Regional Trail Crew Leaders 2026

Compensation: $24.50 - $25.50/hour, temporary, full-time, non-exempt

Priority application date: January 4, 2026

Season dates: April 20 - October 15, 2026

Base of operations: Varies, please see below for details

Housing: Varies, please see below for which regions offer no-cost housing

About Trail Crew Leader opportunities

WTA seeks 3 Trail Crew Leaders to advance our mission to mobilize hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. The Trail Crew Leaders will contribute to the overall success of WTA by leading single and multiday volunteer trail work parties in various locations throughout Washington. The Trail Crew Leaders will work in both frontcountry and backcountry locations and will focus on a broad range of trail projects including annual maintenance, new trail construction, logout and construction of trail structures. On backcountry hitches the Trail Crew Leaders will be predominantly self-supported and required to carry their tools, food and camp supplies into remote settings.

The ideal candidate will love working with people outdoors and share our commitment to trail stewardship and volunteerism. They will have prior experience with trail work, leading a team outdoors and share our belief that everyone should feel safe and included in the outdoor community. The Trail Crew Leader will contribute to the overall success of WTA by ensuring that all work is completed to specification by our land management partners and by cultivating a sense of safety and belonging at worksites for crew members of diverse identities, experiences and backgrounds.

Trail Crew Leader Location and Schedule

The Trail Crew Leader is a temporary, full-time, non-exempt position. WTA is seeking 3 Trail Crew Leaders based in the following Washington locations; Quilcene (Olympic National Forest), Puyallup and Mount Rainier National Park (Mount Rainier National Park), and Darrington and Verlot (Darrington Ranger District).

The Trail Crew Leaders are temporary positions beginning April 20, 2026, and continuing through October 15, 2026. Work will take place in the locations listed above. The expected work schedule is 40 hours per week over 4-5 days and will require working weekends. Generally, single-day work parties will occur Thursday-Sunday unless otherwise defined. Throughout the season, the Trail Crew Leader may also be assigned to lead volunteers on backcountry trail projects 4-7 days in length. Work party-related communication, as well as documentation of activities, may occur outside of work party days. Training opportunities will be available at the start of the season. There is a weeklong, unpaid summer break from August 3-9, 2026.

Trail Crew Leader Compensation

Compensation is $24.50 - $25.50/hour, depending on experience. A supplementary per diem of up to $50/day is provided for multi-day backcountry trips. WTA provides a cell phone, hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses. WTA does not provide boots, clothing or other personal outdoor and backpacking gear required for fieldwork, but does provide a $300 reimbursement to offset wear and tear on personal gear.

A WTA vehicle will be provided for transportation to work parties from the base of operations. Should a personal vehicle be used to fulfill program needs, mileage reimbursement is provided for travel between the work site and the base of operations (listed below), up to 250 miles round trip. Position is eligible for paid holidays, sick leave, health stipend and an employer match retirement plan. For more information on benefits, please visit our website at www.wta.org/benefits.

Learn more about the Darrington Ranger District - Trail Crew Leader

Learn more about the Mount Rainier National Park - Trail Crew Leader

Learn more about the Olympic National Forest - Trail Crew Leader

Our hiring process

At WTA we consistently evaluate and update our hiring process to align with current best practices for equity and inclusion. The hiring process for this role will include a phone screen, virtual panel interview, background check and reference checks. WTA’s practice is to run a background check with the opportunity to discuss any results before final hiring decisions are made. If you have any questions or need accommodation in our recruitment process, please contact seasonaljobs@wta.org.

Equal opportunity

We believe WTA and Washington’s outdoor community are stronger when made up of people with varied backgrounds, identities, abilities and lived experiences. WTA is committed to advancing equity and continually working to become a more inclusive organization. People of color and people with other identities that are underrepresented in the outdoor industry — including but not limited to gender identity, class, sexual orientation, age, ability and background — are strongly encouraged to apply. To read our complete Equal Opportunity Employer statement, please visit www.wta.org/careers.

How to apply :

Complete a brief application form and submit a resume to seasonaljobs@wta.org.

Please use the following format for file names: “last name, first name - resume.” If applying to Olympic National Forest; please use "Olympic National Forest - Trail Crew Leader" in the subject line. If applying to Mount Rainier National Park; please use "Mount Rainier National Park - Trail Crew Leader" in subject line. If applying to Darrington Ranger District; please use "Darrington Ranger District - Trail Crew Leader” in the subject line.

All job descriptions can be found on our website.

These positions are open until filled, with priority given to applications received by January 4, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact seasonaljobs@wta.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

A supplementary per diem of up to $50/day is provided for multi-day backcountry trips. WTA provides a $300 reimbursement to offset wear and tear on personal gear. Positions are eligible for paid holidays, sick leave, health stipend and an employer match retirement plan. For more information on benefits, please visit our website at www.wta.org/benefits.