Forestry Ranger
Job Description
Job Description
Seasonal Forestry Crew – Fire Mitigation Team
Location: Wellington Lake, near Bailey, Colorado
Season Dates: April – September
Hourly Rate: Starting at $18/hour (higher compensation available for qualified applicants)
Wellington Lake is a privately owned reservoir dedicated to recreation and conservation, nestled within the National Forest and adjacent to the Lost Creek Wilderness. While summer brings campers and lake-goers, fall and winter are focused on fire mitigation efforts across our forested property.
We’re assembling a small, experienced team to conduct this essential work. Tasks include marking, felling, limbing, and processing trees to reduce wildfire risk. Team members will work either four 10-hour shifts or five 8-hour shifts per week, depending on conditions.
Requirements & Preferred Experience
- Proficient in safe chainsaw operation (felling, limbing)
- Knowledge of chainsaw cleaning and maintenance
- Ability to perform extremely physical labor for extended shifts
- Comfortable working in all weather conditions (rain, sleet, snow)
- Strong teamwork and safety mindset
Preferred Skills
- Experience operating and maintaining heavy machinery (e.g., skid steer, tractor, chipper)
- Familiarity with skidding winch use for bole extraction
- General forestry knowledge (e.g., identifying mistletoe or pine bark beetle infestations)
- Mechanical aptitude for equipment troubleshooting and maintenance
Additional Details
- No housing is available on site.
- Wellington Lake is located ~11 miles southeast of Bailey, CO, a small rural community.
- Short-term housing may be available nearby but must be arranged by the applicant.
- Hiring is contingent upon successful completion of a drug screen and background check.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temporary