About The JMT Wilderness Conservancy 

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy (JMT Wild) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring montane meadows, riparian corridors, and sensitive high-elevation ecosystems along the 214-mile John Muir Trail. Since 2018, JMT Wild has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and conservation contractors to restore areas impacted by heavy recreation, climate-driven weather events, and long-term degradation. 

Our ecological monitoring program collects data that informs meadow restoration, riparian recovery, campsite rehabilitation, and wilderness stewardship. This position offers emerging conservation professionals an immersive experience in high-elevation field science and wilderness land management. 

Position Description 

• Location: Sierra Nevada, CA (multiple locations) 
• Duration: Mid-June to Mid-September 2026 
• Compensation: $4800 per month (seasonal) 
• Schedule: 9 days on / 5 days off 

JMT Wild is seeking four Crew Leads for the 2026 summer field season. Crew Leads will be assigned to lead one of our ecological monitoring teams on either the east or west side of the Sierra Nevada. In this role, you will support your team as they move through key project areas across the region, providing in-field assistance as well as ongoing coordination. 

This position directly supports our ecological monitoring teams. These teams collect ecological data that informs restoration of sensitive, high-use ecosystems across the Sierra Nevada, including meadow restoration, riparian recovery, campsite rehabilitation, and wilderness stewardship. 

The Seasonal Crew Lead is responsible for supervising a four-person field crew and assisting with data collection efforts along the John Muir Trail. This role works closely with Project Managers, Project Coordinators, and federal partners to ensure safe and successful field operations. 

All work occurs in remote wilderness settings with limited access to conventional emergency services. Project Coordinators must be prepared to live and work in rugged backcountry terrain and to foster a team-based, safety-focused field culture. 

Essential Duties 

Crew leads will be assigned to cohorts of three to four technicians, providing field support and supervision in remote backcountry settings. Crew leads will spend up to 9 consecutive days in remote backcountry environments, backpacking for extended periods while collecting detailed ecological monitoring data. Under the guidance of a Project Manager, and in collaboration with JMT Wild’s Field Stewards and federal agency scientists, crew leads will:  

• Lead and support up to four technicians on extended backcountry tours. 
• Collaborate and communicate with Project Managers, Project Coordinators, and project partners. 
• Lead technicians in high-quality data collection, including: 
• Conducting meadow and riparian condition assessments using JMT Wild and agency protocols. 
• Collecting vegetation data, including percentage cover, species composition, and structure. 
• Completing campsite and trail-impact monitoring. 
• Conducting photo-point monitoring and qualitative site assessments. 
• Recording GPS-based spatial data and ensuring accurate metadata documentation. 
• Entering data into ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123. 
• Ensure high-quality data collection for the cohort and hold technicians accountable. 
• Lead the team in conducting QA/QC of collected data.  

Field Operations 

• Ensure personal and team safety in remote backcountry settings. 
• Navigate using a map, a compass, and GPS, including cross-country travel. 
• Backpack up to 10+ miles per day over rugged, steep, or uneven terrain. 
• Maintain backcountry camp operations and food storage in bear-active areas. 
• Follow risk management and communication protocols using Garmin InReach and radios. 
• Practice Leave No Trace principles and contribute to a positive team culture. 
• Provide leadership for their team through emergent situations, including medical emergencies and evacuations.  

Leadership and Team Management 

• Plan daily objectives and delegate tasks effectively. 
• Maintain positive morale and support healthy group dynamics during working hours and at camp. 
• Ensure crew adherence to JMT Wilds field and safety protocols.  

Training & Professional Development  

All Crew Leads receive: 

• Crew Lead training.  
• Reimbursement for Wilderness First Responder training.  
• Ecological monitoring training (meadow assessment, vegetation sampling, campsite impacts). 
• Survey123 and GIS Field Maps training. 
• Backcountry skills and risk management training, including navigation, weather awareness, and emergency procedures. 
• Career development support from JMT Wild field staff and agency partners. 

Qualifications 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Must be 20 years or older by the program start date 
• Coursework or a BA/BS in ecology, environmental science, botany, conservation, natural resource management, or related fields. 
• Previous leadership experience, preferably in outdoor recreation/ education or environmental restoration. 
• Strong interpersonal and management skills. 
• Confidence in independent decision-making.  
• Ability to work safely and independently as part of a backcountry team. 
• Strong wilderness navigation skills and backpacking experience.  
• Prior experience in fieldwork or ecological data collection. 
• Valid driver's license. 
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification completed before the start of the season.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience using Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, or GPS/GIS tools. 
• Experience with vegetation ID in the Sierra Nevada or western U.S. 
• Experience with multi-day backcountry travel in high-elevation terrain. 
• Strong communication skills, positive attitude, and problem-solving ability. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to carry a 40-50lb backpack over uneven terrain for up to 9 days. 
• Comfort working at elevations from 6,500’-12,000’ for multiple days and in variable weather. 
• Ability to hike long days, perform repetitive field measurements, and work in exposed terrain. 
• Ability to strictly comply with backcountry safety protocols. 

Work Environment & Remote Conditions 

This position operates in highly isolated, rugged wilderness areas, often multiple days from modern infrastructure, roads, and conventional emergency services. Crew Leads must be prepared to work for extended periods away from their support networks and must be able to manage their well-being in environments where immediate on-site support may be unavailable. Candidates must understand that medical emergencies or equipment failures in these remote settings can have significant consequences due to the nature of delayed rescue times in the backcountry. 

Time Commitment 

Applicants must be available from mid-June to mid-September. Final dates are tentative and will be finalized in early spring as the seasonal snowpack recedes; Crew Leads should be prepared for schedule adjustments.  

• Training: Mid-June in Truckee, CA 
• Field Season: Early July through mid-September 

It is important to note that the work window in the Sierra Nevada may vary based on seasonal snowpack, weather conditions, and wildfire season 

2026 Cohort Locations 

Each Crew Lead will be assigned to one of four cohorts after training. Cohort placements are made based on thoughtful consideration of individual experience, skills, and group dynamics. Location preferences are considered when possible, but cannot be guaranteed:  

Mt Whitney Cohort 

• Field Location: Inyo National Forest & Sequoia National Park  
• Off-time housing: Mammoth Lakes, CA 

Ansel Adams Cohort 

• Field Location: Inyo National Forest  
• Off-time housing: Mammoth Lakes, CA 

Bear Creek Cohort 

• Field Location: Sierra National Forest 
• Off-time housing: Shaver Lake, CA 

Kings’ Canyon Cohort 

• Field Location: Sierra National Forest & Kings Canyon National Park  
• Off-time housing: the Kings Canyon Cohort is the only group that is immersed in the backcountry for the entirety of the field season, with a home base in Sierra National Forest at Lost Valley Camp. 

Amenities at Lost Valley Camp include: 

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day off.  
• Hot showers with soap and shampoo. 
• A wood-burning stove to heat water.  
• Large tents with futons. 
• Laundry facilities (sink with hot water, detergent, line, and clothespins). 

Compensation & Support 

Compensation: 

• $4800 per month (seasonal) 
• Wilderness First Responder Reimbursement  

Provided by JMT Wild: 

• Field monitoring supplies and research equipment  
• Backcountry dinners on all tours, and a daily lunch stipend 
• Housing and food during training in Truckee 
• Housing between backcountry tours (varies by cohort) 
• Transportation between the provided housing and the trailheads 
• Pro-deals for gear purchases  

Not Provided: 

• Transportation to the training or cohort start location 
• Personal backpacking equipment 
• Off-time meals  
• Personal expenses  

Insurance & Waivers:  

Crew Leads must carry personal medical insurance to cover any health or medical issues, including any injuries or emergencies relating to the program. Evacuation plans will be in place for emergencies. All Crew Leads must also sign a liability waiver.  

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable nonprofit located in Menlo Park and Truckee, CA which does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition or any other basis protected by state or federal laws.