Season dates: Tuesday, March 11, 2025, through Friday, October 31, 2025

Position & Program Summary 

Recreation Specialists conduct front country trail and trailhead maintenance, and backcountry trail maintenance projects in partnership with public land management agencies throughout the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. Specialists work in teams of two and three to conduct maintenance projects and support the implementation of volunteer events across the Greenway landscape with groups of 10 to 100 volunteers. The Recreation Specialists facilitate both mid-week and Saturday events for the public, corporate teams, community service organizations, affinity groups and school groups. Depending on the season, they lead trail and trailhead maintenance, and environmental restoration (tree planting, and invasive weed removal) events. This position also supports additional Greenway Trust programs.  

Organizational Overview 

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust works to steward a diverse landscape that stretches 100 miles from the shores of Puget Sound across the Cascade Mountains to Central Washington. Designated a National Heritage Area in 2019, the Greenway landscape encompasses two million people, 28 cities, three major river systems, two Interstate highways, and 1.5 million acres (900,000 acres publicly owned). Its working lands support forests and farms on both sides of the mountains. Its waterways provide habitat for salmon. Its protected alpine wilderness includes recovery corridors for wolves, grizzly bears, and other species once hunted to regional extinction. Its expansive access to nature, including 1,600 miles of trails, is the heart of Washington’s $20 billion outdoor recreation economy.   

Vast natural resources, the nation’s 15th largest metropolitan area, and many competing interests create the potential for conflicts. Navigating these conflicts, with the goal of conserving that precarious balance between natural and built environments, is the founding and enduring purpose of the Greenway Trust.    

An early adopter of “collective impact,” the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust was founded on the belief that to grow in harmony with nature instead of consuming it, the full community must be engaged. The goal of conserving this region’s wild and green character brought together the spheres of government, industry, and conservation and community organizations for the first time. Collaboration, compromise, and common good were the rules of engagement. We are proud to say that, three decades later, they still are. 

Essential Job Functions  

Recreation Site Maintenance (65%)  

• Implement trail and trailhead maintenance across diverse recreation project sites using a combination of manual and mechanized trail maintenance and construction techniques, following professional trail standards.  
• Properly use tools and conduct routine maintenance of tools, including hand tools, chainsaws, brush cutters, carpentry tools, power wheelbarrows and other trail equipment.  
• Assist with project documentation, including daily work summaries, event summaries (in Salesforce) mapping and data collection (i.e. Gaia GPS.)  
• Work (4) 10-hour shifts weekly in variable weather, walk on uneven terrain with frequent elevation change, frequently carry up to a 50-pound backpack.  
• Conduct back-country trail maintenance projects that include hiking and camping at project sites.  

Lead Volunteer Events (25%)  

• Lead volunteer events with up to 100 participants from the community, school groups, and corporate groups at sites around the Greenway landscape.  
• Educate participants about the Greenway NHA and the importance of volunteer engagement.  
• Cultivate an inclusive environment by maintaining respectful, supportive, and compassionate relationships with coworkers, volunteers, and partner staff.  
• Teach volunteers to safely and effectively use tools such as shovels, loppers, and metal rakes.  
• Prepare for events by conducting site visits, meeting with staff from partner groups, and completing tool maintenance.  
• Load materials and supplies (i.e., tools, equipment, event signage) into trucks, transport to the event site, and conduct both event set-up and closing/clean-up.  

Program Support (10%)  

• Assist with program documentation (i.e., vehicle mileage logs, incident reports, event reports, etc.) and taking and uploading event photos.  
• Assist with weekly field base and truck fleet cleaning and maintenance tasks.  
• Track key volunteer data in an online database, including number of volunteers, project work completed, etc.  
• Support other field program activities, including restoration and education program events.  
• Support communication projects, which may include contributing to quarterly e-newsletter, writing a blog, or posting on social media.  
• Perform other duties as situations require or as assigned by supervisor.  

Experience 

Education: A degree in natural resources or related field is beneficial but not required. Relevant experience holds greater importance.  

Desired Experience: At least one year of demonstrated experience with a combination of the following skills is desired, but not required:  

• One season of trail crew or related trail maintenance experience.  
• Experience using and maintaining small motor tools (i.e. chainsaws, brush cutters.)  
• Experience working and living in backcountry settings.  
• Ability to drive full-sized trucks on rough-surfaced roads.  
• Experience with event leadership facilitating activities for large groups in outdoor settings.  

Technical Skills:    

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.); Google Drive; and/or Salesforce desired.  
• Knowledge of USFS trail standards as applied to the Pacific Northwest or similar environment.  
• Clear and compelling written and verbal communication.  

 Licenses or Certifications: Current wilderness first aid and CPR training, current chainsaw and crosscut saw certification is preferred; however, the Greenway Trust may provide an opportunity for these certifications/recertifications within the first three months of hire. A current driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and insurable driving record are required. Must pass WA State Patrol criminal records check and a background check in any previous state of residency preferred.  

Personal Characteristics:  

• Enthusiastic about the Greenway Trust mission and exemplar of Greenway Trust values.       
• Enjoys public-facing interactions and is committed to creating inclusive experiences for diverse audiences.  
• Highly organized individual who is focused on achieving goals and making an impact.  
• Self-directed and motivated individual who is an independent thinker and team player oriented towards collaboration and enjoys working with a team.  
• Ready to work outdoors in variable weather and with tools for trail maintenance.  

Pay 
The pay for this position is $23 per hour. 

Benefits 
A complete list of benefits for seasonal employees can be found on the Greenway Trust’s Career page. Select benefits include a $250 gear stipend (at the start of the season), paid time off, optional participation in an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Agreement ($200 monthly contributed by the Greenway Trust), and optional participation in a 403(b)-retirement plan. 

Reports To 
Recreation Projects Manager 

Work Schedule 
This is a full-time, non-exempt position working ten-hour days (7:00am to 5:30pm), Tuesday through Friday, and Wednesday through Saturday when Saturday volunteer events (2-3 per month) are scheduled. 

Work Location 
The crew meets at the Greenway Trust’s Issaquah Field Office (1980 NW Sammamish Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027) and will work on surrounding public and private lands using Greenway Trust vehicles.  

Physical Requirements 
Physical requirements include working in all types of weather; walking up to five or more miles across uneven terrain; transporting tools, camping equipment and event supplies (e.g., shovels, gravel, A-frame signs) and carry loads up to 50 pounds; and visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental hazards. 

Field Gear
The following personal field gear is required:  

• Sturdy, above the ankle, work or hiking boots 
• Rain boots 
• Durable work pants 
• Daypack and backpack, some personal camping gear 

The Greenway Trust provides members with both long and short-sleeved shirts and hats, along with a $250 gear stipend at the start of the season to help employees purchase required personal gear. Additionally, the Greenway Trust loans the following gear annually:  

• Rain gear (overalls and jacket) 
• Tools and gloves 
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE) 

Full position description: https://mtsgreenway.org/jobs/seasonal-recreation-specialist/