Associate Director of Volunteer Programs

Are you passionate about connecting people to the outdoors? The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is looking for someone with volunteer management experience to join our team as an Associate Director of Volunteer Programs.

The Associate Director of Volunteer Programs supports the Pacific Crest Trail’s volunteer programs through existing initiatives and the development of new strategies and systems to achieve program and organizational goals. PCTA annually engages more than 2,000 volunteers and corps members. This position works collaboratively with volunteers, corps crews, agency, and non-profit partners, and staff to foster and support an effective working partnership for the overall volunteer program with a goal of developing and sustaining a racially diverse, inclusive, and equitable volunteer community. In addition, they ensure proactive communication, input, and collaborative problem-solving.

This Position:

• Implement the overall volunteer program vision in collaboration with staff, with an eye toward developing and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable volunteer community
• Oversee volunteer-related database to maintain accurate, up-to-date data. Utilize the system to monitor volunteer and corps crew engagement, training, and recognition, analyze trends, track projects, and compile reports
• Manage the overall volunteer and corps crew program policies, procedures, and guidelines by regularly reviewing and assessing PCTA and agency requirements, including volunteer code of conduct, position descriptions, agreements, risk assessments and management, and civil rights compliance
• Work with staff and volunteer and corps leaders to address behavioral and safety incidents involving volunteers, including processing, tracking, documenting, leading the review of safety incidents, and developing lessons learned
• Stay up-to-date with the latest management practices for volunteers and corps crews and incorporate new policies and procedures into operations through effective training and communication strategies to continually improve the volunteer experience and program
• Develop systems and opportunities for volunteers and corps members to assist with PCTA’s work beyond trail maintenance
• Support Volunteer Training Coordinator in addressing the safety and training needs of volunteers
• Support Volunteer Engagement Associate to deliver communications that recruit, inform, and empower volunteers to cultivate lasting relationships.
• Manage volunteer opportunities with special considerations, such as international volunteers, positions requiring background checks, volunteers needing special accommodation, and youth participation
• Attend volunteer and agency meetings, events, training, trail work projects, and agency partner meetings to build relationships

Note: See full job description on our website at: https://www.pcta.org/about-us/jobs/

What Makes You a Great Fit for this Position?

• Minimum of five years of experience in a field that includes relationship building, such as volunteer management, fundraising, sales, customer service, or client management
• Minimum one year of experience in volunteer management
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion values
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills
• Strong ability to provide attention to detail
• Strong ability to build relationships with people with diverse backgrounds
• Ability to interact well with a broad range of people of all levels within and outside the organization
• Ability to communicate with diverse audiences both verbally and in writing
• Ability to problem-solve and meet multiple deadlines
• High degree of initiative and a team player

Typical Working Conditions and Travel:

The Associate Director works from PCTA’s headquarters, currently located in Sacramento, California, or from a remote home office in California, Oregon, or Washington near a major airport. Most duties are performed in an office. Some travel is required to build relationships with volunteers and partners; this includes overnight trips by airplane, train, or car to attend meetings, events, training, and occasional trail work projects. If working remotely, occasional travel is required to the Sacramento office to attend in-person meetings, events and conduct other work. PCTA covers travel costs.

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range is $63,000-75,000. Starting salary is dependent on the level of experience. 

Benefits package:

• Full benefits package, including medical and mental health coverage
• Paid life and long-term disability
• Paid time off, including 12 holidays
• Flexible and generous time-off guidelines
• 2 weeks vacation (amount increases with length of service)
• 12 sick days per year
• 2 hours of weekly wellness time
• 5 days of paid personal time to enjoy the PCT
• Eligible for 401(k) plan after one year of employment
• Fun, friendly work atmosphere
• Flexible work location and schedule
• Discounts on many outdoor industry brands
• Annual budget for professional development  

To Apply:

• Please lick "Apply" below to email a resume and letter of interest with the subject line “Associate Director of Volunteer Programs.”
• The letter of interest should be no longer than two pages and explain why you are interested in this position. Please include your name in each document (i.e., “jsmith resume,” “jsmith references”). Interviews will be held in early October with a negotiable start date in October or November.
• The deadline to apply is September 21.
  • A full job description for this position and more information about Pacific Crest Trail Association is available at www.pcta.org. For questions, contact Jennifer Tripp at 916-243-9923.

About the Pacific Crest Trail and the PCTA:

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. One of America’s National Scenic Trails, the PCT reveals the beauty of the desert, the glaciated expanses of the Sierra Nevada, and the deep forests and commanding vistas of the Cascade Range.

The mission of the PCTA is to protect, preserve and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as a world-class experience for hikers and equestrians and for all the values provided by wild and scenic lands. PCTA’s many stakeholders include hikers, equestrians, volunteers, members, donors, trail communities, public land managers, and many other partners. Our dedicated team includes 33 staff members and ten current board members.

A note on equity: Systemic inequities have caused many women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people to apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If you don’t have all of the qualifications listed here but are extremely organized, passionate about our mission, and believe you have applicable and transferable skills, we encourage you to apply.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

PCTA acknowledges systemic racism and other social injustices and their impact on the PCT community. We have begun the journey of understanding racism and injustice and their impacts on people of color and others. We are committed to making change within our organization and to supporting change within the PCT community towards a more just and equitable future. See our website for more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

PCTA is an equal opportunity provider.