Position summary

The incumbent will be a full-time employee of The Pisgah Conservancy (TPC), working in the Pisgah Ranger District (PRD) near Brevard, NC. The incumbent will lead a crew performing trail maintenance, new trail construction, bridge repair and construction, and a variety of technical trail projects for the PRD. Work will focus on repairing trail damage resulting from Hurricane Helene across the PRD and will be planned and performed in collaboration with TPC and U.S. Forest Service employees, as well as other PRD partners. Employee will report daily to the Pisgah Ranger Station and work out of the PRD Work Center.

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive base salary for similar positions in both the nonprofit and government sectors ($49,000 - $52,500 annually depending on candidate experience and qualifications)
• Eligible for compensation increases based on performance at annual employee evaluation process
• Eligible for full-time employee benefits including:
  • Paid time off and sick leave
  • Health, dental, vision, and life Insurance
  • Retirement plan with employer match

Knowledge and skills

The incumbent must:

• Have deep knowledge of, and experience and skill in sustainable trail construction/maintenance and design techniques, including the use of trail tools, trail building equipment, and GPS/GIS equipment
• Have experience leading and training trail crew members and/or volunteers in a variety of trail maintenance and construction tasks while maintaining a safe work environment for fellow workers and forest users
• Have experience in highly technical trail construction including trail bridge construction, rock work, rough carpentry (locust log structures), turnpike and causeway construction, and use of rigging, griphoists, and block and tackle
• Have skill in assessing and identifying trail problems and developing and implementing the best possible trail solutions on the ground
• Have experience in project planning and management
• Have expert experience in the regular maintenance and basic repair of all hand tools, power tools, and gas-powered tools (i.e. chainsaws)
• Have experience operating light trail machinery such as a Canycom track hauler, Bobcat walk-behind trail machine, mini-excavator, etc.
• Have experience in setting up and maintaining a clean, safe, and effective backcountry camp for trail crew operations in remote areas
• Have the ability to maintain a positive work environment and effectively manage potential conflict among crew members. This includes fostering good working relationships with U.S. Forest Service employees, user groups, and volunteers.
• Have knowledge of, and experience and skill in light construction work and facility maintenance
• Have initiative, drive, and energy
• Have excellent communication skills to both verbally explain complex methods and processes and to regularly document and communicate specific accomplishments
• Have ability to work independently and retain flexibility in a dynamic work environment
• Have ability to maintain focus on safety and risk management, both on a personal and group level
• Have a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a pickup truck to be used for hauling trail equipment, trailers of tools, and other materials for conducting trail work
• Be able to help determine work requirements, resources and materials needed to implement project objectives, plans, and requirements effectively
• Have a commitment to exceptional work product (quality and quantity), completed on time
• Have experience working successfully with a large federal land management agency (i.e. the U.S. Forest Service)
• Be able to pass a background check in order to have open access to a federal facility

Preferred additional knowledge and skills

• U.S. Forest Service Chainsaw Certification - Class B Sawyer*
• First Aid/CPR Certification*
• Light equipment operation
• Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder Certification

*These certifications will be provided and required after 4-5 months in the position

Education requirements

• B.S. in Natural Resources, Recreation Management, or related field (preferred)

Physical demands

The incumbent routinely lifts, pushes, pulls and carries items weighing 50 to 100 pounds, and occasionally up to 500 pounds, using mechanical leveraging tools. Work will routinely require walking 4-20 miles at 3 miles per hour over rough and uneven terrain and mountain biking to reach remote locations. This position is physically demanding and requires enthusiasm and motivation to handle those demands.

Work environment

The employee will report to the Pisgah Ranger Station / PRD Work Center, but most of the work will be performed in a mountainous, forested environment where the terrain may be steep, uneven, rocky, wet, and covered with thick and tangled vegetation. Work will often occur in inclement weather (rain, snow, freezing temperatures or temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Local rainfall exceeds 80 inches annually and is a regular companion in working on the Pisgah. The employee may be exposed to irritant chemicals associated with operating and maintaining motorized equipment. Work requires the use of safety equipment (PPE) such as boots, gloves, goggles, chaps, and hardhats. The employee will comply with all U.S. Forest Service protocols in performing the requirements of this position.

Work hours

The position will work 40 hours per week reporting to the Pisgah Ranger Station / PRD Work Center. Some projects may require camping out for up to a week in remote areas of the PRD, although the majority of work will not.

About The Pisgah Conservancy

The Pisgah Conservancy (TPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 2015. Our mission is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to provide key resources for the benefit of Pisgah and its visitors for generations to come.

Our support of the Pisgah Ranger District primarily falls into these categories:

• Recreation support, including trail maintenance and repair
• Watershed improvement
• Invasive plant removal
• Trash clean ups and graffiti removal
• Habitat improvement
• Visitor information and education

To learn more about our work, please visit: https://pisgahconservancy.org/

TPC prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable local, state or federal law. TPC promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression.