Overview

Inspiring Hikers to Create Trails for Everyone, Forever

Washington is home to extraordinary hiking destinations, including desert dunes, wild beaches, tranquil mountain tops and raging rivers. Washington is also home to a community of people who are passionate about exploring and protecting these places. This constituency—our members and supporters—is key to the future of trails in Washington.

Washington Trails Association (WTA) is the nation’s largest hiking and trail maintenance nonprofit. We have a 50-year legacy of engaging the hiking community to ensure Washington’s trails stand the test of time. With more than 27,000 members and an online community of over 300,000 and growing, we are connecting people to the outdoors — from everyday adventures to backcountry explorations. Each year 4,500 WTA volunteers perform over 160,000 hours of trail maintenance across the state. We mobilize hikers as public lands advocates, trail stewards, and on-the-ground experts sharing knowledge with fellow hikers. WTA’s strength is our community and our vision depends on fostering an inclusive organization where everyone feels welcome and represented. Together we can ensure there are trails for everyone, forever.

Position Summary

WTA is seeking trail leaders who love working with people and share our commitment to trail stewardship and volunteerism. The ideal candidates will love working outdoors with others in all weather, have prior experience camping and doing trail work, and share our belief that everyone should feel safe and included in the outdoors community.

A variety of positions are based throughout the state. Compensation starts at $20.00/hour and up to $23.00/hour depending on the position and experience. Positions are also eligible for paid holidays, sick leave, health stipend and an employer match retirement plan.

About Washington Trails Association

Washington Trails Association mobilizes hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands.

We believe:
That exploring nature is good for people’s hearts, minds and bodies, and that hiking is a powerful way for everyone to connect with Washington’s natural wonders.
That people will protect the places they love to hike, from local parks to remote wilderness.
It is vitally important for everyone to have the opportunity to access the outdoors, and we are committed to reducing barriers to hiking trails and lands.

History
WTA began in 1966 as Signpost magazine and has grown into a diverse community of hikers speaking out for trails and wildlands.

OUR WORK
Programs approach: Learn about the multifaceted approach of our program work to educate, inspire and engage hikers—all to protect the trails and wild places we love. Strategic Plan 2021-2025: We invite you to join in the journey of creating trails for everyone, forever.
Accomplishments: From creating Washington’s largest volunteer trail maintenance program to reforming legislation that allocates trail funding, find out what WTA has accomplished since our founding in 1966.