Year-Round Field Crew Member: Tennessee
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About the Job
Four Field Crew Members will work under supervision of a Field Crew Leader and an Assistant Field Crew Leader while camping and working on remote projects with limited to no cell service. Crews are expected to backpack and live in physically demanding, remote environments for up to 8 days at a time. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly including freezing temperatures, high humidity, persistent rain, and high elevation. The remote nature of our work may mean delayed access to medical care. Crew Members should have good communication skills and judgment, an ability to be trained in the field, professionalism, initiative, willingness to learn, ability to express needs and concerns, emotional maturity and resilience, resourcefulness, and comfort in the outdoors with minimal contact to others while on hitch.
A typical work hitch includes meeting at the SAWS office, driving a SAWS vehicle to a trailhead (sometimes multiple hours), backpacking into the project site, staying in the field for up to ten days at a time, hiking out, traveling back to the office, cleaning gear, tools, vehicles, completing reporting requirements, and preparing for the next work hitch.
Field crews may address projects including, but not limited to:
Rockwork (stairs, retaining walls, etc.)
Reestablishing trail surface
Brushing trail corridors and removing downed trees
Erosion control (installation of water bars, grade dips, log or stone steps, etc.)
Trail relocations
Trail conditions surveys
Public lands boundary marking
Public education (Leave No Trace, bear safety and awareness, Wilderness education, etc.)
Other tasks as assigned
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Duties are done under supervision of the Crew Leader, Assistant Crew Leader, and occasionally the Field Coordinator.
Essential Duties
Perform trail maintenance and construction, including but not limited to: clearing downed trees, brushing trail corridors, repairing tread, addressing drainage issues, building trail structures, using rigging systems, and removing trash.
Backpack, camp, and work in physically demanding, remote environments for up to 8 days at a time (and occasionally up to 10 days) with a crew of 5 other people.
Perform continual and physically strenuous activities for up to 11 hours a day including: hiking up steep slopes or for long miles into high elevation, and using trail tools including crosscut saws/chainsaws, 8lb hammers, hoes, shovels, and mattocks by pushing and pulling, lifting, kneeling, bending, squatting, twisting, sitting, and climbing.
Travel on foot over rough terrain for up to 10 miles per day while carrying 60lbs. or more.
Regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
Live and work in a remote and primitive setting with a diverse group of people without the ability to communicate with people outside the crew.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Communicate by email and phone about work details and report worked time through payroll software.
Additional Expectations
Work with crew leaders to effectively complete critical backcountry stewardship projects while maintaining high standards for project completion.
Maintain a positive working environment in challenging conditions including extreme cold or heat, prolonged sun exposure, persistent rain, high humidity, and biting insects.
Address and work through conflicts and interpersonal dynamics amongst the crew, with other SAWS staff, and with partners.
Follow SAWS policies and procedures and attend all SAWS staff events in various locations in the southeast.
Assist in developing and maintaining effective, positive relationships with US Forest Service personnel, partner organization staff, and partner organization volunteers
Ability and desire to create a safe and inclusive work culture
Help maintain SAWS gear and tool cache including monitoring inventory and repairing broken tools.
Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
Create media (photography, video, etc.) to share for reporting and documentation
Benefits
USFS Crosscut saw certification
First Aid and CPR certification
Opportunities for professional development and network growth
May qualify for Public Land Service Corp (PLC) Hiring Authority certificate
Opportunities for pro-rated gear deals
Health, dental, vision insurance (Health: SAWS pays 100% of monthly premium, 50% of premium for dependents. Dental & Vision: Employee pays 100% of premiums)
Life and disability insurance
Paid vacation (16ohrs) and holidays (14 days)
Sick leave accrual
Paid parental leave
Food stipend ($40 per day in the field)
Qualifications
In addition to enthusiasm for the SAWS mission, applicants should have the following:
Desire to be a member of a hard-working team and transformative non-profit organization
At least 10 months of active experience on a trail crew or similar role
Experience backpacking or in the back country either in a personal or professional setting is preferred
Ability to gain a First Aid and CPR certification. (Current certifications preferred.)
Ability to gain a crosscut certification. (Current certifications preferred.)
Knowledge about group dynamics and conflict resolution preferred
Must be able to speak, understand, read, and write English
Ability to pass a background check
Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
Must have a reliable form of transportation to get to SAWS Office.
About Us
Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) sets standards of excellence that inspire, connect, and equip people to steward wild landscapes. We provide stewardship to protected public lands in the Southern Appalachian region, including Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Founded in 2010, SAWS partners with federal agencies, including the Forest Service, to supplement existing stewardship efforts and provide additional support for training, skill-building, and community engagement. SAWS works to support safe access to public lands, preserve natural resources, and develop the next generation of conservation stewards. SAWS is headquartered in Asheville, NC with an office in Roanoke, VA.
SAWS is an equal opportunity employer and provides a drug-free workplace. SAWS values a safe work environment, free from discrimination of any kind.
Learn more about SAWS and what we do on our website www.wildernessstewards.org.