Experience Washington! Lead volunteer trail crews & build new skills!

About Washington Trails Association 

Washington Trails Association (WTA) is the nation’s largest state-based hiking and trail maintenance nonprofit. For 60 years, we've been mobilizing public lands advocates, trail stewards and on-the-ground hiking experts in pursuit of our vision of Trails for Everyone, Forever. Each year, with the support of over 23,000 donating members, WTA staff and more than 3,500 volunteers perform over 160,000 hours of trail maintenance across the state. Through our online Hiking Guide and Trailblazer app, we help hundreds of thousands of people find trails, from everyday adventures to backcountry explorations. No AI trail summaries or trip reports here! All trip reports are made and reviewed by real humans. Our vision depends on fostering an organization and outdoor community where all people are welcome, represented and included.  

About this opportunity

WTA seeks a Trail Crew Leader to advance our mission to mobilize hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. The Trail Crew Leader will ideally start ASAP and contribute to the overall success of WTA by leading single and multiday volunteer trail work parties, initially in the South Puget Sound area and throughout the state thereafter. The Trail Crew Leader will work in both front country and backcountry locations and will focus on a broad range of trail projects including annual maintenance, new trail construction, logout and construction of trail structures. On backcountry hitches the Trail Crew Leader will be predominantly self-supported and required to carry their tools, food and camp supplies into remote settings.  

The ideal candidate will love working with people outdoors and share our commitment to trail stewardship and  volunteerism. They will have prior experience with trail work, leading crews of volunteers outdoors, hold active certifications and share our belief that everyone should feel safe and included in the outdoor community. The Trail Crew Leader will contribute to the overall success of WTA by ensuring that all work is completed to specification by our land management partners and by cultivating a sense of safety and belonging at worksites for volunteers of diverse identities, experiences and backgrounds. 

The Trail Crew Leader is a temporary, full-time, non-exempt position based in North Bend, WA. This position reports to the Trail Programs Co-Director. 

Primary responsibilities 

Leading volunteer work parties (70%)  

• Ensure physical and emotional safety for a volunteer crew of diverse ages and backgrounds. 

• Support, motivate and train volunteers to complete a variety of trail projects, ensuring all technical work is to standards.

• Uphold WTA’s risk management values and policies on the crew. 

• Effectively manage emergency situations following WTA’s emergency response protocols.

• Report all incidents affecting the safety, health and well-being of the trail crew to the supervisor, complete an incident report, and assist in any follow-up investigations and debrief as deemed necessary based on the event(s). 

• Positively represent WTA mission, programs and membership in all interactions with volunteers, trail users and others. 

Preparing for work parties (15%)  

• Arrive at each work party with tools, refreshments and work plan. 

• Coordinate work party projects and plans with WTA staff and land manager. 

• May communicate directly with volunteers via email and phone prior to work parties.

• May assist other WTA staff and volunteers in identifying volunteer trail projects. 

Documenting work parties (10%)

• Using a WTA cell phone, provide digital photo documentation of project progress and volunteer engagement. 

• Maintain and submit Safety Briefing Checklist and annual waivers for volunteers within 1 week of work party completion. 

• Prepare and submit a summary report and thank you email to volunteers for each work party within one week of work party completion. 

Outreach & other (5%)

• May assist efforts to engage hikers, volunteers and community groups in other WTA programming  (e.g. representing WTA at events in the region). 

• Potential to engage youth through school programs and trail maintenance events. 

• May perform other tasks in front- and backcountry settings to ensure program success. 

Experience, skills, knowledge and values  

Competitive candidates will highlight the following in their application, or express willingness to learn:

• Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission, values and vision of trails for everyone, forever.

• Demonstrated skills in trail maintenance and building. 

• Demonstrated experience leading a team of volunteers in an outdoor setting. 

• Ability to accept and integrate feedback graciously and give effective feedback to team members. 

• Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment and as a member of a collaborative team.

• Ability to effectively manage emergency situations. 

• Cultural competency experience and demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds. 

• Ability to work in an outdoor environment, including hiking and backpacking up to 6 miles daily across a variety of terrain and follow Leave No Trace principles. 

• Ability to work weekends and 10-hour days for the duration of employment. 

• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Google Suite (Gmail, Calendar and Drive).

• Reliable internet (library and other public access is fine) for work party planning and documentation.

• WFA and CPR certification valid through the duration of employment; WFR certification preferred.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a truck on highways and dirt roads. 

• Crosscut (bucking) and chainsaw certifications preferred. 

Location and schedule 

The Trail Crew Leader is a temporary position beginning ASAP and continuing through October 15, 2026. Work  will initially take place in the South Puget Sound area (leading single-day & multi-day volunteer work parties),  and will transition to supporting events throughout the state. The expected work schedule is 40 hours per week over 4 days and will require working weekends. Work party-related communication as well as documentation of activities may occur outside of work party days. Some training opportunities available upon hire. There is a weeklong, unpaid summer break from August 3-9, 2026.  

This role is based at WTA’s North Bend Tool Cache in North Bend, WA. Employees are responsible for their own commute to and from the base of operations.  

Compensation 

Compensation is $24.50 - $25.50/hour, depending on experience. A supplementary per diem of up to $50/day  is provided for multi-day backcountry trips. WTA provides a cell phone, hard hat, work gloves and safety  glasses. WTA does not provide boots, clothing or other personal outdoor and backpacking gear required for  fieldwork, but does provide a $300 reimbursement to offset wear and tear on personal gear.  

A WTA vehicle will be provided for transportation to work parties from the base of operations. Should a  personal vehicle be used to fulfill program needs, mileage reimbursement is provided for travel between the  work site and the base of operations (WTA’s North Bend Tool Cache), up to 250 miles roundtrip. Position is  eligible for paid holidays, sick leave, health stipend and an employer match retirement plan. For more  information on benefits, please visit our website at www.wta.org/benefits.