, repairing tread, enhancing drainage features, clearing downed trees, and any other restoration work needed
• Maintaining crew tools and equipment in the field and in the warehouse.
• Ensuring the safety of fellow trail crew members, volunteers, and Forest visitors at all times while in the field.
• Displaying a genuine commitment to team goals and fellow team members.
• Assisting in food preparation and camp chores outside of work hours.

Skills and Abilities

• Must be reliable, punctual, show up prepared and willing to follow directions.
• Be able to put team objectives above personal objectives.
• Be willing to adapt quickly and easily to changing situations and conditions in the field.
• Must have the level of physical and mental fitness to perform the hard labor required of trail work in remote locations while carrying all equipment needed for the job including:
  • Passing the Work Capacity Test (pack test)
  • Carrying a 50+ pound backpack occasionally and a 25+ pound backpack routinely, plus hand tools
  • Working 9-10+ hour days, 8 days in a row
  • Hiking 10+ miles per day in difficult terrain (high elevation, steep trails, loose footing, ect)
  • Working and camping in inclement weather (cold, heat, rain, hail, snow, smoke)
  • Lifting 35+ pounds repeatedly
• Be willing to work non-traditional hours, including weekends.
• Basic computer skills are helpful. Must be able to collect and enter simple data or willingness to learn.

Experience and Requirements

• Verifiable history of remote outdoor camping and travel along with demonstrated capacity to thrive in a rugged environment.
• 18 years of age or older, valid driver’s license strongly desired.
• Personal hiking and backpacking equipment required (please inquire about specific equipment needs).

Compensation

• Hourly wage: $17
• Overtime Rate: $25.50
• Benefits: Extra pay for holidays worked, $215 per month Health Stipend, Wilderness First Aid certification, Trail Maintenance training, potential for more training/certifications, access to pro deals