Field Crew Member
Apply Below
Position Duration: May 12 to October 29 2025
Status: Temporary/Seasonal
Compensation: $16.00/hr paid every two weeks
Training Schedule: Training is anticipated to cover three weeks starting May 12. The first week will be SAWS Orientation for seasonal staff and weeks 2 & 3 will be wilderness skills and technical trail skills trainings. Training is expected to occur Monday-Friday but may change as schedule requires.
Hitch Schedule: 8 days working, 6 days off (8 10-hour days) with potential at the end of the season to require 10 days working, 4 days off (10 8-hour days). Exact schedules will be finalized in the spring.
Anticipated Season Schedule:
Hitch 1: June 4 - June 11
Hitch 2: June 18 - June 25
Hitch 3: July 2 - July 9
Hitch 4: July 16 - July 23
Hitch 5: July 30 - August 6
*Week of August 18 SAWS midseason gathering
Hitch 6: August 27 - September 3
Hitch 7: September 10 - September 17
Hitch 8: September 24 - October 1
Hitch 9: October 8 - October 15
Hitch 10: October 22 - October 29
Location: Crews are based out of Asheville, North Carolina but will be camping and working within various National Forests across the southeast region.
Supervisor: Crew Leader
Crew Structure: One Crew Leader, one Assistant Crew Leader, 4 Crew Members
Hiring Timeline:
*Dates are ideal but applicants may be contacted earlier.*
February 14, 2025: Applications close. Applications received will be reviewed and responded to on a rolling basis.
February 21, 2025: All applicants contacted for interviews.
March 7, 2025: First round of interviews completed.
March 14, 2025: Reference checks completed.
March 21, 2025: All positions hired.
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 at least 8 (and sometimes 10) 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 several hours to a trailhead, backpacking into the project site, staying in the field for 8 days at a time, hiking out, traveling back to the office, cleaning gear, tools, vehicles, and preparing for the next hitch.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Duties are done under supervision of the Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader
Complete field crew member training
Work with crew leaders to effectively complete critical backcountry stewardship projects while maintaining high standards for project completion
Assist in developing and maintaining effective, positive relationships with US Forest Service personnel, partner organization staff, and partner organization volunteers
Create media (blogs, photography, video, etc.) to share for reporting and documentation
Backpack, camp, and work in physically demanding, remote environments for at least 8 (and sometimes 10) days at a time in adverse weather
Help to maintain a crew cache of tools and equipment
Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
Follow SAWS organizational policies in the field
Contribute to an inclusive, safe, positive, and fun working environment
Use a variety of hand tools and understand complex rigging systems
Field Crew Members will complete threes weeks of orientation/training followed by a 22 week season.
Pre-season training consists of:
Crosscut saw training
First Aid and CPR certification
Trail building and maintenance instruction
Backcountry camp and hygiene procedures
Organizational policies and procedures
Wilderness Skills Institute attendance
Once the season starts, all field crews may address projects including, but not limited to:
Trail relocations
Erosion control (installation of water bars, grade dips, log or stone steps, etc.)
Reestablishing trail surface
Brushing trail corridors and removing downed trees
Rockwork
Drain maintenance
Training and Work
Benefits
Food stipend is provided ($10/day) during hitches
May qualify for Public Land Service Corp (PLC) Hiring Authority certificate
Opportunities for professional network growth
Sick time accrual
Opportunities for pro-rated gear deals
Potential for Crosscut saw certification (level depends on proficiency)
Potential for First Aid and CPR certification
Holiday Pay
Qualifications
In addition to enthusiasm for the SAWS mission, applicants should have the following:
Commitment to SAWS’ Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion values and dismantling racist systems and barriers to access to public lands.
Ability to travel on foot over rough terrain for up to 10 miles per day while carrying 60lbs. or more
Ability and desire to create a safe and inclusive work culture
Knowledge about group dynamics and conflict resolution preferred
Ability to live and work in a remote and primitive setting with a diverse group of people without an ability to communicate with folks outside the crew
Desire to be a member of a hard-working team and transformative non-profit organization
Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds
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
Ability to pass a background check
Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
Trail work and/or backpacking experience preferred
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, equitable 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, inclusive work environment, free from discrimination of any kind. We are committed to working towards equity in the outdoors and in conservation by celebrating diversity, fostering inclusivity, and recognizing and working to address past injustices and barriers to equitable access.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume at the bottom of this page. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.
Questions regarding the application may be submitted to Blake Garrison, Field Crew Program Manager at blakegarrison@wildernessstewards.org
SAWS is an equal opportunity employer and provides a drug-free workplace. SAWS values a safe, inclusive work environment, free from discrimination of any kind.