JOB TITLE: Recreation Crew Lead

JOB CLASS:  Seasonal, Recreation Crew Lead 

WAGE RATE:  $23 - $26 per hour, DOE

About the Watershed Research and Training Center

The Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) sustains healthy lands and healthy communities. What started in the early 1990s as a local project to re-train displaced loggers and mill workers in Trinity County, California is now a vibrant nonprofit organization working locally, statewide, and nationally on a host of landscape conservation and community development issues.

In addition to putting dozens of our community members back to work in the woods each year, we lead several forest and watershed conservation programs, coordinate state biomass and fire management partnerships, and play an influential role in state and federal policy-making and program direction. We provide technical assistance and capacity building services to organizations with kindred missions and work through a set of national partnerships and networks to achieve our vision and goals.  

Job Summary

WRTC has been maintaining Trinity County trails since  the mid-1990’s. Since 2020, our capacity has increased, and with it, the pace and scale of recreational trail work, including a number of large trail construction projects. We partner closely with land management agencies, local and regional groups, and community volunteers to perform priority trail projects throughout rural Trinity County.

The Recreation Crew Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the WRTC Trail Crew, consisting of three to six Recreation Technicians. The size of the crew may vary depending on volunteer or partner organization involvement, as well as individual project needs. Duties include collaboration with agencies/organizations and WRTC staff, crew management, on-the-ground physical trail work, and ensuring overall quality project work. The Crew Lead is responsible for a suite of tasks including: making decisions in the field, overseeing the safety of the Crew, and tracking data and completed tasks for reporting. Field work includes, but is not limited to, tread maintenance and construction, logouts, brushing, concrete, dry stack masonry, stream protections, hazard identification and mitigation, and future project identification. Depending on funding and skillsets, the position could also be responsible for management of the WRTC Youth Conservation Crews. 

Job Duties and Core Responsibilities

• Communicate regularly and effectively with Recreation Program Manager (direct supervisor)
• Support the Recreation Program Manager with grant writing, reporting and budget management
• Interact positively and professionally with crew members, landowners, local community members, partner organization representatives, and agency employees
• Manage personnel (crews) including the professional trail crew and potentially the WRTC youth crews. Ensure that the crew provides quality work and represents WRTC positively
• Work with supervisors and the WRTC Fleet and Safety officer to promote a safe and efficient work environment for self, crew and volunteers
• Ability to utilize mapping and surveying tools like GPS, clinometers and flagging for navigation, data collection, ground truthing new trail construction, reroutes, and tracking project progress
• Ability to utilize trail tools ranging from  hand tools (e.g. McLeod, Pulaski, rogue hoe, loppers, hand saw), to  power  tools (e.g. chainsaw, weed eater, drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw) to  heavy equipment

Minimum Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills
• 2 years experience with a professional trail crew
• Valid Class C Driver’s License and ability to operate 4WD vehicles in rugged terrain
• Experienced with chainsaws (please describe in cover letter or resume)
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs for extended periods
• Ability to hike up to 15 miles per day while carrying all needed equipment in steep, rugged terrain and in variable weather conditions
• Ability to camp during the work week, with limited cell reception
• Ability to maintain safety of self and crew during all activities associated with field operations
• Willingness to work on an occasional weekend to support community volunteer trail maintenance days

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

• 6 months of experience leading a professional trail maintenance crew
• Valid S-212 Chainsaw Certification
• Valid Faller 2 Certification, compliant with USFS and BLM standards
• Proficient with GIS programs
• Experienced in heavy equipment operation  including Sutter 300 Trail Dozer or CAT 301.7 Mini Excavator
• Experienced with towing trailers (under 10,000 lbs)
• Experienced in dry stack masonry construction and maintenance

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation for this position will be based on experience, within the range stated above. This is a seasonal, full-time (40 hour a week) position.

Seasonal full-time employees are eligible for:

• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accumulation, based on hours worked each pay period
• Health Benefits
• Dental and Vision coverage is provided at no cost to employees
• Medical is available with $100/month employer contribution towards employee premium 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• 5% Employer contribution after 4 months of employment