Inspiring Hikers to Create Trails for Everyone, Forever

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 hiking and trail maintenance nonprofit. We have a 50-year legacy of engaging the hiking community to ensure Washington’s trails stand the test of time. With more than 27,000 members and an online community of over 300,000 and growing, we are connecting people to the outdoors — from everyday adventures to backcountry explorations. Each year 4,500 WTA volunteers perform over 160,000 hours of trail maintenance across the state. We mobilize hikers as public lands advocates, trail stewards, and on-the-ground experts sharing knowledge with fellow hikers. WTA’s strength is our community and our vision depends on fostering an inclusive organization where everyone feels welcome and represented. Together we can ensure there are trails for everyone, forever.

Position summary

Washington Trails Association is seeking a Multi-Day Trips Program Coordinator who loves working with people and shares our commitment to trail stewardship, volunteerism and building community. The primary responsibility of this position is to plan, coordinate and supervise the adult volunteer vacation program and staff. Additionally, the Program Coordinator works with WTA Staff and land manager partners to coordinate and develop multi-day volunteer opportunities statewide, including our adult volunteer vacation, backcountry response team trips and Lost Trails Found crews as needed. This is a full-time, non-exempt position based in WTA’s downtown Seattle office and reports to the Statewide Trails Program Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Support and Development – 50%

• Serve as process owner and main point of contact for the adult volunteer vacation program, including planning and coordinating statewide trips and annual volunteer vacation calendar.
• Execute an annual project schedule to meet program goals and objectives.
• Assist regional staff with backcountry response team and Lost Trails Found crew planning and coordination in the field as necessary.
• Develop and execute volunteer vacation program goals, curriculum, policies, procedures and statewide trainings.
• Provide content and photos for blogs, social media platforms, magazine articles and other WTA communications.
• Identify, and coordinate volunteer work party projects and plans with WTA staff, Agency and Non-Government Partners, and group/community organizers.

Leadership Development – 40%

• Supervise 1-2 seasonal volunteer vacation crew leaders and provide support to volunteer crew leads throughout the season. 
• Assist the Logistics Coordinator with program deliverables throughout the summer season.
• Assist the Training & Leadership Development Coordinator with volunteer leadership recruitment and mentorship across the state.
• Coordinate leadership, safety and technical training opportunities for crew leaders in coordination with statewide efforts.
• Promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by assisting in trainings and workshops and identifying opportunities to further this work through community involvement.

Volunteer Work Party Leadership – 10%

• Establish a safe, fun and inclusive work environment, both physically and emotionally, for volunteers of diverse ages and backgrounds.
• Train, motivate and lead volunteers to complete a variety of trail projects to established technical standards.
• Manage emergency situations and report incidents following WTA’s emergency response protocols.

Other duties as assigned

Experience, Skills, Knowledge, and Values

Competitive candidates will highlight the following in their application, or express willingness to learn:

• Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission and values on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Prior experience leading participants in an outdoor setting, experience with trail maintenance and building, or comparable restoration or construction experience.
• Experience planning and coordinating complex trail projects with diverse stakeholders and land managers.
• A deep understanding of the experiences and community issues affecting those marginalized in mainstream outdoor opportunities, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and/or LGBTQ+ communities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet program/organization goals, enthusiastic about embracing new challenges.
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail, ability to create efficiencies and build investment in systems.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Experience with Salesforce CRM database is a plus.
• Ability to set priorities, manage a variety of responsibilities and meet deadlines in an ever-changing environment.
• 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, following minimum impact guidelines.
• WFR certification preferred, WFA and CPR certification minimum requirement valid through the duration of employment. WTA can provide WFA/CPR opportunity after hiring.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive trucks on highways and dirt roads.

Location and Schedule

The Multi-Day Trips Program Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt position based in WTA’s Seattle Office and includes occasional evening and backcountry trip support. WTA has a hybrid work model that generally entails at least 2 days of work per week in-person at our Seattle office. Vaccination requirements are in place for WTA staff and volunteers. The work schedule changes depending on the season and programs operating, but the typical schedule is 40 hours a week over 5 days. During the summer season, the Program Coordinator may be assigned to lead adult volunteers in backcountry trail projects for up to five-eight days in length. Some evening work may be required to attend meetings and to assist with staff and volunteer training.

Compensation

Compensation starts at $23.00-$25.00 per hour depending on experience. For multi-day, overnight trips this position is paid a flat trip rate, along with a supplementary per diem rate of $50/day. WTA offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance; retirement plan; and holiday, vacation, parental and sick leave. WTA provides a cell phone, hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses as well as a $200 reimbursement to offset wear and tear on personal gear. A WTA vehicle will be provided for transportation to work parties  however if personal vehicle use is needed, mileage reimbursement will be provided.

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.