Trail Operations Specialist

The Trail Operations Specialist has one main area of responsibility: leading a seasonal SAWS trail crew from approximately April through October. Four Field Crew Members will work under supervision of a Field Crew Leader (Trail Operations Specialist) and an Assistant Field Crew Leader while camping and working on remote projects with limited to no cell service. Crews are expected to backpack and live in physically demanding, remote environments for at least 8 (and sometimes 10) days at a time. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly including freezing temperatures, high humidity, persistent rain, and high elevation. The remote nature of our work may mean delayed access to medical care. Crew Members should have good communication skills and judgment, an ability to be trained in the field, professionalism, initiative, willingness to learn, ability to express needs and concerns, emotional maturity and resilience, resourcefulness, and comfort in the outdoors with minimal contact to others while on hitch.

A typical work hitch includes meeting at the SAWS office, driving several hours to a trailhead, backpacking into the project site, staying in the field for 8 days at a time, hiking out, traveling back to the office, cleaning gear, tools, vehicles, and preparing for the next hitch.

The remaining five months of the year will focus on a variety of other trail-related field roles described below. Details of this off-season work are still being finalized and will be discussed more in depth in the interview and hiring process. While not leading the seasonal SAWS crew, this position will take on a variety of other trails-related tasks including but not limited to coordinating volunteer events on local USFS Districts by engaging with the public, local universities and colleges, and local businesses; working with the SAWS Year-Round Crews on their projects, aiding the SAWS Bridge Inspector in inspecting bridges, and assisting with data collection in Wilderness areas.

Status: Full-time, non-exempt

Compensation: $23.00/hr paid every two weeks

Training Schedule: Training is anticipated to cover three weeks starting April 27.

Week 1: 2-3 days the week of April 27 likely located in Asheville

Week 2: May 4-8 at Wilderness Skills Institute, location – Cradle of Forestry

Week 3: Tentative crosscut training, May 12-15, location TBD

Hitch Schedule: 8 days working, 6 days off (Eight 10-hour days) or 4 days working, 3 days off (Four 10 hour days), with potential at the end of the season to require 10 days working, 4 days off (Ten 8-hour days). Exact schedules will be finalized in the spring.

Anticipated Seasonal Schedule:

Hitch 1 – May 19-22 (4 days)

Hitch 2 – May 27-June 3

Hitch 3 – June 10-17

Hitch 4 – June 24-July 1

Hitch 5 – July 8-15

Hitch 6 – July 22-29

Hitch 7 – August 5-12

Hitch 8 – August 17-20 (4 days)

*Week of August 24 SAWS midseason gathering*

Hitch 9 – September 2-9

Hitch 10 – September 16-23

Hitch 11 – Sept 30 – Oct 7

Location: Must be located near Southern Appalachian mountains of NC (with regional travel as needed). Crews are based out of Asheville, NC SAWS office.

Supervisor: Trail Crew Program Manager

Seasonal Crew Structure: 1 Crew Leader, 1 Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members