Environmental Technician - Trail Steward

About the opportunity

Are you looking for a career opportunity that allows you to use your love for outdoors, great organizational, communication and people skills to be an integral member of a team? Look no further. SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a dynamic Environmental Technician to support the office in San Luis Obispo, California. Work hours may vary seasonally and depending on project needs and your skills.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an employee-owned company of environmental professionals who specialize in natural and cultural resource management, environmental planning, and regulatory compliance. SWCA offers highly competitive pay rates based on individual qualifications and experience.

What you will accomplish

As a Trail Steward you will be responsible for:

• Performing daily operations of trail facilities. Operations shall include:
  • Reporting all damages to Client’s Work Supervisor.
  • Reporting any trespassing, transient or unauthorized activities to Watch Commander and the local sheriff if determined by Watch Command and Client’s Work Supervisor.
  • Enforcing all trail rules and regulations including all local, state and federal orders, ordinances, statutes, regulations and laws.
  • Complying with all local, state and federal laws, regulations and requirements on the handling and storage of all chemicals, including posting of MSDS forms.
  • Patrolling roads for safety hazards.
  • Performing minor repair on signs and posts and ropes as needed.
  • Patrolling and inspecting all areas for potential safety hazards daily, or more often if needed.
  • Emptying garbage cans and replace plastic liners daily or more often if needed, where applicable.
  • Cleaning up all litter around dumpsters, garbage cans, toilet buildings, trails, entrance roads and parking areas throughout the entire facility daily or more often if needed.
  • Identifying any unsafe conditions, including but not limited to hazard trees that pose a threat to public safety.
  • Straightening or fixing barriers, fences, and signs as needed.
  • Performing trail marker, rope marker, and sign inventory and advising client if inventoried trail indicators need to be fixed or replaced.
  • Keeping walkways free of loose gravel, branches, and other impediments to avoid tripping hazards.
  • Filling in holes on the Trails as needed.
• Implementing a Public Safety Program, which includes, but is not limited to:
  • Providing basic first aid and CPR in accordance with American Red Cross standards.
  • Assist law enforcement agencies or emergency personnel in locating visitors within the facility
• Assist in resolving complaints or disputes involving recreational facility users. Complaints or disputes shall include, but not be limited to, requests for reimbursement for the loss or damage of user’s personal property.
• Maintain pertinent trail records in compliance with state, federal, and local laws.
• Perform and provide written inventories of trail equipment when requested by Client’s Work Supervisor.
• Maintain an up-to-date Excel spreadsheet for park trails that shall include:
  • – Daily hiker numbers per trail.
  • – Incidents.
  • – Any other pertinent information.
• Periodically clean and repair all necessary signage including, but not limited to bulletin boards, facility signs and safety signs as needed.
• Post pre-approved rules, regulations, emergency, and safety information on bulletin boards.
• Wear SWCA logo clothing/uniforms while on duty and nametags will identify individuals as employees of SWCA.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Computer skills with demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, and other software applications such as Adobe Acrobat Professional preferred.
• Excellent communication, multi-tasking, and interpersonal skills with the ability to represent the company in a professional manner
• Willingness to jump into various types of tasks and learn new things to support our team as needs arise.
• Strong customer service approach and problem-solving ability.
• Professional demeanor while working with visitors and colleagues

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma (or GED equivalent) required
• Up to 2 years of current work experience as Trail Steward preferred.
• Must have a current and valid drivers license, with the ability to drive multiple types of vehicles, trucks, 4x4’s, and ATVs.
• Must be able to get to/from the job site.
• Must be able to move heavy objects up to 50 lbs and operate all equipment necessary for maintenance of client’s recreation facilities.
• Must be able to operate GPS devices, including SPOT, Garmin, as well as 2-way radios.
• Must be First Aid/CPR certified.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

An employee in this San Luis Obispo based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $19.43 - $25.73/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.  In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Seniority Level

Entry level

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.