Operations Manager

The Great Redwood Trail Agency is a public agency formed in 2022 to develop and manage the Great Redwood Trail in Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt counties. We are looking for an Operations Manager to develop systems to maintain our landholdings and infrastructure, manage property agreements and maintain and operate future trail segments as they open to the public.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for a systems thinker with experience working with public agencies on the north coast, who approaches challenges with curiosity and enjoys working collaboratively to implement sustainable solutions. A tech-savvy, self-motivated, independent professional with experience working in a remote team. Must have experience with fiscal management, budget creation, contract negotiation, real property transactions and project management in the public sector.

What is the Great Redwood Trail Agency?

The Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) is a public agency formed in 2022 to develop and manage the Great Redwood Trail (GRT) in Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt counties. As a newly formed agency, we are transitioning from the former North Coast Railroad Authority into a robust and nimble agency that will oversee the development of over 200 miles of world-class recreational trail.

Organizational Environment

We are a small, growing agency that operates remotely, with extensive fieldwork along the former railroad right-of-way in Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt counties. The agency is in the beginning stages of development, creating a strong organizational foundation from which to carry out the vision of the GRT. We work with State Coastal Conservancy staff and a team of consultants who are knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate about the GRT.

Operations Manager Position

The Operations Manager serves as the primary staff person that oversees the maintenance and operations of GRTA’s property and right-of-way. This position reports to the Executive Director and involves collaboration with internal and partner agency staff, consultants, contractors, businesses, adjacent landowners, California Native American tribes, public agencies, nonprofits, and community groups. Over time, as the GRTA structure is established and new trail segments open to the public, this position may transition from developing and implementing property management, maintenance, and operations systems to operating and managing sections of the GRT.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary range $95,000 – $105,000/year, DOE
• Exempt, salaried position
• CalPERS retirement
• $1,000/month toward medical, dental and vision coverage

Job Requirements

• Must be able to readily commute to and physically access GRTA land holdings in Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt counties to oversee maintenance and operations and collaborate with our licensees, lessees, neighbors, contractors, utilities, and various California Native American tribes, public agencies and community groups.
• Dedicated office space from which to work remotely (computer and office equipment provided).
• Access to a personal vehicle for work-related travel, reimbursed at the Federal IRS rate.

Job Duties

• Develop and implement management systems related to GRTA property and right-of way management, including maintenance and monitoring of license and lease agreements for right-of-way use.
  • Create an internal tracking system for overall management of GRTA property and associated costs and accounts receivable.
  • Develop short- and long-range plans and budgets and funding streams for prioritization of maintenance, operations, and capital improvement projects.
  • Complete property title research using railroad valuation maps, county parcel data, and digital mapping services such as ParcelQuest and county assessor GIS and record-keeping systems.
• Conduct regular and strategic inspections of sections of GRTA’s ~230 miles of right-of way in Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt counties to understand maintenance and operational needs and manage work being completed by staff and contractors.
  • Identify unpermitted encroachments and, as appropriate, work in collaboration with staff, occupants and public agencies to regain control over GRTA property and prevent unauthorized use.
  • Work with engineering staff to create a regular maintenance and repair schedule for infrastructure such as bridges, trestles, tunnels and water conveyance features such as culverts.
  • Create an inventory of equipment and supplies; implement a system to track locations for efficient staging of materials needed for operations and maintenance tasks.
• Manage contracts with private entities who have agreements for the use of GRTA property; develop and oversee contracts with vendors for maintenance, vegetation management, and other property-related services.
• Develop long-term relationships with municipalities, California Native American tribes, adjacent property owners, community members, trail users, businesses, law enforcement, emergency service providers, trail advocacy groups, and other partners to collaborate on maintenance and trail operations. Manage maintenance tasks assigned to contractors, volunteers and/or internal staff.
• Assist with obtaining funding for property clean-up and maintenance and manage associated grants.
• Regularly attend GRTA board meetings and provide written staff memos and oral presentations related to current projects and systems that are being created and implemented

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Managerial experience that demonstrates successful organizational leadership, clear communication, sound collaboration and decision-making, teamwork, and success in a remote work environment.
• Ability to prioritize, coordinate and complete tasks using independent judgment, accuracy, and speed.
• Financial management, including processing, tracking and reconciling property related expenditures, invoicing licensees according to contract terms; budget and workplan creation and management.
• Ability to create efficient tracking systems to effectively oversee multiple projects with different funding sources and different performance periods.
• Experience with contract development, negotiation, and management.
• Experience developing, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures.
• Ability to create or refine organizational systems related to property management, including the ability to analyze each unique situation and apply a variety of organizational policies and procedures.
• Understanding of government processes, public agency budgeting and accounting principles and practices. Prior experience working in or with public agencies. ·
• Proficiency in the use of Office 365, Zoom, Teams, QuickBooks, ArcGIS, Word, Excel, and other cloud-based software systems used in remote work environments.
• Ability to learn new technology, software, office systems and emerging collaborative mapping tools.
• Ability to read and create maps and utilize them to communicate a story about GRTA property, operational structures, and systems for maintenance and property management.
• Ability to collaborate with a variety of partners to achieve mutual goals. Effective and professional communication, both orally and in writing, to convey messages to different groups of people.
• Ability to think creatively to carry out our agency’s vision in alignment with partner agency goals and objectives.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in a responsible manner with political astuteness, tact, and diplomacy.
• Experience with an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and encouraged.
• Experience and commitment to creating a culture of learning and growth for all employees, where new challenges are welcomed, and the work product improves from a desire to learn and grow as new ideas and new work processes are created to support the GRTA.

Working Conditions

• Significant work on a computer up to 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday from your home office.
• Travel is required throughout California for meetings, training, and site visits, with overnight stays necessary on occasion.
• Work hours may vary and include weekends and evenings when needed. Work environment may involve some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which will require following basic safety precautions.
• Work environment may involve a range of climatic and physical conditions such as exposure to rain, heat, cold, fumes, dust, air contaminants, stinging insects, poison oak, and rattlesnakes.
• Work activities may require working in challenging situations with project partners, grantees, or members of the public.
• May need to work around water or ambulate on uneven and/or slippery surfaces.
• May need to stoop, bend, reach, lift, twist, turn, kneel, squat, grasp, or lift-up to 15 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Great Redwood Trail Agency is an equal opportunity employer in all aspects of employment, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, and all other legally protected categories.