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The Friends of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (Friends of CAIC) is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to promote avalanche safety in Colorado. The Friends work with the CAIC to promote avalanche safety and education.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is a program within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources tasked with reducing the impact of snow avalanches on recreation, industry, and transportation. The program receives funding from the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado Severance Tax Fund, and cash funding via contracts, grants, and donations, most of which come from the users of the forecasting and educational services. The CAIC depends on a successful fundraising effort in order to carry out its mission.

join the Friends of caic trailhead outreach team on a visit to vail pass

Trailhead Outreach Coordinator - Dillon Ranger District (Summit County)

Dillon Ranger District (Summit County) Trailhead Outreach Coordinator Job Description and Application Directions - Full-time, seasonal position from November 3, 2025, to April 27, 2026

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The Friends of CAIC is seeking a Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator to join our team. This is a full-time, seasonal position from November 3, 2025, to April 27, 2026. The Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator will be responsible for executing the Trailhead Outreach Program throughout the USFS White River National Forest’s Dillon Ranger District (DRD), which is being further developed to provide avalanche information and education, fostering an inclusive culture of safe and responsible winter recreation within the state. With our partners at the USFS and the NFF, this position will continue our trailhead outreach program with a focus on trailheads around Colorado, in and around Summit County. They will also collaborate with Friends of CAIC staff on stewardship and education events.

During the trailhead days, you will provide general information about the CAIC and Friends of CAIC, including where avalanche safety information can be accessed, and how to support the organization through membership, donations, and merchandise purchases. This position requires a strong passion for avalanche safety and the desire to work for an organization that seeks to grow the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s program of avalanche forecasting and education. It’s an opportunity to help expand a program that has a direct impact on the safety of the backcountry community.

This is not an avalanche forecasting position. You will not be teaching classes, traveling in the backcountry, or making snowpack safety judgments as part of your job.

Specific Responsibilities include:
● Set and reach goals, stay engaged and motivated, and communicate effectively while working remotely
● Schedules, maintains calendar, and spends 3/4 days per week (Thursday – Sunday, busy use holidays such as President’s Day Weekend) at different trailheads throughout the state, totalling 75 over the course of the winter
● Tracks and plans for fulfillment of grant obligations across the state
● Collects photos, anecdotes, sponsor product integration evidence, and creates other visit recap content as needed
● Interacts with all user groups during Trailhead events, documenting 2,000+ conversations
● Represent Friends of CAIC and/or deliver avalanche awareness talks at small events as needed
● Work with Friends of CAIC Program Manager to create and manage trailhead materials and physical on-site presence (tents, tables, branding, etc)
● Maintain accurate data, including but not limited to: trailhead contacts, volunteer information, and visit information for program tracking
● Assisting with other events throughout Colorado
● Travel throughout Colorado during the winter months
● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
● 2 years of relevant work experience
● Organized, good at planning, and self-motivated
● Ability to take direction and work independently with minimal supervision
● Enjoy communicating with a variety of user groups both in person and via email
● Comfortable creating positive interactions with a wide variety of user groups
● Valid driver's license and clean driving record
● Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, G Suite
● Must be able to lift 40 pounds
● Interest in the mission of the Friends of CAIC and outdoor/ski industry experience
● Must have taken a level 1 avalanche course (Taken an avalanche rescue course in the past 3 years a plus)
● Must be comfortable driving and working in winter conditions, and should be comfortable attaching and towing trailers
● Based in Colorado (see below)

Working Conditions This is a virtual position as the Friends of CAIC has no central office. You will need to be able to work both independently and collaboratively virtually, thus being comfortable communicating using a variety of modern technologies and web-based platforms. This person is expected to be outside, at trailheads each Thursday/Friday – Sunday around the USFS DRD, and will need to schedule admin work and check-ins with the rest of the team in an organized, documented manner. To manage travel costs and time, the Trailhead Outreach Coordinator will ideally be based in Summit County. Applicants are advised to be familiar with the housing costs and availability in the area before applying.

Compensation
● Pay: $20-$25/hour DOE
● Flexible, remote work schedule
● Company vehicle provided for travel
● Health insurance stipend
● Monthly cell phone reimbursement
● Ski Pass reimbursement
● Opportunity for continuing avalanche education

Anti-Discrimination
Friends of CAIC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and services.Friends of CAIC is consciously and proactively inclusive of all areas of diversity, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age,socioeconomic status, marital status, language, disability, or immigration status.

How to Apply
Interested applicants can send a cover letter and resume in PDF format via email to: info@friendsofcaic.org. Please write “Dillon Trailhead Program Coordinator” in the subject of your email. Applications will be accepted through September 1, 2025. If you are interested in both positions, please indicate in email.

Trailhead Outreach Coordinator - STATEWIDE

 Statewide Trailhead Outreach Coordinator Application and Directions - Full-time, seasonal position from November 3, 2025, to April 27, 2026

The Friends of CAIC is seeking a Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator to join our team. This is a full-time, seasonal position from November 3, 2025, to April 27, 2026. The Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator will be responsible for executing the Trailhead Outreach Program throughout Colorado, which is being further developed to provide avalanche information and education, fostering an inclusive culture of safe and responsible winter recreation within the state. With our partners at the USFS and Rocky Mountain National Park, this position will continue our trailhead outreach program with a focus on trailheads around Colorado, outside of Summit County. They will also collaborate with Friends of CAIC staff on stewardship and education events. 

During the trailhead days, you will provide general information about the CAIC and Friends of CAIC, including where avalanche safety information can be accessed, and how to support the organization through membership, donations, and merchandise purchases. This position requires a strong passion for avalanche safety and the desire to work for an organization that seeks to grow the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s program of avalanche forecasting and education. It’s an opportunity to help expand a program that has a direct impact on the safety of the backcountry community.

This is not an avalanche forecasting position. You will not be teaching classes, traveling in the backcountry, or making snowpack safety judgments as part of your job.

Specific Responsibilities include:
● Set and reach goals, stay engaged and motivated, and communicate effectively while working remotely
● Schedules, maintains calendar, and spends 3/4 days per week (Thursday – Sunday, busy use holidays such as President’s Day Weekend) at different trailheads throughout the state, totalling 75 over the course of the winter
● Tracks and plans for fulfillment of grant obligations across the state
● Collects photos, anecdotes, sponsor product integration evidence, and creates other visit recap content as needed
● Interacts with all user groups during Trailhead events, documenting 2,000+ conversations
● Represent Friends of CAIC and/or deliver avalanche awareness talks at small events as needed
● Work with Friends of CAIC Program Manager to create and manage trailhead materials and physical on-site presence (tents, tables, branding, etc)
● Maintain accurate data, including but not limited to: trailhead contacts, volunteer information, and visit information for program tracking
● Assisting with other events throughout Colorado
● Travel throughout Colorado during the winter months
● Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
● 2 years of relevant work experience
● Organized, good at planning, and self-motivated
● Ability to take direction and work independently with minimal supervision
● Enjoy communicating with a variety of user groups both in person and via email
● Comfortable creating positive interactions with a wide variety of user groups
● Valid driver's license and clean driving record
● Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, G Suite
● Must be able to lift 40 pounds
● Interest in the mission of the Friends of CAIC and outdoor/ski industry experience
● Must have taken a level 1 avalanche course (Taken an avalanche rescue course in the past 3 years a plus)
● Must be comfortable driving and working in winter conditions, and should be comfortable attaching and towing trailers
● Based in Colorado (see below)

Working Conditions:
This is a virtual position as the Friends of CAIC has no central office. You will need to be able to work both independently and collaboratively virtually, thus being comfortable communicating using a variety of modern technologies and web-based platforms. This person is expected to be outside, at trailheads each Thursday/Friday – Sunday around Colorado, and will need to schedule admin work and check-ins with the rest of the team in an organized, documented manner. To manage travel costs and time, the Trailhead Outreach Coordinator will ideally be based within 15 miles of the I70 corridor between Idaho Springs and Avon, or Leadville. Applicants are advised to be familiar with the housing costs and availability in the area before applying.

Compensation
● Pay: $20-$25/hour DOE
● Flexible, remote work schedule
● Company vehicle provided for travel
● Health insurance stipend
● Monthly cell phone reimbursement
● Ski Pass reimbursement
● Opportunity for continuing avalanche education

Anti-Discrimination
Friends of CAIC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and services.Friends of CAIC is consciously and proactively inclusive of all areas of diversity, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age,socioeconomic status, marital status, language, disability, or immigration status.

How to Apply
Interested applicants can send a cover letter and resume in PDF format via email to: info@friendsofcaic.org. Please write “Trailhead Program Coordinator” in the subject of your email. Applications will be accepted through September 1, 2025. If you are interested in both positions, please indicate in email.