Saw Crew Member

General Purpose:

This crew is responsible for tree removal, hazard mitigation, and corridor clearing along ski trails using chainsaws and other forestry tools. Work includes felling, limbing, bucking, and clearing trees in steep, technical mountain terrain. Chainsaw experience is strongly preferred. Candidates must be comfortable working in high-risk environments and demonstrate strong situational awareness, sound judgment, and adherence to safety protocols. Must be capable of working outdoors in all weather conditions and hiking in steep, uneven terrain while carrying tools and equipment. Must also be confident operating vehicles on rugged 4x4 mountain roads.

This is a seasonal position from 6/15/26 to 11/4/26. Dates are subject to change based on the availability of the applicant and needs of the business. This role comes with a free season pass for you and your dependents. Also, eligible for 2026-2027 Winter Season Pass! For a full list of benefits visit https://www.purgatory.ski/employee-benefits/

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Perform tree felling, limbing, and bucking operations using chainsaws in accordance with safety standards.
• Identify and mitigate hazard trees and vegetation impacting resort ski trails and infrastructure.
• Maintain trail corridors and tree islands by removing deadfall, overgrowth, and obstructing timber.
• Safely operate and maintain chainsaws, hand tools, vehicles, and support equipment.
• Conduct daily saw and vehicle inspections, saw sharpening, fueling, and basic maintenance.
• Load, transport, and stage tools, vehicles, and equipment in remote terrain.
• Drive trucks and trailers on steep, narrow, and rough 4x4 mountain roads.
• Work closely with other Trails Maintenance, Snowmaking, and construction crews on project work.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Follow all safety protocols, including PPE requirements and safe cutting/operating practices.

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist with brush clearing and vegetation management as needed
• Support trail construction, drainage work, and erosion control projects
• Maintain work areas and assist with general mountain operations tasks
• Clean up trash on-mountain trash
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Experience in logging, forestry, wildland fire, arboriculture, or heavy equipment strongly preferred. Foundational knowledge in farming, landscaping, construction, or other relevant fields is also preferred.

This role requires:

• Strong hazard recognition and risk management skills
• High level of focus, precision, awareness, and decision-making under pressure
• Physical coordination and stamina
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Mechanical aptitude for chainsaw maintenance
• Strong communication and accountability

Additional skills include memory, reasoning, initiative, integrity, an eye for detail, and the ability to identify and respond to auditory and olfactory cues.

Special Certifications/Licensing: Valid Driver’s License

Preferred certifications and qualifications include one or more of the following:

• USFS / NWCG Sawyer Certification (Faller A, B, or C)
• State or Federal Wildland Fire Chainsaw Qualification (e.g., S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws)
• ISA Certified Arborist, TRAQ or relevant arboriculture training
• OSHA Chainsaw Safety Training or equivalent employer-based certification
• Previous professional experience in logging, forestry, tree service, or fuels reduction crews

Candidates without formal certifications may still be considered if they demonstrate strong, verifiable chainsaw experience and safe operating practices in professional or high-risk environments.

Education or Formal Training: High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience: Minimum 1 year of professional chainsaw use in forestry, logging, arboriculture, or other relevant fields strongly preferred.

Working Environment/Physical Activities:

99% of the workday is spent outdoors in a mountain forest environment, in changing weather conditions including but not limited to: extreme cold and heat, wind, snow, rain, thunder and lightning storms. 30% of the workday is spent standing and 60% is spent walking on uneven terrain. 10% of the workday is spent sitting.

Frequent balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, talking and listening, using near and far acuity depth perception, color and field of vision. Occasionally climbing, crawling, feeling, and smelling. Frequently lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally weighing up to 100lbs.