Trails Coordinator

~ Lands within Montana’s Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Powell and Broadwater counties have undergone significant change during the past 20 years. Much of the predominantly rural land immediately surrounding the city of Helena has been converted from open space. As the population has increased, recreational opportunities, uninterrupted views and open lands have diminished and access to open lands, both public and private, has been closed off. ~

Prickly Pear Land Trust is committed to the belief that open space is essential to the well-being of all communities. Spacious views, abundant wildlife, and recreational opportunities renew and revitalize our spirits. Maintaining traditional agricultural lands preserves Montana’s cultural heritage. At Prickly Pear Land Trust, we seek to preserve and protect the rural character of the Prickly Pear Valley and adjoining lands in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater and Powell counties through voluntary and cooperative means. Further, we strive to connect people to their natural surroundings though trails and access to public lands.

Position Overview

The Trails Coordinator is responsible for leading PPLT’s trail program. Coordinating and planning project development, volunteer outreach and agency coordination. The job entails building partnerships with landowners and land management agencies as well as oversight of PPLT volunteer trail work program.

Basic Conditions of Employment

Form the fundamental performance requirements for continued employment. All employees are ambassadors of the organization and are expected to support and fulfill the mission of the organization. All employees, regardless of job title, must demonstrate the following minimum requirements for continued employment. In addition, it is the employee’s responsibility to read, understand and comply with all policies and procedures.

Client/Partner Relationships:

• Be able to identify key client and partner groups and assess service needs.
• Strive toward meeting their needs in a caring, efficient and cost effective manner.

Quality:

• Comply with established requirements for job performance methods, procedures and standards.

Professional Conduct:

• Comply with established employment polices and practices.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, member/contributor and employee information.
• Accept direction and provide direction in a cooperative and positive manner.

Personal Conduct:

• Engage in personal conduct that is honest, respectful, courteous, and dignified as well as legal, ethical, dependable and reliable.
• Demonstrate appropriate dress and personal hygiene.

Competency:

• Develop and maintain skills, knowledge and abilities required for adequate performance of assigned job duties.
• Participate in continuing professional education.

Responsibilities

Trail Program:

• Lead PPLT’s efforts and shape PPLT’s role in regional trail projects.
• Lead PPLT’s trail committee: following on 2017 committee workplan and/or goals.
• Manage digital/GIS database of projects and future needs for South Hills.
• Expand and grow trail ambassadorship and partnerships in the PPLT service area.
• Identify and develop new funding partners for trail activities.
• Trail education. Lead communication efforts to advance trail etiquette, history, needs (City needs, PPLT, USFS, etc).
• Hire and manage seasonal trail staff.
• Prepare and manage Trails Program work plan and budget.
• Maintain and develop current trail building and maintenance standards and expertise.

Trail Planning:

• In coordination with agency partners, develop long range and annual work plans for the South Hills system and other trail systems in PPLT’s service area.
• Manage and identify trail equipment inventory and needs.
• Serve as PPLT’s liaison to local groups, state and federal agencies with respect to trail projects, management planning, and funding.
• Negotiate contracts and resource allocations for trail projects, and for program funding for broader trail coordination and leadership.

Volunteer Trail Work Coordination:

• Contract with Montana Conservation Corps and other groups for work crews as needed.
• Design and coordinate trail projects for community trail events.
• Improve volunteer tracking system.

Outreach and Publicity:

• Work with PPLT Communication contact to engage media, write press releases, and provide information to media outlets relative to trail projects.

PPLT Staff Expectations:

• Attend Weekly Staff Meetings and monthly board meetings.
• Understand and implement the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices and PPLT’s Land Trust Accreditation requirements.

Other Requirements: 

• Travel to meetings; some with overnight stays.
• Evening and weekend work times will be necessary for meetings and trail work events.
• Willingness to seek out and pursue additional projects in support of regional trail development or management.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements for the position include 3 years demonstrated experience with a land trust or in conservation related field.
• Knowledge of and ability to communicate information regarding trail design and construction techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal skills; good interpersonal skills and desire to work with people from a variety of social, economic and political backgrounds; ability to work with word processing software programs.
• Natural resource degree helpful.
• Familiarity with the culture, heritage and geography of PPLT’s service area a plus.
• Documented experience of commitment and passion for land conservation and/or recreation preferred.
• The ability to work under tremendous pressure and tight deadlines with a sense of humor and adventure is advantageous.
• Experience with ArcMap, GPS units, and other useful software a plus.
• Prior leadership experience preferred.
• Past experience working with local, state, and federal agencies as well as with grant writing and grant management a plus.

Compensation: Salary/compensation DOE.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply" to upload a cover letter, resume and references in pdf format to Claudia Davis, by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 17.

The position will remain open until filled. Questions about this opportunity or application process may be directed to Claudia Davis via email, or by calling the Prickly Pear Land Trust office at 406-442-0490. Thank you for your interest!