ABOUT ABWF

The Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation (ABWF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting stewardship of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and fostering appreciation of all wild lands. We work closely with the Custer Gallatin National Forest to support on-the-ground stewardship, wilderness education, and community engagement focused on the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Our highly anticipated seasonal single- and multi- day trail stewardship projects provided critical habitat and trail maintenance to the AB Wilderness while offering a meaningful way for volunteers to connect with and care for a place they love.  

The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness of Montana and Wyoming is a 943,648-acre wilderness area nestled against the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park. One of the largest wilderness areas in the U.S. outside Alaska, it is characterized by rugged peaks over 12,000 feet in elevation (including the highest in Montana), alpine lakes, broad expanses of tundra-covered plateaus, and a diverse array of flora and fauna, including grizzly bears.

POSITION SUMMARY

ABWF’s two seasonal crew leaders are the backbone of the organization’s summer stewardship program. Crew leaders are responsible for leading groups of up to 10 adults and/or youth on up to 15 field projects throughout the season. Projects range from single-day front country volunteer events to week-long backcountry stewardship adventures. The type of work conducted on these trips ranges from pulling weeds and brushing trails to clearing fallen logs and conducting tread work to collecting visitor use data and engaging wilderness users. The settings of these trips are also extremely variable, and the crew leaders are expected to operate with comfort, expertise, and positivity in all manner of backcountry conditions and terrain. During these trips, the crew leader guides and supervises volunteer crews in performing trail work, provides training and instruction in technical skills to volunteers of varied experience levels, and acts as the group’s motivator, safety officer, camp cook, and ABWF ambassador. In most cases, the crew leader is the sole leader of the group and activity, though there may be occasional coordination with another crew leader, USFS staff, or other ABWF staff. The crew leader also participates in pre-trip logistics and post-trip paperwork and reporting.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership & Supervision: Lead and supervise volunteer crews during backcountry wilderness stewardship projects. Provide technical oversight and logistical leadership in both camp and field settings. Maintain flexibility and positivity throughout a variety of conditions in both the front country and back country. 
• Project Coordination: Communicate effectively with ABWF staff, USFS staff and partner groups to plan and coordinate logistics, including tool and gear requirements, menu planning, food shopping, meal preparation and clean up, transportation, and other project-related logistics.
• Safety & Risk Management: Ensure all activities adhere to ABWF and USFS safety and risk management protocols. Lead by example in creating and maintaining a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all participants. Adhere to and ensure all best practices for food storage and personal and group safety in grizzly bear country. 
• Training & Mentorship: Provide wilderness skills training and wilderness education to volunteers. Potentially assist in training ABWF Interns and other support personnel.
• Data Management: Track and maintain accurate quantitative and qualitative data and photographs on the project work progress and volunteer/partner activities and complete hitch reports after each project. 
• Tools & Equipment Maintenance: Oversee the maintenance of project tools and volunteer project equipment. Facilitate repairs as needed.
• Communication & Collaboration: Foster positive relationships with volunteers, project partners, and other stakeholders. Ask questions of others when needed. Provide regular updates to ABWF staff and volunteers before, during and after each project.
• Other Duties as Requested: This is not an exhaustive list; other duties may be assigned to support and strengthen the mission of ABWF.

SCHEDULE AND LOGISTICS

This role entails a combination of field work and office work. The field season starts on June 1 and runs through the end of September. Crew leaders spend approximately 50% of the season in the field. When not in the field, the crew leader’s time is spent planning logistics, coordinating with partners, communicating with registered volunteers, completing reports, and participating in organizational outreach and communications as needed. The field work schedule is set at the beginning of the season, with each crew leader assigned roughly half of the total planned trips. The role includes significant backcountry travel and camping, requiring overnight stays in the field. Work is required on weekends and occasionally during holidays. Meals or a per diem are provided when working with crews in the field, but employees are expected to cover their own food expenses while working in town or on personal time. Use of personal backpacking gear is required; a good sleeping bag, backpack, warm jacket, rain gear, and sturdy hiking boots are the most important. ABWF may have limited gear or retail discounts to help supplement any personal items you may not have. Housing for the summer is NOT provided.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At least two years of experience in trail work and/or wilderness projects, especially with a federal or state agency
• A strong wilderness ethic and a demonstrated commitment to conservation and stewardship
• Experience coordinating or leading volunteers 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to work with and provide leadership to diverse volunteers and partners
• The ability to work in varied weather conditions, such as cold, rain, heat, smoke, and snow, for extended periods of time
• Demonstrated ability to live and work in occupied grizzly bear habitat, and the ability to uphold the highest standards of bear safety practices 
• A willingness to ask questions and for help when needed
• A valid Driver License and the ability to operate company vehicles
• Experience using a Garmin In-Reach device or similar satellite communicator
• The physical capability to perform strenuous labor, including:
• Carrying a 60-plus pound backpack plus hand tools
• Use of hand tools, including but not limited to crosscut, pulaski, shovel, rock bar, hand saws, and clippers
• Hiking 10-plus miles per day on difficult terrain (high elevation, steep trails, or no trails)
• Lifting 35-plus pounds repeatedly
• Working 10-plus hour days, up to eight days in a row

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior wilderness leadership experience in trail work or with volunteer crews 
• Current Crosscut Saw B-Bucker or higher
• Current Wilderness First Aid (or higher) and CPR certifications
• Familiarity with the Wilderness Act and Leave No Trace principles
• Familiarity with the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
• Previous experience with a stewardship organization or USFS