Compensation: $20.00- $21.25 per hour, depending on experience, plus benefits
Priority Application Date: March 7, 2021
The Organization
Washington Trails Association (WTA) is the nation’s largest state-based hiking and trail maintenance organization, with 15,000-member households, an online community of more than 100,000. 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. 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
Washington Trails Association is seeking a Puget Sound Trails Coordinator who loves working with people and shares our commitment to trail stewardship, volunteerism and building community. The Trails Coordinator works outdoors leading volunteers in building and maintaining trails on public lands and assists in other efforts to engage hikers in WTA’s work. The primary responsibility of this position is to lead one-day and multi-day work parties in the Puget Sound region of Washington, while also ensuring the growth of the Trail Maintenance program by working to build relationships with local Land Managers and other stakeholders. This is a year-round, non-exempt position based in WTA’s Puget Sound regional office that reports to the Puget Sound Field Manager.
Primary Responsibilities & Qualifications Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Project Coordination and Planning
● Coordinate work party projects and plans with the Puget Sound Field Manager, Agency and NonGovernment Partners
● Assist the Puget Sound Field Manager in identifying appropriate volunteer trail projects – including site visits, scouting, and meeting with agency partners to assess project feasibility
● Execute an annual project schedule to meet program goals and objectives Leading and Training During Volunteer Work Parties
● Ensure physical and emotional safety for a volunteer crew of diverse ages and backgrounds
● Arrive at each volunteer event with tools, refreshments and a work plan
● Establish a safe, fun and inclusive working environment for a crew of volunteers of diverse ages and backgrounds
● Train, motivate and lead volunteers to complete a variety of trail projects including annual maintenance, repairs and new construction – may require development of existing trainings or creation of new technical trainings to meet program goals
● Ensure all technical work is to standard – including tread construction, drainage structures, and construction of steps, turnpike and puncheon
● Manage emergency situations following WTA’s emergency response protocols
● Positively represent WTA mission, programs and membership in all interactions with volunteers, trail users and others
Documenting Work Parties
● Ensure safety talk is delivered to volunteers and documented
● Maintain and submit Sign-in and Liability Release for volunteers in a timely manner
● Prepare and submit summary report and thank you email to volunteers for each work party in a timely manner
● Report all incidents affecting the safety, health, and well-being of volunteers in a timely manner
● Provide digital photo documentation of project progress and volunteer engagement
● Identify and share with communications team potential volunteer or regional trail stories that highlight WTA’s mission and work in the area
Community Engagement
● Assist outreach efforts to engage hikers, volunteers and community groups in WTA’s mission, programs and membership
● Represent WTA at community and Land Manager events in the Puget Sound region
● Cultivate new partnerships with organizations that serve under-represented populations to engage them in WTA’s Trail Maintenance programs
● Coordinate community engagement efforts with the Puget Sound Field Manager and communications/outreach staff
● Positively represent WTA mission, programs and membership in all interactions with volunteers, trail users and others. Promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by assisting in trainings and workshops and identifying opportunities to further this work through community involvement
● Participate in after office hour community events like roundtables, online trainings, and volunteer appreciation events
Job Skills and Experience: Required
● Ability to create a crew community where every member feels included and valued
● Demonstrated skills in trail maintenance and building
● Ability to effectively manage emergency situations
● Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission and values on diversity, equity and inclusion
● Ability to accept and integrate feedback graciously, and give effective feedback to team members
● Ability to work in an outdoor environment, including hiking and backpacking up to 6 miles daily in a variety of terrain, and follow minimum impact guidelines
● WFR certification preferred, WFA and CPR certification minimum requirement valid through the duration of employment (may attain prior to start date)
● Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a truck on highways and dirt roads
● Ability to work weekends and 10-hour days
● Reliable internet and printer access (library and other public access is fine) for work party planning and documentation
Job Skills and Experience: Preferred
● Cultural competency and demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds
● Demonstrated experience leading a team in an outdoor setting
Schedule
The work schedule will be variable but the typical schedule is 30-40 hours a week over 4 or 5 days including 2-3 trail work parties per week. As a general rule, work parties will occur between Thursday and Sunday; work party-related communication, office work and outreach events, as well as documentation of activities may occur outside of these days. Several times during the season the crew leader may be assigned to lead volunteers in backcountry trail projects up to five days in length. Some evening work may be required to attend meetings and to assist with off-hours volunteer trainings.
Compensation
Compensation starts at $20.00- $21.25 per hour. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance; retirement plan; and holiday, vacation and sick leave. A supplementary per diem rate of $50/day will be provided for multi-day backcountry trips. WTA provides a cell phone, hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses. WTA does not provide boots, clothing or other personal outdoor and backpacking gear required for fieldwork, but does provide a $100 reimbursement to offset wear and tear on personal gear.
A WTA vehicle will be provided for transportation to work parties. Reimbursement will be provided for Crew Leaders who use a personal vehicle to fulfill program needs, unless commuting to/from base of operations.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
WTA is committed to advancing equity through our work and to becoming a more inclusive organization. People of color and others with underrepresented identities (including but not limited to: gender identity, class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Washington Trails Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic protected by 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 Trails Coordinator” in subject line. If there are other open positions you would like to apply for, include this information in the body of the email, with a rank of position preferences if applicable. The position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by March 7, 2021. Interviews will take place by the end of March. Finalists may be asked to submit to a Washington State background check. If you have any questions, please contact jobs@wta.org. View other available jobs at www.wta.org/jobs.