Description:
This employment opportunity may involve specific work assignments and a variety of assignments. You would work with intermediate and journeymen level staff in support of office programs and activities to gain practical work experience. The primary purpose of this position is to perform heavy physical labor in the maintenance and construction of the park unit’s trail system.
Responsibilities:
1. Trail Maintenance Operations:
Performs all aspects of trail maintenance and construction as assigned by the trail’s maintenance work leader, or designee. Examples of the work performed include:
- Clears brush and fallen logs from trail corridor; cleans, repairs, and constructs log or rock drains; installs log or rock retainer bars/steps and checks and/or constructs foot and stock bridges from native materials.
- constructs and maintains trail structures such as turnpikes, causeways, cribbing trail tread, riprap and rock retaining walls.
- constructs new segments of trail; and performs rehabilitation and meadow restoration on abandoned or heavily impacted sections of trail.
- Uses shovels, picks, rakes, axes, Pulaski’s, various types of saws (e.g., McLeod's crosscut, pole, bow, etc.), boppers, chisels, sledgehammers, single jacks, rock bars,draw knives, measuring tapes, levels, squares, scribes, gasoline-powered jackhammers and rock drills, chainsaws, and other trade tools when performing trail maintenance and construction duties.
- Maintains all tools and equipment used, in safe operating condition. Ensures work is performed safely and within prescribed NPS standards.
2. Seasonal and Park Support Duties
During early spring and late fall, trail crew members will assist other park divisions with support tasks, including:
- Spring cleaning at visitor centers, picnic areas, maintenance yards, and campgrounds
- Removal of sand, debris, and leaves using leaf blowers, shovels, and brooms
- Cutting and chipping hazard trees in campgrounds
3. Work Schedule and Project Flow:
- Early season work focuses on lower-elevation and shorter trails to avoid snow conditions and allow for crew acclimation
- Initial tasks include blowdown removal and pole saw operations
- Trails are revisited later for finishing work using weed trimmers and hand tools
- Higher-elevation and more physically demanding trails are completed later in the season once acclimation is achieved
- Trail projects may be conducted in coordination with partner groups, with the GRBA Trail Crew providing support as needed
- In June, the Trail Crew will collaborate with a Wilderness Volunteer Group (approximately 10 members) to complete maintenance on the Dead Lake Trail (week of June 14)
Equipment and Gear Provided by the Park (Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including:)
- Gloves
- Ear protection
- Hard hats
- Sunglasses
- Backpacks
- Plastic 1-liter water canteens
- Chaps: if NPS Chainsaw Safety Program for Non-wildlife Fire Operations (NCSP) Sawyer level Certified
Recommended (Not Provided)
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Light jacket and rain jacket
- Sturdy work boots
- Neck gaiter (for dust and pollen)
- Personal backpack (optional) Just in case you don’t like the ones provided
- 1-quart Nalgene water bottles
Qualifications:
Physical Effort The work performed requires very heavy physical effort. The incumbent routinely lifts, pushes, pulls, and carries items weighing 50 pounds, and up to 150 pounds (or more) with assistance. Work will routinely require walking several miles per day over park trails to and from job sites. Most of this work is done above 8,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level.
Prefered Qualifications:
- Strong work ethic and positive attitude
- Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment
- Comfort with physically demanding outdoor work
- Willingness to learn and follow established safety protocols
- Dependability, motivation, and adaptability
Schedule:
Monday to Thursday (or four-10 hour days)
Housing:
Housing Available
Estimated START Date:
2026-05-18
Estimated END Date:
2026-08-28
Agency:
National Park Service
Location:
Great Basin National Park, Baker Nevada 89311