Larimer County Parks & Open Lands
Volunteer Trail Crew Leader Expectations

Department: Larimer County Parks and Open Lands
Programs: Horsetooth and Blue Mountain Park Districts and Open Lands
Locations: Horsetooth and Blue Mountain Park Districts, Open Space Areas: Devil's Backbone
Ramsay-Shockey, Fossil Creek and Eagle's Nest

A Volunteer Trail Crew Leader (TCL) donates their time in a leadership role working with volunteers and staff to perform basic trail maintenance following Larimer County Parks and Open Lands trail standards. Upon completion of a one-day training, trail crew leaders will need to commit to working 3 volunteer workdays anytime between May through October. Trail Crew Leaders who want to work solely, on their own will be required to work side by side with our trail crew staff for 24 hours (3 full work days or 6 half days) during the week, practicing what they learned at the trail crew leader training.

Duties vary, but can be a combination of the following:

• Commit to working 3 volunteer workdays anytime between May through October
• If part of a trail adoption group, serve as the liaison to the group making sure they show up on work days prepared, dressed correctly and have brought water, gloves, and lunch.
• Ensure that volunteers sign liability waivers each volunteer trail work day and return them to the volunteer office
• Be able to hike 2 to 4 miles
• Remove excessive berms created by trail use.
• Clean out existing waterbars
• Remove fallen trees, rocks, dirt, and debris from trails
• Trim overgrown branches along trails
• Fix eroded trails
• Re-vegetate when necessary

• Complete the volunteer Trail Crew Leader training
• Attend refresher training each year you want to continue serving as a TCL
• Be friendly and courteous to staff, visitors, and volunteers and communicate clearly with them
• Be able to lead the "tool and safety" talk at the beginning of each volunteer work day
• Provide own transportation
• Maintain good physical condition, strong back, and be able to hike 2 to 4 miles
• Be willing to work outdoors
• Be a team player, and work cooperatively in a group and with volunteers
• Be able to work a minimum of 5 hours on a weekend day
• Abide by Department regulations and safety guidelines
• Knowledge of trail maintenance and trail tools helpful, but not necessary

• Prepare and train volunteers through orientation, and job specific training
• Provide safe working conditions
• Organize and schedule volunteers in an efficient and timely manner
• Provide necessary tools and trail supplies
• Evaluate volunteer training and improve each year
• Recognize and reward volunteers as valued team members

• Be on time
• Show up on trail workdays prepared and dressed appropriately, no sandals or open-toed shoes
• Bring water, work gloves, sack lunch and sunscreen
• Treat staff, volunteers and visitors courteously and with respect
• Participate in the volunteer safety and tool training
• Take ownership of your own safety and of the safety of others.
• Complete time sheets and turn them in
• Complete report forms on the trail work that was completed
• Return tools and supplies to staff supervisor at the end of the day
• Provide own transportation
• Provide own "creature comforts" as needed - hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, raingear, sack lunch & water

• Heat stress - bring and drink a lot of water
• Rattlesnakes are located on our parks and open spaces
• Sore muscles from lifting, raking, and pulling; and blisters on hands
• Injuries or damage from misuse of tools
• Inclement weather (lightening, rain, etc.)
• Disease, stings, or bites from insects, such as mosquitoes and spiders.
• Uneven rocky or sandy terrain

The Larimer County Parks & Open Lands Volunteer Program is not obligated to provide a placement, nor are you obligated to accept the position offered. Opportunities for volunteers are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex or age. Larimer County is committed to equality of opportunity.