Trails Assistant Crew Lead

Trails Assistant Crew Lead

It's a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline: June 17, 2026

Compensation Details: Full Pay Range 22.98 - 33.32 Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range. This is a full-time hourly position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Benefit Eligibility Group: Seasonal Traditional Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary: Under general supervision, emphasizes and involves a variety of knowledge and abilities in the field of trail construction and maintenance including installation and maintenance of related infrastructure, carpentry, and operation of a motor vehicle, mechanized equipment and trailers. The Trails Assistant Crew Lead is expected to perform trail construction and maintenance under minimal supervision from the Crew Lead. Trails Assistant Crew Leads will assume leadership of trail crew in absence of the Trail Crew Lead. The position will assist the Trail Crew Lead in training and directing the work of people in the Crew Member position, Jr. Rangers, Ready to Work, youth corps., volunteers, and other groups and individuals assigned to trail projects.

Job Description:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports direction of crew member staff activities for the Trail program.
• Helps Trail Crew Lead plan, develop, and relay daily work plans for trail crew and ensures that directions are being followed.
• Assists the Trail Crew Lead in providing work leadership and training crew members and other work crews in essential skills necessary to safely and effectively perform a variety of trail construction and maintenance projects.
• Remains alert to conditions and events occurring on the system and anticipates needed actions and reports such needs to the supervisor.
• Conducts daily safety briefings and completes safety logs.
• Supports Crew Lead in performing or coordinating necessary training for crew members including writing equipment maintenance protocols, safe equipment and tool operation and all safety precautions.
• Ensures crews are conducting work efficiently, effectively, and in a safe and legal manner. Anticipates unsafe circumstances and takes precautions to prevent accidents.
• Supports Crew Lead in resolving conflicts among crew members, maintains a positive team environment, and refers issues appropriately to their immediate supervisor
• Works as part of a crew to perform routine, cyclic, and specialized maintenance, repair and reconstruction/construction on trail and related structures and facilities, including clearing (specialized), grading; path improvements, maintenance and repair; carpentry work; and use of associated tools and equipment.
• Operates and uses specialized equipment: chainsaws, excavators, power carriers, mowers, graders, skid steers, grinders and sharpening tools, etc.
• Assists the Crew Lead in the organization and maintenance of tools and equipment in the field as well as general upkeep of the tools and materials
• Coordinates and performs trail fieldwork and short-term deliverables to accomplish department goals.
• Work as part of a team.
• Conducts assigned responsibilities within the program to meet department goals, which may include trail maintenance and construction/replacement, project related outreach, implementation of the identified management practices, and monitoring.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability and willingness to work in adverse weather and field conditions.
• Ability to stay cool under pressure and does not become defensive or irritated; is a settling influence during a crisis.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, departments, governmental agencies, and the public.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Ability to always represent the City of Boulder and Open Space and Mountain Parks with integrity to the public and project partners.
• Ability to prepare effective written reports, and to work and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, including the ability to deal courteously with the public and land users.
• Ability to rely on experience, training, and independent judgment in determining how to plan and execute responsibilities in resourceful and effective ways.
• Ability to use all safety equipment.
• Knowledge of functional / technical skills – Effectively applies technical knowledge to solve a range of problems related to relevant program disciplines; keeps informed about cutting-edge technology and practices in assigned technical area.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Skill in communication expressing ideas effectively, organizes and delivers information appropriately; actively listens to concerns and is open to the ideas of colleagues and customers.
• Skill in organization putting together resources to get assignments done; uses resources effectively and efficiently.
• Skill in teamwork working effectively as a member of formal and informal teams; understanding the interests and concerns of others and is able and willing to share and receive information; cooperates within and across groups and supports group decisions.
• Skill in timely decision making keeping self and team members on task; makes decisions in a timely manner sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines.
• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.
• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to use and repair tools and equipment common to the trade.
• Ability to identify what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it.
• Ability to operate specialized equipment including chainsaws, tractors, skidders, winches, 4x4 vehicle off road, and hauling trailers while adhering to department use and safety standards
• Knowledge and experience with hand and power tools common to the trade.
• Skills and proficient use of MS Office, ArcGIS or field data collection software.
• Bachelor's degree in recreation ecology, recreation resource management, environmental study/science, natural resource management, parks and protected area management, human dimensions, construction, project management or related field.
• Certified in Advanced First Aid.
• S-212 or equivalent Chainsaw Certification.
• Experience supervising work crews in trail maintenance or related field.
• Prior experience leading technicians, contractors, and/or volunteers.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One (1) year of experience in the trail maintenance, landscaping, construction or related field.

Supervision

Supervision received: Trail Program Manager or Trails Senior Program Manager

Supervision exercised: None

Working Conditions and Requirements

• Physical and Mental Effort: Ability to perform a wide range of physical and manual tasks in an outdoor environment. Heavy physical effort is required in bending, lifting and using hand and power tools in trail work. Routinely lifts, pushes, pulls, and carries items weighing 50 pounds, and up to 150 pounds (or more) with assistance while hiking on rough terrain. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.
• Work Environment: Works in an outdoor environment year-round. Potential exposure to dangerous wildlife (e.g., rattlesnakes, mountain lions, stinging insects), toxic chemicals (paint), dangerous plants (poison ivy) and dangerous weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, lightning). Also works in an indoor setting at a desk.
• Machines and Equipment Used: Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers, calculators, cell phones, and copy machines; vehicles including four-wheel drive vehicles and pulling a trailer; a range of relevant and appropriate tools and equipment.

As part of the City of Boulder's commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person's race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city's policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national