Washington Trails Association is seeking a Lost Trails Found Assistant Crew Leader who has a passion for technical trail work and working with people while developing their leadership. The Assistant Crew Leader supports the LTF Crew Leader, helps manage backcountry trail projects, provides feedback to members, and oversees adequate performance of projects. The Lost Trails Found (LTF) crews will work in backcountry and front country locations for multiple land managers and ranger districts throughout Washington State. These crews will focus on a broad variety of trail projects with an emphasis on restoring lost backcountry trails, while primarily working a seven day hitch schedule with periodic additional training and admin days. The LTF Crew will be predominantly self supported, and each member is required to carry their tools, food, and camp supplies into remote settings.

If you are dependable, flexible and self-motivated to help lead technical trail work projects, please apply. The ideal candidate will love working outdoors with others in all weather, have prior experience in backcountry trail work and share our belief that everyone should feel safe and included in the outdoors community. The Assistant Crew Leader will help the Crew Leader to ensure that the crew community and worksites are an affirming and supportive space where crew members have their identities recognized and celebrated, cultivate a sense of belonging for crew members of diverse identities, experiences and backgrounds, and ensure all work is completed to specification by our land management partners.

The Assistant Crew Leader is a temporary, field-based, non-exempt position that reports to the Lost Trails Found Coordinator. Please visit our Lost Trails Found Crew FAQ page to learn more about the LTF season.

Primary Responsibilities

Supporting trail work projects

• Collaborate with the LTF Crew Leader to establish a safe, fun and inclusive working environment for a crew of 6 adults of diverse backgrounds.

• Support, work with, and train crew members to complete a variety of trail projects. Projects may include annual maintenance, new trail construction, logout, and construction of trail structures.

• Uphold WTA’s risk management values and policies on their crew, including helping to facilitate daily safety discussions.

• Effectively manage emergency situations following WTA’s emergency response protocols.
• Positively represent WTA mission, programs, and membership in all interactions with partners, trail users, and others.

Supporting crew logistics and crew members

• Collaborate with LTF Crew Leader to arrive at each trip location with tools, equipment and work plan.
• Co-manage the creation of an inclusive group camp environment and work space on multi-day trips.
• Help foster and support a culture of  feedback and provide regular and effective feedback to peers
• Practice Leave No Trace principles and WTA camp risk management procedures.

Supporting professional development opportunities for crew members

• Collaborate with LTF Crew Leader to support crew members with developing leadership skills, trail maintenance proficiency, and backcountry camping experience.
• Participate in peer-to-peer mentorship and skill-sharing with other crew members.

Experience, Skills, Knowledge, and Values

Competitive candidates will highlight the following in their application, or express willingness to learn:

• Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission and values on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Two or more seasons of technical trail work experience including new trail construction, crosscut saw work, and rock and timber structures.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and aptitude.
• Prior experience working in a backcountry setting.
• Crosscut (bucking) and chainsaw certification.
• Current WFA and CPR certification minimum requirement valid through the duration of employment; WFR certification preferred. WTA can provide certification opportunities after hiring.
• Demonstrated ability to create a group/community space where every member (people of diverse races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and economic backgrounds) feels included and valued.
• A deep understanding of the experiences and community issues affecting those marginalized in mainstream outdoor opportunities, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and/or LGBTQ+ communities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet program/organization goals, enthusiastic about embracing new challenges.
• Ability to effectively manage emergency situations.
• Ability to accept and integrate feedback graciously, and give effective feedback to team members.
• Ability to work 10-hour days in remote backcountry environments.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment, including hiking and backpacking up to 15 miles daily in a variety of terrain, carrying loads up to 75 pounds, following minimum impact guidelines.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive work trucks on highways and dirt roads.
• Availability from March - October 2025.

Location and Schedule

The Lost Trails Found Assistant Crew Leader is a temporary position starting in March 2025 and continuing through October 2025. The expected schedule is seven-day field hitches with occasional additional admin and training days. You will have up to seven days off in between. You may work a different schedule during the March and April training periods. The schedule will include predominantly remote backcountry locations with the crew hiking into their designated project site for the duration of the hitch. Work days are 10 hours long throughout the duration of the season. A typical work week is 40 hours. There is a weeklong, unpaid summer break from August 4-10.

This role is based either from North Bend or Central WA (exact location TBD before interviews take place). Base of operation will be determined and agreed upon at time of hire. Employees are responsible for their own commute to and from the crew base at the start and end of each hitch. 

Training

All Crew Leaders and  Assistant Crew Leaders will go through a 3-week training period focusing on technical trail skills (trail design and construction, crosscut saws and rock and timber structures), leadership, project management and risk management.

Additional training opportunities may be presented throughout the season.

Compensation

Compensation for this position is $23.00 per hour. A supplementary per diem of up to $50/day is provided for multi-day backcountry trips. WTA provides a hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses as well as a $200 reimbursement to offset wear and tear on personal gear. A WTA vehicle will be provided for transportation to the work site. If a personal vehicle use is needed, mileage reimbursement will be provided for up to 250 miles total each hitch from crew base to work site (trailhead or camp). Position is eligible for paid holidays, sick leave, health stipend and an employer match retirement plan. For more information on benefits, please visit our website at www.wta.org/benefits 

Equal Opportunity

We believe WTA, and Washington’s hiking community, is made better by people with varied backgrounds, identities, abilities and lived experience. WTA is committed to advancing equity and continually working to become a more inclusive organization. People of color and others with identities that are underrepresented in the outdoor industry (including but not limited to: gender identity, class, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background) are strongly encouraged to apply. To read our complete Equal Opportunity Employer statement, please visit www.wta.org/careers.