CCF 2026 Job Application | Cottonwood Canyons Foundation

JOB
APPLICATION
FORM
2026

JOB APPLICATION FORM 2026

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Job Description ▼

Trail Crew Member

Job Type: Full-time, seasonal

Hourly Wage: $20.00 to $22.00 depending on experience

Experience : Minimum 1 year; Preferred 2 – 4 years

MISSION:

The Cottonwood Canyons Foundation supports the environment of the Cottonwood Canyons through stewardship and education. The Cottonwood Canyons provide approximately 60% of the drinking water for the Salt Lake area. Located just east of Salt Lake City (and home to Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude), the Cottonwood Canyons are located within one of the most highly visited portions of national forest in the nation, with the tri-canyons receiving over 5 million visits a year.

CCF strives to educate the public on the Canyons' importance and how they can help promote their ecological health. CCF works to provide the community with direct and hands-on ways to give back to this environment through volunteering.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Cottonwood Canyons Foundation is seeking professionals for the 2026 Trail Crew field season. We are looking for applicants who have proven experience in building trails and are passionate about trail stewardship and education. The Trail Crew Members will staff a professional trail crew working on a variety of trail projects in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Millcreek Canyon. The position is field-based and labor-intensive, with work ranging from technical stone masonry projects to coordinating volunteer events.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work alongside Forest Service staff, fellow trail crew members, and volunteers to create sustainable trails

Lift, transport, and position materials into stable structures following specifications established by the CCF Trail Crew Lead

Safely and efficiently work with a variety of tools, including chainsaws and crosscut saws, power tools, rock hammers and chisels, rock bars, hammer drills, feathers and wedges, and assist with maintenance of equipment

Assess, train, and supervise volunteers in safe, efficient techniques for tread construction, and material gathering, transport, and construction of rock structures

Work closely with and follow specific directions from the Trail Crew Lead

Be reliably prompt and available to work a regular schedule

Interact with community members in a polite and professional manner to promote the mission of CCF

Create and maintain a collaborative work environment by consistently communicating respectfully and effectively with all parties involved

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Moderate to advanced knowledge and experience in trail construction and restoration with an emphasis on major projects, stonework, stone quarrying, and material management. Minimum 1 year experience required; 2 – 4 years' experience preferred

Experience training, supervising, and/or managing other staff and volunteers

Conscientious judgment and experience in managing risk

Possess a very strong work ethic, drive for a quality finished product, and strong problem-solving skills

An ability to work in both a team and an independent setting

Extreme flexibility, adaptability, creativity, and the ability to multitask and think quickly on one's feet

Possess a high level of fitness including ability to hike with weight and on unsure terrain, strong cardiovascular fitness, ability to lift up to and exceeding 50 lbs on a continual basis

Excellent communication skills, written and verbal

A- or B-level Sawyer Certification preferred

WFA/WFR Certification preferred

Possess reliable transportation for occasional personal transport to and from worksites (paid mileage)

In accordance with partner grant requirements, CCF maintains a drug-free workplace. Applicants may be required to pass a criminal background check as a condition of employment

SCHEDULE

Crew Season: May to September. CCF can accommodate students who need to start back to school in the fall.

Work sites are located in Millcreek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon, with occasional projects in outlying areas

Work Schedule is 8-hour shifts, Tuesday – Saturday

BENEFITS

Hourly salary range of $20.00 – $24.00, depending on experience

PTO accrues at 13.3 hours per month (approximately 8 days over May - September season); PTO offered in lieu of paid holidays

Uniform shirts provided, boot stipend provided, paid professional development training provided

Season completion bonus

Plants Crew Member

Job Type: Full-time, seasonal

Hourly Wage: $20.00 to $22.00 depending on experience

Experience : Minimum 1 year

MISSION:

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The CCF Plants Crew is a team of hard-working botanists who strive to steward the botanical ecosystem of the Central Wasatch mountains. As these canyons are essential for the drinking water supply for Salt Lake City, the healthy, biodiverse ecosystem acts as a natural water filtration system. The crew responsibilities include mapping invasive plants, treating invasive plants either by hand pulling or herbicide, restoring disturbed areas with seeds or seedlings, collecting native plant seeds, mapping rare plants, and hosting volunteer events.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a challenging job with long, physically-demanding days in extreme outdoor environments (regular high temperatures with full sun exposure)

CCF is seeking individuals who are driven to do high quality work, curious to learn new skills, and able to maintain a positive attitude in adverse and dynamic conditions

The position requires a proven ability to work hard, be independently motivated, and be a creative problem solver

CCF seeks individuals who are eager to work professionally alongside fellow crew members, partner organizations, volunteers, and members of the public. CCF seeks crew members who are adaptable, safety oriented, open to feedback

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Experience identifying plants and using dichotomous keys

Experience using mapping software such as ArcGIS Field Maps or Collector

Experience growing plants

Weeding/ invasive plant removal experience

Coursework in botany, plant ecology, plant taxonomy, field botany, restoration ecology, or land management

Experience working with volunteers or being a volunteer

Guiding or group outdoor management experience

Leadership or conflict management skills

WFA/WFR certification, professional medical training, or First Aid/CPR certification preferred; will train if needed

Herbicide applicator license is preferred; will train if needed

Possess reliable transportation for occasional personal transport to and from worksites (paid mileage)

Be reliably prompt and available to work a regular schedule

Possess a high level of fitness including ability to hike with weight and on unsure terrain, strong cardiovascular fitness, ability to lift up to and exceeding 50 lbs on a continual basis

In accordance with partner grant requirements, CCF maintains a drug-free workplace. Applicants may be required to pass a criminal background check as a condition of employment

SCHEDULE

Crew Season: May to September. CCF can accommodate students who need to start back to school in the fall.

Work sites are located in Millcreek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon, with occasional projects in outlying areas

Work Schedule is 8-hour shifts, Tuesday – Saturday

BENEFITS

Hourly salary range of $20.00 – $22.00, depending on experience

PTO accrues at 13.3 hours per month (approximately 8 days over May - September season); PTO offered in lieu of paid holidays

Uniform shirts provided, boot stipend provided, paid professional development training provided

Season completion bonus

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Your Contact Information ▼

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Professional Experience ▼

How many years' experience do you have as a Trail Crew Member? *

How many years' experience do you have doing stone masonry work? *

Do you have experience with leading volunteer events? *

Please explain if Yes

Please specify your level of sawyer certification, if any? *

Please specify WFA or WFR certification, if any? *

How many years' experience do you have as a Plants Crew Member? *

Do you have experience with leading volunteer events? *

Please explain if Yes

Do you have an herbicide applicator's license? *

Please specify WFA or WFR certification, if any? *

Additional Questions ▼

Please rank the following goals for the season with 1 being Not Important and 5 being Very Important: *

	1	2	3	4	5
Hard, challenging, but impactful work	1Hard, challenging, but impactful work 1	2Hard, challenging, but impactful work 2	3Hard, challenging, but impactful work 3	4Hard, challenging, but impactful work 4	5Hard, challenging, but impactful work 5
A good work-life balance	1A good work-life balance 1	2A good work-life balance 2	3A good work-life balance 3	4A good work-life balance 4	5A good work-life balance 5
Varied, interesting work throughout the workweek	1Varied, interesting work throughout the workweek 1	2Varied, interesting work throughout the workweek 2	3Varied, interesting work throughout the workweek 3	4Varied, interesting work throughout the workweek 4	5Varied, interesting work throughout the workweek 5
Ability to see new things and try new experiences	1Ability to see new things and try new experiences 1	2Ability to see new things and try new experiences 2	3Ability to see new things and try new experiences 3	4Ability to see new things and try new experiences 4	5Ability to see new things and try new experiences 5

Please rank the following statements about yourself with 1 being Does Not Describe Me and 5 being Describes Me Perfectly *

	1	2	3	4	5
I am confident in my abilities, and in my ability to lead others	1I am confident in my abilities, and in my ability to lead others 1	2I am confident in my abilities, and in my ability to lead others 2	3I am confident in my abilities, and in my ability to lead others 3	4I am confident in my abilities, and in my ability to lead others 4	5I am confident in my abilities, and in my ability to lead others 5
I am always prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food	1I am always prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 1	2I am always prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 2	3I am always prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 3	4I am always prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 4	5I am always prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 5
I enjoy learning new work skills more than doing what I know best	1I enjoy learning new work skills more than doing what I know best 1	2I enjoy learning new work skills more than doing what I know best 2	3I enjoy learning new work skills more than doing what I know best 3	4I enjoy learning new work skills more than doing what I know best 4	5I enjoy learning new work skills more than doing what I know best 5
I am comfortable with following authority even if I strongly disagree with the leader's techniques	1I am comfortable with following authority even if I strongly disagree with the leader's techniques 1	2I am comfortable with following authority even if I strongly disagree with the leader's techniques 2	3I am comfortable with following authority even if I strongly disagree with the leader's techniques 3	4I am comfortable with following authority even if I strongly disagree with the leader's techniques 4	5I am comfortable with following authority even if I strongly disagree with the leader's techniques 5
I prefer long days and challenging work environments if it means we are doing great work	1I prefer long days and challenging work environments if it means we are doing great work 1	2I prefer long days and challenging work environments if it means we are doing great work 2	3I prefer long days and challenging work environments if it means we are doing great work 3	4I prefer long days and challenging work environments if it means we are doing great work 4	5I prefer long days and challenging work environments if it means we are doing great work 5
I am more secure in letting others take control and follow their lead	1I am more secure in letting others take control and follow their lead 1	2I am more secure in letting others take control and follow their lead 2	3I am more secure in letting others take control and follow their lead 3	4I am more secure in letting others take control and follow their lead 4	5I am more secure in letting others take control and follow their lead 5
I believe people consider me easy-going	1I believe people consider me easy-going 1	2I believe people consider me easy-going 2	3I believe people consider me easy-going 3	4I believe people consider me easy-going 4	5I believe people consider me easy-going 5
I am mostly on time and occasionally miss work when a day off is needed	1I am mostly on time and occasionally miss work when a day off is needed 1	2I am mostly on time and occasionally miss work when a day off is needed 2	3I am mostly on time and occasionally miss work when a day off is needed 3	4I am mostly on time and occasionally miss work when a day off is needed 4	5I am mostly on time and occasionally miss work when a day off is needed 5
I am really good at what I do and would like to focus on that skill set	1I am really good at what I do and would like to focus on that skill set 1	2I am really good at what I do and would like to focus on that skill set 2	3I am really good at what I do and would like to focus on that skill set 3	4I am really good at what I do and would like to focus on that skill set 4	5I am really good at what I do and would like to focus on that skill set 5
I prefer evenly-balanced days with the right blend of work time and break time	1I prefer evenly-balanced days with the right blend of work time and break time 1	2I prefer evenly-balanced days with the right blend of work time and break time 2	3I prefer evenly-balanced days with the right blend of work time and break time 3	4I prefer evenly-balanced days with the right blend of work time and break time 4	5I prefer evenly-balanced days with the right blend of work time and break time 5
I am most comfortable sharing my personal opinions and ideas that are very important to me	1I am most comfortable sharing my personal opinions and ideas that are very important to me 1	2I am most comfortable sharing my personal opinions and ideas that are very important to me 2	3I am most comfortable sharing my personal opinions and ideas that are very important to me 3	4I am most comfortable sharing my personal opinions and ideas that are very important to me 4	5I am most comfortable sharing my personal opinions and ideas that are very important to me 5
I am always on time and rarely miss work	1I am always on time and rarely miss work 1	2I am always on time and rarely miss work 2	3I am always on time and rarely miss work 3	4I am always on time and rarely miss work 4	5I am always on time and rarely miss work 5
I prefer to work with others as a team to accomplish group goals	1I prefer to work with others as a team to accomplish group goals 1	2I prefer to work with others as a team to accomplish group goals 2	3I prefer to work with others as a team to accomplish group goals 3	4I prefer to work with others as a team to accomplish group goals 4	5I prefer to work with others as a team to accomplish group goals 5
I prefer to speak up to share my ideas when work technique strategies differ	1I prefer to speak up to share my ideas when work technique strategies differ 1	2I prefer to speak up to share my ideas when work technique strategies differ 2	3I prefer to speak up to share my ideas when work technique strategies differ 3	4I prefer to speak up to share my ideas when work technique strategies differ 4	5I prefer to speak up to share my ideas when work technique strategies differ 5
I am usually prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food	1I am usually prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 1	2I am usually prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 2	3I am usually prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 3	4I am usually prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 4	5I am usually prepared for the day with pack supplies, water and food 5
I prefer to work by myself to get my individual task accomplished	1I prefer to work by myself to get my individual task accomplished 1	2I prefer to work by myself to get my individual task accomplished 2	3I prefer to work by myself to get my individual task accomplished 3	4I prefer to work by myself to get my individual task accomplished 4	5I prefer to work by myself to get my individual task accomplished 5

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