Dates of employment: Early May - late August 2025, with potential to extend into mid October.

About the position: This is a combined GBCA and US Forest Service 4-5 member trail crew, run by the North Fork Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater NF based out of Pierce, ID. All work is completed in north-central Idaho.  This is a physically demanding job that requires care and precision to successfully repair and maintain trails and trail structures that can support ongoing use by the public. Crews work ten-hour days, and work eight days on, six days off, Wednesday through Wednesday, with rare exception. All travel time, hike time, mobilization and demobilization is paid. 

Work will consist of: 

• Work under the direction of the Trail Crew Lead on regular maintenance of Forest Service system trails, with occasional project work or new trail construction. 
• Help maintain cache of trail tools and various equipment.
• Hike to and from project sites over rugged backcountry terrain, carrying tools and equipment. 
• Work in as low-impact a way as is possible. Revegetate impacted areas and worksites. 
• Assist with backcountry camp chores; cooking, cleaning, proper food storage, etc. 
• Hitches may consist of: clearing a backlog of brush and wind felled trees from the trail, realigning trail tread, installing or reconstructing rock and log water bars, digging ditches, replacing rotten puncheon bridges or building bog crossings using culverts and rock retaining walls. 

Crew members will have the potential to receive USFS chainsaw certification, first aid, UTV operating certification, and cold water rescue certifications. Work is a mix of backcountry (stock supported) and front country (car and ATV supported) 8 day hitches. 

About GBCA: 

The Great Burn Conservation Alliance (GBCA) works to foster the connection between people and place to further conservation and stewardship in the Great Burn ecosystem. This work is completed in a landscape encompassing 1.8 million acres of national forest land that surrounds and includes the Great Burn proposed wilderness in the northern Rocky Mountains. This huge swath of wildlands consists of 42 inventoried roadless areas between Lolo and Lookout passes in the northern Bitterroot Range along the Montana/Idaho stateline. For more information on the organization, visit GreatBurn.org.

Every year, GBCA hires seasonal crews to complete a variety of stewardship duties, including backcountry noxious weed treatment, volunteer stewardship trips, high alpine lakes site restoration and backcountry patrols. The work completed by GBCA field crew members has been vital in maintaining a good relationship with our Forest Service partners as well as the public who recreate in our mission area. As a Great Burn Conservation Alliance crew member, you will complete meaningful work that is essential to helping protect this spectacular landscape. 

Requirements:

• Must be a minimum of 18 years old by start date. 
• Ability and desire to live and work outdoors for extended periods of time in varying weather conditions with little or no cell service. 
• Good health, strength, and endurance for outdoor physical labor. 
• Willingness to learn and review by participating in the training necessary to do proper trail work, and to always perform activities and use tools both properly and safely.
• Maintain a positive attitude and work as a productive team member.
• Good oral and written communication skills, ability to keep accurate records and reports.
• Basic computer proficiency: email communication, Microsoft Word, digital image downloading and sharing.

Physical Requirements: 

Crews must be in good physical condition and be able to hike extended distances in rough terrain. Experience with extended wilderness travel, backpacking, and Leave No Trace is very helpful.

• Ability to hike up to 10 miles a day for several days at a time, in terrain that can be steep, rocky, or uneven, often carrying a 60 pound backpack and tools. 
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds repeatedly and use hand tools. 
• Willingness to work long, hard hours in all weather conditions

Transportation: A reliable, personal vehicle is recommended to arrive safely at trailheads. GBCA will reimburse mileage from Missoula at the current federal mileage rate. 

Gear: Personal backpacking gear is required for this position: a good sleeping bag, backpack, rain gear, tent, and 8" leather boots. Stoves, water filters, PPE and other group gear may be provided by GBCA. 

Compensation:  DOE. Starting wages $17/hr plus overtime. Schedule is bi-weekly of 8 days on/6 days off. $35 per diem when in the field, and a $200 gear reimbursement upon successful completion of the season.

Housing: Options are available as needed at USFS bunk housing. Needs will be discussed during interviews.