Location: Gila National Forest & Aldo Leopold Wilderness*

Black Range Ranger District and occasionally Wilderness Ranger District

Hermosa Field Station, Forest Service Road 157, Sierra County, New Mexico

  *specific trails to be determined

Schedule: May – October 2026; flexible start and end dates

• Typically 8 days on, 6 days off with regular alterations expected

Compensation: $22.50 – 25.00/per hour depending on experience

• up to $69.13 personal vehicle use reimbursement per hitch
• space to camp in a canvas wall tent the night before and after each hitch (includes access to group bathrooms and wifi) 

Description

Natural Curiosity, Inc. (view website) is seeking qualified candidates for a Wilderness Field Coordinator position on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest. These trails lie within the 2022 Black Fire scar and are typified by poor design in very rugged terrain, with many sections still impacted by deferred maintenance and fire and flood damage. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in trail maintenance in arid landscapes and familiar with Trail Management Objectives within designated Wilderness. The Field Coordinator will be expected to become familiar with all of the trails within Natural Curiosity’s Scope of Work to help identify priority work sites, flag out projects for Trail Crews, collect information on trail conditions before and after work, and overlap with Trail Crews to ensure high quality work is being accomplished. They will assist with training of incoming Crew Leads and Technicians and continue to help crews hone their craft throughout the season. When not scouting projects, the FC will generally work alongside crews. They should be prepared to step into a Crew Lead role in the event of Natural Curiosity Crew Lead absences and will regularly serve as a Project Partner to Youth Crews contributing to Natural Curiosity’s Scope of Work. It is essential that the Field Coordinator balance clarity of vision for what each trail needs with a desire to advance the learning of less experienced trail workers and occasional volunteers.

The work is physically demanding and takes place in a remote Wilderness Area*. Environmental conditions may include extremes of heat and cold, wind, rain, sleet, snow, and high altitude. While Trail Crews camp for 8 days in the backcountry without cell signal during hitches, the Field Coordinator should additionally be prepared to hike, work, and camp alone in these areas. Their schedule is likely to regularly deviate from the 8 days on, 6 days off schedule of the Trail Crew to accommodate scouting and project flagging needs. The Field Coordinator can expect greater hiking distances than the rest of the Trail Crew, often through areas not recently maintained. A tolerance for navigating thick, thorny vegetation on poorly- or un-marked trails is essential. This job is for those who embrace physical discomfort and enjoy physical and mental challenges in a Wilderness setting.

The Field Coordinator will be responsible for proper use and maintenance of Natural Curiosity’s trail tools and tool cache. They will oversee the Trail Crew’s check-in and check-out process for radios, tools, and other gear. Excellent communication and compliance with safety protocols and check-in schedules will be required throughout the term of service. Trail condition documentation -including mapping, photographs, and detailed notes- must be paired with clear and regular communication with Natural Curiosity’s Wilderness Stewardship Director for prioritization of trail sections and trail work. 

*Crosscut saws will be used for all felling and bucking operations, requiring Wilderness First Aid certification and USFS crosscut saw certification; Natural Curiosity will work to provide or coordinate crosscut saw training and certification prior to assigning tasks that require crosscut saws.

Qualifications (please apply if you meet ~80% of the following)

Soft Skills

• Advanced understanding of Trails and Trail Maintenance
• Positive attitude, patience, and an eagerness to learn as a part of an inclusive & dynamic team
• Situational awareness, adaptability, and sound risk management skills
• Ability and willingness to regularly engage in clear communication and collaborative problem-solving
• Comfort working and camping both independently and in group settings and in uncomfortable outdoor condition

Hard Skills

• Ability to travel on foot over rough terrain, 5-15 miles/day, with loads up to 60 lbs
• Wilderness First Responder certification
• Experience with equine pack stock
• USFS Crosscut Sawyer experience or certification (B or C level)
• Understanding of handheld GPS units or phone-based mapping apps
• Competency with google photos, google docs, and google sheets
• Valid driver’s license
• Access to a reliable 4WD or AWD vehicle with current registration & insurance

Mandatory Qualifications

• Ability to pass a background check
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident