Washington Trails Association is seeking a Trail Crew Leader who loves working with people and shares our commitment to trail stewardship and volunteerism. The Trail Crew Leader works outdoors leading volunteers in building and maintaining trails on public lands. The position’s primary responsibility is to lead single and multi-day work parties in the South Puget Sound area during April and mid-May and Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) thereafter. This is a temporary, full-time, field-based position based in Puyallup and then Mount Rainier National Park. This position reports to the South Puget Sound Field Coordinator.

Primary Responsibilities

Leading volunteer work parties (70%)

• Ensure physical and emotional safety for a volunteer crew of diverse ages and backgrounds.
• Support, motivate, and train volunteers to complete a variety of trail projects ensuring all technical work is to standards. Projects may include annual maintenance, tread construction, drainage structures, and constructions of steps, turnpikes, puncheon and retaining walls.
• Effectively manage emergency situations following WTA’s emergency response protocols.
• Positively represent WTA mission, programs and membership in all interactions with volunteers, trail users and others.
• Report all incidents affecting the safety, health, and well-being of your crew to your supervisor, complete an incident report, and assist in any follow up investigations and debrief as deemed necessary based on the event(s).

Preparing for work parties (15%)

• Arrive at each work party with tools, refreshments and work plan.
• Coordinate work party projects and plans with WTA staff and land manager.
• May communicate directly with volunteers via email and phone prior to work parties.
• May assist other WTA staff and volunteers in identifying appropriate volunteer trail projects.

Documenting work parties (10%)

• Ensure morning safety review is delivered to volunteers and documented.
• Maintain and submit Sign-in and Liability Release for volunteers in a timely manner.
• Prepare and submit a summary report and thank you email to volunteers for each work party in a timely manner.
• Report all incidents affecting the safety, health, and well-being of volunteers.
• Using a WTA cell-phone, provide digital photo documentation of project progress and volunteer engagement.

Outreach & other (5%)

• May assist efforts to engage hikers, volunteers and community groups in other WTA programming (e.g. representing WTA at events in the region).
• Perform other tasks in the front and back country to ensure program success.
• Work as a member of the Mount Rainier Trail Crew on assigned days.
• Potential to engage youth through school programs and trail maintenance events.

Experience, Skills, Knowledge, and Values

WTA is committed to supporting professional development, so we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the qualifications listed.

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.
• Demonstrated ability to create a crew community where every member feels included and valued.
• Demonstrated skills in trail maintenance and building.
• Ability to effectively manage emergency situations.
• Ability to accept and integrate feedback graciously and give effective feedback to team members.

• Ability to work in an outdoor environment, including hiking and backpacking up to 6 miles daily in a variety of terrain, and follow minimum impact guidelines.
• WFA and CPR certification minimum requirement valid through the duration of employment; WFR certification preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a truck on highways and dirt roads.

• Ability to work weekends and 10-hour days.

• Reliable internet (library and other public access is fine) for work party planning and documentation.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team in an outdoor setting.

Location and Schedule

The Trail Crew Leader is a temporary position from April 2025 through October 12, 2025. Seasonal onboarding will take place from April 7-12, and the expected work schedule is 30-40 hours per week over 4-5 days. Work will take place in the South Puget Sound area during April and mid-May, followed by the Carbon River area in Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) thereafter. Generally, work parties will occur Thursday-Sunday unless otherwise defined, and requires working most weekends. Work party-related communication as well as documentation of activities may occur outside of work party days. Occasionally, the crew leader will lead volunteers on backcountry trail projects lasting 4-7 days. Training opportunities will be available at the start of the season. Housing will be provided at Mount Rainier from mid-May to early October. There is an unpaid weeklong break from August 4-10.

Compensation

The hourly rate for this position is $24.00-$25.00 per hour depending on experience. A supplementary per diem rate of up to $50/day will be provided for multi-day backcountry trips. WTA provides a cell phone, hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses. WTA does not provide boots, clothing or other personal outdoor and backpacking gear required for fieldwork, but does provide a $200 reimbursement to offset wear and tear on personal gear. 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.

A WTA vehicle will be provided for transportation to work parties from April - June. From June - October a National Park Service vehicle will be provided. Should a personal vehicle be used to fulfill program needs, mileage reimbursement is provided for travel between the work site and the base of operations (Mount Rainier National Park or WTA’s Puyallup Cache), up to 250 miles round trip. 

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.