Hiking Safety Sweep Lead

Position Summary

The Safety Sweep Lead is responsible for environmental risk assessment and field safety oversight during all ForestRx™ trail-based programming. This role ensures that forested terrain remains a controlled, regulation-supportive environment through proactive hazard identification, environmental monitoring, and calm, competent field response.

This is not a symbolic or support role. The Safety Sweep Lead is the designated environmental authority during field operations.

The position requires a deeply nature-literate professional who is comfortable in rugged outdoor settings, confident around wildlife, and skilled at identifying and mitigating environmental risks before they affect participants.

Core Responsibilities

Environmental Hazard Identification

• Conduct pre-hike and ongoing trail sweeps to identify:

  • Poison ivy, poison oak, and other irritant vegetation

  • Venomous and non-venomous snakes

  • Insect hazards (wasps, fire ants, ticks)

  • Unstable terrain, erosion, exposed roots, loose rock

  • Weather-related risks (heat index, lightning conditions)

• Adjust trail route or pacing based on real-time environmental conditions

Wildlife Awareness & Management

• Maintain situational awareness of wildlife activity

• Safely redirect participants when wildlife is present

• Serve as the primary responder if removal or containment of small wildlife is required

• Remain calm and directive in wildlife encounters

Participant Safety Oversight

• Maintain visual sweep coverage during trail progression

• Monitor hydration, heat exposure, and fatigue indicators

• Support emergency response procedures if required

• Carry and maintain field safety kit

Risk Prevention & Documentation

• Complete environmental risk logs

• Report hazards requiring long-term mitigation

• Contribute to continuous safety protocol refinement

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated comfort in wooded / trail-based environments

• Strong identification knowledge of regional flora and fauna

• Ability to remain calm and decisive in outdoor hazard scenarios

• Physically capable of hiking uneven terrain for 4-8 miles

• Heat-tolerant and weather-adaptable

• CPR / First Aid certified (Wilderness First Aid preferred)

• High situational awareness and strong observational skills

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is:

• Deeply at ease in natural environments

• Unflappable around snakes and insects

• Comfortable handling the unexpected without dramatizing it

• Observant without being alarmist

• Directive without being authoritarian

• Steady under pressure

• Protective without being reactive

This person does not seek adrenaline.
They create calm.

What This Role Is Not

• Not a therapy position

• Not a coaching role

• Not a symbolic “nature guide”

• Not a volunteer trail buddy

This is a field safety position embedded within a structured capacity restoration model.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Executive Director
Works in coordination with: ForestRx™ Facilitator

Schedule and Compensation

• 6 weeks (April 11-May 16)

• Saturdays, between 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Part-time: 2-4 hours per week

• Contract / 1099 (not eligible for benefits)

• $21-25 per hour (DOE)

Why This Role Matters

Forested terrain functions as a controlled training ground for physiological capacity restoration. The Safety Sweep Lead ensures that the terrain remains challenging but not threatening, allowing participants to experience stress without danger.

This role protects both participant dignity and program integrity.