Individual Placement - Oahu Trail Crew Leader

Position Summary 

PLEASE READ: Housing is not provided. Candidates must already have or be able to find their own housing in Oahu. Position will be based out of Honolulu (Makiki Valley). Candidate must either have personal transportation or take public transit to and from the office. Transportation from office to and from worksites will be provided. Candidate must have a valid US driver’s license to operate State vehicles.

Come join our Nā Ala Hele staff as a trail crew leader in Oahu, Hawaii. Nā Ala Hele is the State of Hawai‘i Trail and Access Program, created to manage public resources related to hiking. The program manages trail access and conducts trail maintenance to provide important public services including recreational opportunities, experiences related to history and historic trails, and economic opportunities where possible for commercial trail vendors. Nā Ala Hele trails are also important for access into natural areas for management, research, hunting, and wildfire response.

This position will assist in enhancing the sustainability of Oahu’s trails and improving trail conditions for users.

Location 

Honolulu, HI

Schedule 

February 9, 2026 - December 14, 2026

*Dates are flexible. Please inquire during interview. Position is 44 weeks long.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Lead a small team (2-3 crew members) in performing a variety of trail work and forestry projects throughout the island of Oahu. This position is hands-on and projects can be physically demanding. Work may include:

• Vegetation management: Weed whacking, removing brush overgrowth, and clearing blowdowns and removing fallen trees
• Trail construction and improvement projects: maintaining and repairing existing hiking trails and access roads, rerouting and constructing new trail, building trail features (retaining walls, steps, bridges, gates, fences, etc), and installing drainage features and erosion control measures (i.e. grade dips)
• Survey and assess trail conditions: documenting trail damage, identifying and mitigating hazards
• Inventory and upkeep of signage: maintaining and installing trail and hazard signs
• Maintain tools and equipment including weed whackers, chainsaws, hand tools and other equipment.
• Driving state vehicles, sometimes on rough 4-wheel drive roads.

The work week will be 5 days, 8 hours per day, typically M-F but may include occasional evening and weekend work. Conditions often require working outside in inclement weather and may require walking long distances over rough terrain while carrying equipment each day.

Marginal Duties 

May be required to lead volunteer groups in trail maintenance.

May be asked to interact with the public through informal trailside conversation and updates on trail conditions and projects.

Support facilities and grounds maintenance work

Required Qualifications 

Minimum of one year of closely related work experience, preferably leading crews in trail maintenance work.

Trail design, construction, and maintenance skills

Leadership, management, and supervisory experience with youth or young adults

Must be able to work outside in adverse conditions and inclement weather, and be physically fit enough to walk long distances over rough terrain while carrying loads of up to 25 lbs.

Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

Candidate must provide their own housing in Oahu, as well and be able to get to/from office in Honolulu (Makiki Valley). Public buses are an option for those without a vehicle.

Must have a valid US driver’s license to operate State vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications 

Chainsaw experience is desirable. Chainsaw training will be provided as part of this position, for candidates without a current certification.

CPR, Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder training are desirable.

Familiarity with local trails is helpful.

Experience driving on rough roads is helpful.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

No housing is provided.

Compensation  

$1000-1100 (DOE) - weekly living allowance

Health insurance is offered for 11 calendar months

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits 

Defensive Drive Training

Health Insurance

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

Salary : $1,000 - $1,100