Position Duration: ASAP to October 29 2025

Status: Temporary/Seasonal

Compensation: $17.00/hr paid every two weeks

Hitch Schedule: 8 days working, 6 days off (8 10-hour days) with potential at the end of the season to require 10 days working, 4 days off (10 8-hour days). 

Season Schedule:

Hitch 1: June 4 - June 11

Hitch 2: June 18 - June 25

Hitch 3: July 2 - July 9

Hitch 4: July 16 - July 23

Hitch 5: July 30 - August 6

*Week of August 18 SAWS midseason gathering

Hitch 6: August 27 - September 3

Hitch 7: September 10 - September 17

Hitch 8: September 24 - October 1

Hitch 9: October 8 - October 15

Hitch 10: October 22 - October 29

Location: Crew is based out of Roanoke, Virginia but will be camping and working within various National Forests across the southeast region.

Supervisor: Crew Leader

Crew Structure: One Crew Leader, one Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members

Hiring Timeline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the position filled ASAP.

Description

Four Field Crew Members will work under supervision of a Field Crew Leader 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties are done under supervision of the Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader

• Complete field crew member training
• Work with crew leaders to effectively complete critical backcountry stewardship projects while maintaining high standards for project completion
• Assist in developing and maintaining effective, positive relationships with US Forest Service personnel, partner organization staff, and partner organization volunteers
• Create media (blogs, photography, video, etc.) to share for reporting and documentation
• Backpack, camp, and work in physically demanding, remote environments for at least 8 (and sometimes 10) days at a time in adverse weather
• Help to maintain a crew cache of tools and equipment
• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
• Follow SAWS organizational policies in the field
• Contribute to an inclusive, safe, positive, and fun working environment
• Use a variety of hand tools and understand complex rigging systems

Training and Work

Field Crew Members will complete threes weeks of orientation/training followed by a 22 week season.

Once the season starts, all field crews may address projects including, but not limited to:

• Trail relocations
• Erosion control (installation of water bars, grade dips, log or stone steps, etc.)
• Reestablishing trail surface
• Brushing trail corridors and removing downed trees
• Rockwork
• Drain maintenance

Benefits

• Food stipend is provided ($10/day) during hitches
• May qualify for Public Land Service Corp (PLC) Hiring Authority certificate
• Opportunities for professional network growth
• Sick time accrual
• Opportunities for pro-rated gear deals
• Potential for Crosscut saw certification (level depends on proficiency)
• Potential for First Aid and CPR certification
• Holiday Pay when applicable

Qualifications

In addition to enthusiasm for the SAWS mission, applicants should have the following:

• Ability to travel on foot over rough terrain for up to 10 miles per day while carrying 60lbs. or more
• Ability and desire to create a safe and inclusive work culture
• Knowledge about group dynamics and conflict resolution preferred
• Ability to live and work in a remote and primitive setting with a diverse group of people without an ability to communicate with folks outside the crew
• Desire to be a member of a hard-working team and transformative non-profit organization
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds
• Must be able to speak, understand, read, and write English
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Ability to pass a background check
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Trail work and/or backpacking experience preferred

About Us

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) sets standards of excellence that inspire, connect, and equip people to steward wild landscapes. We provide stewardship to protected public lands in the Southern Appalachian region, including Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Founded in 2010, SAWS partners with federal agencies, including the Forest Service, to supplement existing stewardship efforts and provide additional support for training, skill-building, and community engagement. SAWS works to support safe access to public lands, preserve natural resources, and develop the next generation of conservation stewards. SAWS is headquartered in Asheville, NC with an office in Roanoke, VA.

SAWS is an equal opportunity employer and provides a drug-free workplace. SAWS values a safe work environment, free from discrimination of any kind.