Trail Crew Technical Advisor, Pacific Crest Trail Association
Revision Date: December 21, 2010
Job Title: Trail Crew Technical Advisor
Supervisor: Regional Representative
F.L.S.A.: Exempt
Summary – Full-time seasonal employees will work with AmeriCorps, Student Conservation Association (SCA) and other volunteer trail crews to teach excellent trail work and oversee projects on the ground in a variety of locations along the PCT. Crews are primarily mixed corps crews and adult volunteer trail crews working 5-10 day projects in the backcountry. Additional work may include leading high school, college, and adult volunteer crews.
Trail Crew Technical Advisor
(At least four positions to be filled)
Lead the nation’s premier volunteer-based trail crew programs on the spectacular Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. This is a great career-building opportunity for rising professionals.
In this position you will have the opportunity to:
• Work with youth and volunteer trail crews to teach excellent trail work
• Oversee projects on the ground along the Pacific Crest Trail
• Spend time outdoors and on the trail
The Trail Crew Technical Advisor is a full-time seasonal staff position working on trail projects in California, Oregon, and Washington for the 2013 work season. Compensation is $640 weekly. Dependable personal transportation is required and mileage is reimbursed.
This position requires excellent trail maintenance, rehabilitation and construction skills, and the ability to work with and teach a variety of people. Some work will require this person to train crews and build crew leaders’ skills while completing hands-on trail maintenance, rehabilitation and construction projects. Other projects require a more typical crew leader role, teaching volunteers, managing logistics and preparing projects for the crew. The entire season is from February to mid-September. Not all positions cover the entire season. Short-term project specific positions may be offered.
Essential job functions and tasks are:
• Oversee trail projects in the backcountry on the PCT
• Train trail crews in trail maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction skills
• Build crew leaders’ skills with hands-on trail projects
• Coordinate project logistics with federal and state agency partners such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management
• Serve as crew leader when needed
o Teach volunteers trail skills
o Manage base camp and trail project logistics
o Prepare projects for the crew
Education and Training:
• High school diploma
• Some college experience preferred
Experience and Qualifications:
Required
• Minimum of two years of relevant professional experience or five years of substantial volunteer experience
• Experience in training, managing, and leading trail crews
• Backcountry living and Leave No Trace skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• The ability and willingness to travel on the PCT in remote, backcountry locations, often requiring several days of backcountry travel and living
• Trail design, construction, and maintenance skills
• Proven experience in working with volunteers
• The ability to perform physical trail work with partners
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team player
• Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Desirable
• Additional professional or volunteer experience in areas relating to the position
• Certification and/or proficiency in technical trail construction skills such as chainsaw and crosscut saw operation, wilderness medical training, winch use and rigging, stock packing, etc.
• Experience working with youth in trail or environmental work, environmental education, backcountry travel or service learning
• Experience in adult training or education
Physical Requirements:
• Must be able to hike on the PCT for up to several days at a time at various elevations
• Must be able to work alongside volunteers using a variety of trail tools
Typical Working Conditions:
The Technical Advisor works under the direct supervision of the Regional Representative in the project area. He or she is expected to communicate regularly on work projects. Regular backcountry travel is to be expected, as is an irregular work schedule that will include weekend work. Dependable personal transportation is required and mileage is reimbursed.
Equipment Used:
• Trail tools, including:
o Hand tools such as Pulaskis, McLeods, pick mattocks, rock bars, sledge hammers, shovels, and crosscut saws
o Advanced tools such as chainsaws, brush saws, pionjars, boulder busters, and griphoist systems
Please e-mail resume, list of three references, letter of interest detailing applicable qualifications, salary history, time frame you are available for employment and area of the PCT you are interested in working to Mike Dawson at hr@pcta.org with the subject Technical Advisor. All attachments must include applicant’s last name on the file name. We will be hiring at least four positions so this posting will remain open until all positions are filled. Additional information on this position and Pacific Crest Trail Association are online at www.pcta.org. For questions, contact Mike at (206) 463-9087.
Pacific Crest Trail Association is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
