Backcountry Trail Crew Leader / Member

SUSTAINABLE TRAIL DESIGN is hiring one position on our Backcountry Trail Crew!

Spend your summer working in the awe-inspiring mountains of Colorado! Sustainable Trail Design is currently seeking applicants for one vacant position on a 5-person crew. This position could either be a Crew Leader or a Crew Member position depending on experience and skills.

Sustainable Trail Design has two separate projects for the 2026 field season. Both awesome projects are located in remote parts of the state within the Gunnison and Uncompahgre National Forests.

These are challenging positions based in Colorado’s rugged backcountry. All positions require a strong trail work skillset; conservation ethic; excellent leadership skills; the ability to work as part of a team and a desire to work in a challenging yet beautiful backcountry setting.

Sustainable Trail Design has two large-scale reroute projects planned for the 2026 season. Both projects will involve lots of hand cut full-bench construction. A 5-person professional trail crew will be responsible for completing all assigned objectives on both projects. Work will be based out of a backcountry basecamp while on hitch. Projects require hiking up to 10+ miles a day at altitude, along with carrying heavy hand tools and gear/equipment regularly and performing strenuous manual labor for 8 consecutive days.

Come and join the Sustainable Trail Design team this summer!

Position available will start ASAP and run thru early or mid October weather permitting.

TRAIL CREW LEADER ($29.00 – $34.00/hr. + $30/day per diem)

Crew Leaders are responsible for the day-to-day management of their crew and project. This position requires someone who can successfully manage a team in very remote locations with minimal supervision and limited communication abilities. The Crew Leader position requires a high level of autonomy and the ability to make important on the ground decisions pertaining to the projects as needed. A solid skillset in trail work is required. A minimum of 4-5 years of trail work experience is required, and at least 3 years of successful leadership experience is preferred.

Work schedule is eight days on, six days off, Tuesday thru Tuesday, working ten-hour days. Some overtime could be possible and will be compensated at time and a half. These projects will require a high level of fitness with extensive hiking each hitch, lots of dirt work involving cutting new tread utilizing full-bench construction techniques, and other trail work tasks as needed.

Crew Leader responsibilities include:

• Cultivating a healthy, productive, safe, and efficient work environment for their crew
• Promoting positivity amongst their crew
• Keeping their crew on task and motivated each day
• Training crew members in the various aspects of trail maintenance/construction as needed and required for the successful completion of the projects
• Setting and maintaining a high standard of trail work for the crew to adhere to
• Executing work priorities as discussed and outlined with their supervisor during field visits
• Identifying project challenges and pro-actively prescribing solutions
• Ensuring weekly project deliverables are met and documented appropriately
• Regularly communicating and updating their supervisor on the status of each project

Previous leadership experience is required for the Crew Lead position. Crew Leader hourly wage range is $29-$34/hour plus $30/day per diem. Pay is based on experience.

TRAIL CREW MEMBER ($24.00 – $29.00/hr. + $30/day per diem)

Crew Members will work under the direction of their Crew Leader to complete all project objectives assigned. As a Crew Member on a professional trail crew a high level of productivity will be expected every day and the work produced will be completed to the highest quality standards possible. Sustainable Trail Design is seeking individuals who work well both independently and as a member of team with minimal supervision.

Work schedule is eight days on, six days off, Tuesday thru Tuesday, working ten-hour days. Some overtime could be possible and will be compensated at time and a half. These projects will require a high level of fitness with extensive hiking each hitch, lots of dirt work involving cutting new tread utilizing full-bench construction techniques, and other trail work tasks as needed.

Those that are strong hikers, have experience/enjoy cutting new bench, and possess the desire to challenge themselves are encouraged to apply. 2+ seasons of trail work experience preferred. However, all applicants will be considered, especially those with a positive attitude, the desire to learn, and the desire to challenge themselves.

Crew Member responsibilities include:

• Helping cultivate a healthy, productive, safe, and efficient work environment for their crew
• Bringing a positive attitude with them to work everyday
• Bringing excellent communication skills to the crew
• Showing up to work daily with the desire to learn and challenge themselves
• The ability to perform strenuous and/or technically challenging tasks both independently or as part of a team
• Moving efficiently through each assigned task to maximize productivity while producing high-quality work in a timely manner
• Successfully performing a wide variety of physically challenging trail work related tasks at high elevations in extreme environments for eight consecutive days at a time (Sustainable Trail Design Crew Members will be expected to work in all weather conditions rain, snow, wind, sun, etc)

Crew Member hourly wage range is $24-$29/hour plus $30/day per diem. Pay is based on experience.