2026 Stewardship Trail Crew (Seasonal - Summer): 

• Trail Crew Technician 
• Trail Crew Lead 

About the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC):

Founded in 1912, the CMC has built a legacy of responsible outdoor leadership and ethics, paired with a healthy spirit of adventure. Conservation and stewardship are woven into our history and identity. Our work in conservation dates to the founding of Rocky Mountain National Park and has led to much more. With greater significance than ever before, we are determined to pass down pristine wilderness to the next generation.  

Position Summary:

CMC’s Seasonal Stewardship Trail Crew provides an opportunity to explore and give back to some of Colorado’s wildest backcountry and front country landscapes. CMC is hiring for two seasonal roles in 2026, Trail Crew Lead, and Trail Crew Technician. All crew members receive opportunities to work closely with public land management agencies, non-profits, and volunteers on a wide variety of field-based trail maintenance projects. Projects include erosion mitigation, user accessibility improvements, trail rerouting, and more.  

Additionally, the Trail Crew Lead facilitates the completion and quality of day-to-day tasks and projects, crew morale, and safety. They will work closely with CMC Conservation staff who manage crew operations to coordinate logistics. 

Applicants should have a strong desire to actively engage in a conservation-focused program that will train, challenge and support growth and development in their pursuit of meaningful careers in the conservation field. Crew members will engage in an extensive training period that focuses on enhancing technical project skills, risk management, field-based knowledge, and conservation leadership strategies. The season is scheduled to start at the end of May/beginning of June, and end in early October (weather permitting). 

Position Duties:

Trail Crew Technician

• Operate on a small three to six-person collaborative team in the backcountry 
• Efficiently complete wilderness trail maintenance projects in a variety of environmental conditions, including adverse weather and terrain 
• Positively interact with all user groups of public lands throughout Colorado 
• Effectively communicate with CMC staff, partners, and volunteers in a timely manner 
• Assist Trail Crew Lead in completing reporting and administrative tasks assigned by CMC staff and agency personnel 
• Support and participate in CMC volunteer group activities and tasks 
• Utilize and engage in CMC risk management strategies 
• Transport crew and gear safely and responsibly in CMC vehicles 
• Position duties are subject to change based on program and project priorities 
• 2026 project work will entail wilderness backcountry trail projects 

Trail Crew Lead (in addition to Technician duties)

• Act as an on the ground leader to oversee efficient completion of day-to-day tasks 
• Keep crew focused on tasks and foster a shared view for projects 
• Facilitate communication between crew and CMC staff 
• Coordinate logistics with CMC staff and land management agency personnel 
• Complete reporting and administrative tasks with help from crew 
• Ensure safety protocols are always followed 
• Ensure all equipment and vehicles are always treated with care 

Qualifications: 

Trail Crew Technician

• Physically fit and able to work back-to-back 10-hour days in potentially adverse conditions in the backcountry 
• Ability and desire to work and live in backcountry locations for up to 8 days at a time 
• Demonstrated experience with conservation, trail maintenance / restoration, or other outdoor fields 
• Paid or unpaid volunteer experience 
• Ability to work both independently and on a team with a collaborative culture 
• Capacity to professionally communicate in complex situations 
• Ability to adapt and adjust to changing work conditions and/or priorities 
• Good driving record and must hold a valid driver’s license 
• Ability to hike up to 10 miles a day with a heavy pack and tools (50+ lbs) 
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing 60 pounds or more 
• 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 
• Experience camping and backpacking in both front country & backcountry environments, as well as general outdoor skills 
• Ability to work full season (late May/early June to early October) 

Trail Crew Lead (in addition to Technician qualifications)

• Proven professional experience in a leadership role 
• Strong communication skills and willingness/ability to address all types of situations and potential conflicts 
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification(s) 
• Professional experience in trail maintenance, trail construction, and trail design 

Not required but strongly recommended for all Crew Members 

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification(s) 
• Cross cut and/or chainsaw sawyer certification(s) 
• Previous professional or volunteer experience in trail maintenance, trail construction, and trail design 

All qualifications are ideal. If you are motivated about this type of work but lack these specific qualifications, we encourage you to still apply! 

Location & Travel:

For the 2026 season, the Summer Seasonal Stewardship Trail Crew will be field based with most projects in Gunnison National Forest near Paonia and Lake City in western Colorado. These projects will likely be staged out of Paonia, Lake City, and/or Gunnison, CO. An additional project will be conducted in the Front Range with staging out of Brainard Lake Recreation Area in Ward, CO.  

Compensation and Schedule:

• Trail Crew Technician:  $18.00-$22.00/hour (Depending on qualifications/experience) 
• Trail Crew Lead: $21.00-$25.00/hour (Depending on qualifications/experience) 
• Backcountry hitches of 4 to 8 days (10-hour workdays) 
• Seasonal: Up to 18 weeks (Late May through early October) 
• Length of season is subject to change due to environmental/weather factors 

To Apply:

Email conservation@cmc.org with a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. If you are specifically interested in either role (Trail Crew Technician or Trail Crew Lead), please indicate which one in your cover letter and initial email. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with preference given to earlier applicants. Questions regarding this job listing should be directed to conservation@cmc.org. 

Non-Discrimination:

Colorado Mountain Club firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity of all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected category, pursuant to applicable federal state or local law.