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 Overview 

• Location: Sierra Nevada, CA (multiple locations) 
• Duration: June to Mid-September 2026 
• Compensation: $20,000 (seasonal)  

JMT Wild is seeking two Project Coordinators for the 2026 summer field season. Coordinators will be assigned to a seasonal post on either the east or west side of the Sierra Nevada before the start of the season. In this role, you will support ecological monitoring crews as they move through key project areas throughout the Sierra Nevada. Support will include both in-field assistance and remote coordination.   

This position directly supports our ecological monitoring teams. Our monitoring teams collect ecological data that supports restoration of sensitive, high-use ecosystems across the region, which informs meadow restoration, riparian recovery, campsite rehabilitation, and wilderness stewardship. The Seasonal Project Coordinator is responsible for assisting with data collection efforts along the John Muir Trail and supporting Project Managers in overseeing two four-person field crews. This role works closely with Project Managers, Field Teams, and federal partners to ensure successful and safe 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 

Under the guidance of a Project Manager, Project Coordinators will: 

• Collaborate with Project Managers and the GIS Specialist to maintain QA/QC standards for data collected by monitoring teams. 
• Assist with coordination of field logistics, including gear organization, planning, and modifying tours, deployments, evacuations, and in-field meet-ups with field teams and federal partners. 
• Communicate frequently with field teams and JMT Wild staff to ensure clear expectations and safe field operations. 
• Complete special projects that support the mission and operations of JMT Wild. Examples include literature reviews, creation of specialized maps in collaboration with our GIS Manager, and development of internal resources for monitoring teams. 
• Assist in planning and teaching lessons and activities during the Monitoring Team Orientation. 

Field Operations 

• Conduct regular backcountry field visits to support team morale, assist with data collection, and maintain positive relations with interns, federal partners, and the public. 
• Temporarily fill in for absent technicians when needed. 
• Ensure personal and team safety in remote backcountry settings. 
• Navigate using a map, a compass, and GPS, including cross-country travel. 

Leadership and Management 

• Support the professional, personal, and interpersonal development of Crew Leads and Technicians serving on Monitoring Teams. 
• Conduct regular independent and group check-ins with each team throughout the field season, as advised by the Project Manager. 
• Provide constructive feedback to Crew Leads and Technicians. 
• Help manage interpersonal conflict within monitoring teams and promote a positive, safety-focused field culture. 

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Minimum Required Qualifications 

• 1–2 years of ecological fieldwork or environmental monitoring experience 
• BA/BS in ecology, environmental science, botany, conservation, natural resource management, or a related field 
• Experience with multi-day backcountry travel in high-elevation terrain. 
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supporting teams in outdoor or field-based settings 
• Prior ecological monitoring and/or restoration experience 
• Ability to work professionally with federal partners 
• Familiarity with field monitoring protocols 
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification completed prior to the start of the season 
• Valid driver’s license (clean driving record, and insurance required by start date) 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to build respectful, effective working relationships with diverse personalities 
• Highly organized, self-directed, and able to prioritize tasks independently and within a team 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in dynamic, remote conditions 
• Ability to operate off-road vehicles and pass a federal background check 
• Physically able to perform fieldwork (hiking, carrying equipment, repetitive measurements) across seasons 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience using Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, and GPS/GIS tools. 
• Experience with vegetation ID in the Sierra Nevada or western U.S. 
• 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 

Time Commitment 
The position runs from June 1, 2026, to September 19, 2026 (dates subject to change). Key phases include: 

Orientation & Training:

• Project Coordinator orientation will occur in the two weeks before the Monitoring Team Orientation, with the first week completed remotely. 
• Attend a two-week Monitoring Team Orientation in Truckee.  

Field Deployment: Support the Monitoring Team operations for eight weeks. 

Wrap-Up: Conclude the field season by assisting with end-of-season debriefs, gear organization, and inventory.  

Location and Schedule 

Project Coordinators will be based in either Shaver Lake, CA, or Mammoth Lakes, CA. Schedules will be provided before the start date and will include a mix of standard five-day, office-based work and backcountry assignments lasting up to eight days. Flexibility is essential, as schedules may shift throughout the season based on operational needs. 

Compensation and Support 

• Minimum seasonal compensation of $20,000, paid twice monthly
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification reimbursement upon successful completion. 

 Provided by JMT Wild:

• Monitoring supplies. 
• Backcountry dinners and lunch stipend provided for time spent in the field.  
• Lodging and meals during the training. 
• Housing for the duration of the season. 
• Rental vehicle and gas reimbursement for work-related travel. 
• Pro deals are available for gear purchases. 

Not Provided: 

• Transportation to the orientation. 
• Backpacking gear and front country meals. 

Insurance & Waivers:  

Project Coordinators must have personal medical insurance covering health issues, injuries, or emergencies. Emergency evacuation plans will be in place, and participants must 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.