Trail Crew Leader

About the season

This summer, the crew will focus on high priority maintenance needs across municipal, State Parks, and Tongass National Forest trails on the road system, including Mosquito Cove, Kaasda Héen (Indian River), Gavan Hill, and elsewhere. The crew will also deploy on multi-day trips to boat-access trails like Mount Edgecumbe, Lake Eva, Sealion Cove, and Salmon Lake. In addition to the Crew Lead, we will hire three full-time crew members. The paid crew’s work is supported by the efforts of a large volunteer base, with over a hundred volunteers investing over 1,600 volunteer hours in 2025.

position overview

Compensation; $25 – $35/hour, Dependent on experience (DOE)

Schedule; Pre-Season (March, April): Flexible, part-time schedule for scoping, tool preparation, recruitment, training, and volunteer events. Start date negotiable. Summer (May – September): Supervising full crew. Four-day work week, 10-hour days. Some weekends and overnight trips required.  Post-Season (Oct, Nov): Flexible, part-time schedule for tool inventory and maintenance, reporting, and volunteer events. End date negotiable.

Duration; While this position is currently funded for the 2026 season, it is the organization’s intention to transition the Trail Crew Lead into a permanent role pending funding. We are seeking a candidate interested in making a long-term contribution but are open to candidates only available for the summer.

Responsibilities and duties 

• Lead people
  • Motivate and supervise crew members in completing projects safely and efficiently
  • Foster a positive and productive work environment, promoting teamwork and open communication
  • Coordinate and teach novice and skilled volunteers during weekend events
  • Participate in and lead training to share techniques with crew and volunteers
  • Represent the crew and the organization professionally when interacting with the public and partner agencies
• Lead trail work
  • Assess trail conditions, scope projects, and coordinate logistics to implement maintenance
  • Design and build complex trail structures (e.g. stone steps, retaining walls, small bridges)
  • Maintain STW shop and tools, ensuring inventory is prepared for crew and volunteer work
  • Prepare and submit reports, including timesheets, project updates, and safety logs

Desired qualifications 

• You are a go-getter, taking responsibility for your work and lending a hand in the efforts of a small dynamic team
• You have at least three years of experience in trail maintenance and construction, preferably in very wet or rainforest environments
• You are highly competent with a chainsaw (USFS certification can be provided on-the-job)
• You have supervised an outdoor crew for at least one season
• You respect other cultures and have an openness to learning Indigenous traditions
• You are flexible, patient, and willing to foster open and healthy communication
• You are willing to take initiative to resolve conflict, make decisions, and be a leader

Full job description at sitkatrailworks.org/employment