WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP CREW MEMBER 

Job Announcement

BACKGROUND 

Founded in 1988, the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) is a conservation non-profit organization that partners with the San Juan National Forest, Rio Grande National Forest, Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other agencies providing outreach, education and stewardship throughout SW Colorado.

JOB SUMMARY: Do you love wilderness, backpacking, and camping in the mountains? San Juan Mountains Association Wilderness Stewardship Crew Members operate under the supervision of a Crew Leader as a 4 person team in rugged, remote, and beautiful backcountry wilderness areas in Southwest Colorado. This position entails significant backpacking with tools and equipment to many high elevation wilderness areas in a variety of weather conditions. The crew performs wilderness monitoring, makes public contacts, conducts trail maintenance, clears trails of downed trees with crosscut saws. The SJMA Stewardship Director oversees the SJMA Wilderness Stewardship Crew Lead and Crew Members. Day to day activities are directed by the Wilderness Crew Lead. Crew Members should be ready to report to the Crew Lead as they conduct a variety of backcountry wilderness projects.  These projects are prioritized in partnership with San Juan National Forest staff. Crew Members will receive a broad spectrum of relevant training and will end the season with a range of hands-on wilderness stewardship experience. 

LOCATION: SJMA is housed in the San Juan Public Lands Center In Durango, Colorado, and these positions will be primarily field based. Work is performed in remote backcountry locations (i.e. Weminuche Wilderness) for multiple days at a time. 

HOURS and SEASON: This is a seasonal, full time, 40 hour per week position (non- exempt, full-time). SJMA’s field season runs from early June – mid August and will generally follow a four-day on, three-day off work schedule, with crew working 10 hour days. A limited number of eight- day hitches may be required to access remote project locations. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: As a part of the Wilderness Stewardship Crew, Members will work together under the supervision of the Crew Lead as a 4 person team to: 

• Improve trail access in wilderness areas with crosscuts saws, axes 
• Increase public knowledge of Leave No Trace, wilderness etiquette, and safety 
• Complete wilderness characteristic monitoring and data collection 
• Positively contribute to the crew experience and perform effectively as a team member during potentially stressful and difficult conditions 
• Engage in strenuous physical activity in all types of weather, and at high elevations.
• Communicate effectively and retain a positive attitude 
• Abide by all safety protocols and wear required personal protective equipment
• Backcountry overnight travel, including navigation and emergency response planning 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Backpacking and backcountry camping experience is a must. 
• Physical fitness- ability to lift and carry 50-75 lb, and backpack up to 12 miles/day in all types of weather and at high elevations 
• Demonstrated team-based outdoor experience 
• Knowledge of/passion for Wilderness, including principles, concepts and policies 
• Map and compass, backcountry navigation and travel
• Tool use and safety (crosscut saw experience a plus) 
• Experience with public engagement, including public speaking and education
• Data collection experience 
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, reliable transportation 

COMPENSATION: 

• $18.00- 19.00 per hour DOE 
• Travel reimbursement for personal vehicle use to work sites 
• Uniform, rain jacket, gear stipend. 
• Training- Wilderness First Aid, Crosscut Saw Training, Leave No Trace.
• End-of-season bonus awarded to crew members who complete a full field season
• SJMA offers a Simple IRA plan with a 3% match, and 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours worked, per Colorado law. 

TO APPLY: email a cover letter and resume in one pdf file with title “Crew Member Application” to jobs@sjma.org by  April 5, 2025 

Offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a background check and drug test, if applicable to the position.