Overview

WTA is seeking a self-motivated project manager who is committed to volunteer engagement to join its trail maintenance program. This position manages WTA’s volunteer trail maintenance work with local, state, and federal partners in the central Puget Sound region and collaborates with a statewide team to grow a high-quality, established volunteer program. The position’s primary responsibilities are to develop and oversee execution of trail projects, develop staff and volunteer crew leaders, while maintaining and growing land manager partnerships. The Puget Sound Field Manager is a full-time exempt position based in WTA’s downtown Seattle headquarters that reports to the Field Operations Senior Manager and works closely with the Trail Programs Director.

Puget Sound Field Manager
Compensation: $57,000 – $63,000 annually, full time, exempt
Priority Application Date: This position is open until filled

The Organization

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 state-based hiking and trail maintenance organization, with 25,000-member households, an online community of more than 100,000, and strong public and private partnerships. Powered by hikers for more than 50 years, WTA works to ensure Washington’s trails stand the test of time, connecting people to the outdoors—from everyday adventures to backcountry explorations. We engage our community as public lands advocates, as trail stewards, and as on-the-ground experts sharing knowledge with fellow hikers. Each year, our volunteers contribute more than 160,000 hours to improve hundreds of trails around Washington; one quarter of volunteers are youth. WTA’s strength is in its community and future success depends on fostering an inclusive organization and hiking community, where everyone feels welcome and represented.

Position summary

WTA is seeking a self-motivated project manager who is committed to volunteer engagement to join its trail maintenance program. This position manages WTA’s volunteer trail maintenance work with local, state, and federal partners in the central Puget Sound region and collaborates with a statewide team to grow a high-quality, established volunteer program. The position’s primary responsibilities are to develop and oversee execution of trail projects, develop staff and volunteer crew leaders, while maintaining and growing land manager partnerships.

The Puget Sound Field Manager is a full-time exempt position based in WTA’s downtown Seattle headquarters that reports to the Field Operations Senior Manager and works closely with the Trail Programs Director.

Primary Responsibilities & Qualifications

Trail Project Planning, Execution and Reporting

  • Plans, schedules, and provides oversight to volunteer and staff trail maintenance, repair and construction projects in the central Puget Sound region. Some crew leading may occur based on need.
  • Regularly shares project progress and results, including volunteer stories and photos, with program staff and other colleagues for internal and external reporting, volunteer recruitment and appreciation, and WTA outreach and promotion.
  • Ensures effective maintenance and management of tools and supplies for the Puget Sound region.

Leadership Development

  • Manages 3 regular full time employees (Puget Sound Coordinators) and 2 seasonal crew leader employees.
  • Develops and recruits volunteer leaders in the Puget Sound region.
  • Coordinates leadership, safety and technical training opportunities for Puget Sound crew leaders in coordination with statewide efforts.
  • Actively participates in team and cross-programmatic meetings.
  • Report incidences and provide volunteers and staff with direct feedback for behavior, injuries, equipment damage or exclusion incidents as they occur.

Agency and Community Relations

  • Proactively maintains mutually beneficial, cordial working relationships with representatives of land manager partners including the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, King County Parks, DNR, Washington State Parks and other Puget Sound-area jurisdictions.
  • Coordinates closely with land managers to ensure successful trail project planning and execution.
  • Ensures appropriate tracking and reporting of volunteer hours, expenses, staff time and other program information for grants and cooperative agreements.
  • Helps renew existing grants and agreements, and establish new funding sources for trail projects.
  • Develops and maintains relationships with other stakeholders for trail projects, including community-based groups and user groups such as mountain bikers and equestrians with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
  • Represents WTA in priority trail planning efforts and other regional trail issues in coordination with WTA’s advocacy staff.

Job Skills and Experience: Required

  • Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission and values on diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Demonstrated skills in train maintenance and construction.
  • Ability to accept and integrate feedback graciously, and give effective feedback to team members.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and as a member of a dynamic team.
  • 3+ years of program/project management experience or equivalent, preferably related to trail maintenance, volunteer engagement, environmental restoration or education, or outdoor recreation.
  • Excellent communication skills (written and interpersonal).
  • Solid judgment and ability to remain calm and manage emergency situations.
  • Demonstrated ability to organize and manage a variety of responsibilities, set priorities and meet deadlines with excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to work in an outdoor environment including hiking and backpacking over steep, uneven terrain and participate in trail maintenance activities using heavy hand tools.
  • Wilderness First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to receive upon hire).
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle (WTA provides mileage reimbursement).

Job Skills and Experience: Preferred

  • Cultural competency experience and demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
  • Experience working with the Salesforce CRM database.
  • Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Schedule

This position is based out of our downtown Seattle office with regular field responsibilities on local, state and federal lands throughout King and Snohomish County. Schedule will include regular weekend work and occasional evenings. The position may lead occasional backcountry projects up to one week in length.

Compensation

Annual salary range is $57,000-$63,000. Salary depends on experience with benefit package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, transportation, and holiday, vacation and sick leave.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

WTA is committed to advancing equity and continually working to become a more inclusive organization. We believe WTA, and Washington’s hiking community, is made better by people with varied backgrounds, identities, abilities and lived experience. People of color and others with identities that are underrepresented in the outdoor industry (including but not limited to: gender identity, class, socioeconomic status, conviction history, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background) are strongly encouraged to apply.

WTA does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, color, gender identity, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

To apply: submit a resume and a brief cover letter describing professional and personal experience relevant to the position to jobs@wta.org. Include “Puget Sound Field Manager” in the subject line. This position is open until filled. If you have any questions, please contact jobs@wta.org. View other available jobs at www.wta.org/jobs.