Trail Crew Leader

Do you enjoy the outdoors, working hard, getting dirty and have a passion for conservation and stewardship? Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) is one of the leading trail stewards in Colorado and headquartered near Garden of the Gardens and Pikes Peak in beautiful Colorado Springs.  RMFI is gearing up for a busy 2024 season and looking for experienced trail professionals to fill multiple trail crew positions.  RMFI offers competitive wages, training opportunities, sick leave, pro-deals and a welcoming and fun workplace. Come earn great money working with a group of passionate and diverse staff in some of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes. Learn more and apply here.

Job Overview

A Trails Crew Leader (TCL) provides leadership to 4-8 crew members while executing and overseeing trail work, environmental restoration, education, and volunteer field programs. Primary duties include implementing and managing single and multi-day field projects; instructing crew members, interns, volunteers, and youth conservation corps members in trail and restoration techniques; overseeing tool, equipment, and food logistics; supporting the upkeep of RMFI’s warehouse and vehicles; maintaining project work and photo logs; and other duties as assigned. A TCL ensures completion of 10 hours of project work a day for 4-18 consecutive days while camping in a variety of outdoor conditions including inclement weather. The TCL ensures professional work standards from all members of their crew, the highest degree of safety, and project goals completion. Projects include a variety of trail and restoration projects in riparian, wetland, alpine, montane, foothills, and desert ecosystems focusing on Southern Colorado.

Special Benefits

Sick leave, gear stipend, pro-deals, cellphone stipend

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Three years minimum experience in trail construction.
• Two years minimum supervising or managing staff.
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification.
• Current S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaw certification or equivalent certification.
• High level of physical fitness. Ability to pass the work capacity test (pack test) upon arrival for RMFI training.
• Restoration knowledge including social trail closure, erosion mitigation, post-wildland fire restoration, and invasive species control.
• Experience working with rigging equipment such as griphoists, highlines, and bear hangs.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain equipment used in the performance of assigned tasks including four-wheel drive vehicles, chainsaws, and hand and power tools.
• Strong conservation ethic and passion for public lands stewardship.
• Ability to lead with RMFIs Core Values and mission.
• Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 3
• Must pass a pre-employment background check.
• A valid driver’s license.