Historic Trail Preservation Fellow

Position Title: Historic Trail Preservation Fellow

Location: Negotiable. Must be in proximity to the Santa Fe National Historic Trail (Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, or New Mexico)

• Missouri: Kansas City, Independence, Lexington, Franklin (historical eastern terminus).
• Kansas: Olathe, Topeka, Council Grove, Great Bend, Dodge City, Garden City.
• Colorado: La Junta, ⁠Las Animas, Trinidad.
• Oklahoma: Boise City.
• New Mexico: Raton, Las Vegas, Pecos, Santa Fe.

The majority of work for this position will be conducted remotely with scheduled in-person meetings occurring periodically. Extensive travel will be required along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and within the five trail states of MO, KS, OK, NM and CO.

Status: Full Time, Temporary, Exempt

Duration: 1 Year Fellowship from Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2027

Position Summary:

The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is a nonprofit that connects member not-for-profit trail organizations and Federal agency partners to further the protection, completion, and stewardship of the 32 National Scenic and Historic Trails within the National Trails System. The purpose of PNTS is to promote and support the efforts of National Scenic and Historic Trail organizations, to secure public and private resources and to serve as a collective voice for policy and action that supports National Scenic and Historic Trails. We envision a thriving National Trails System that connects people and landscapes, commemorates diverse stories, and assures extraordinary experiences for all, now and in the future.

As part of fulfilling this mission and purpose, PNTS is hiring a Historic Trail Preservation Fellow to support capacity building and implementation of strategic priorities with the Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA). SFTA is the primary nonprofit organization for the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. SFTA’s mission is to protect and preserve the Santa Fe Trail and to promote awareness of the historical legacy associated with it. In recent years, a multitude of development projects, such as data centers and telecommunication towers, have been proposed that impact and threaten the purpose, experience and enjoyment of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail (SFNHT). 

The Historic Trail Preservation Fellow will work closely with SFTA leadership and volunteers to research and monitor these potential threats to the trail including collecting information about each proposed or ongoing development project, communicating with the developers and SFTA chapter members, obtaining digital geographic files and plotting them on a National Historic Trail project mapping application. The Fellow will also conduct outreach, communicate and coordinate with community officials and governing entities, Historic Preservation Officers, landowners and SFTA volunteers. This work will be essential to understanding the full impacts of each development project and provide necessary data to cultural resources contractors who will be able to more accurately plot the location of development projects in proximity to the trail and understand the impacts to high potential segments and associated sites along the trail. The Fellow’s work will provide the needed capacity to increase the assessment of possible impacts to the SFNHT and the ability to avoid adverse effects proactively during the planning and consultation process. 

This Fellowship position is for individuals that want to make an impact in historic preservation and trail protection as well as build skills in research, data analysis, communication with diverse stakeholders and partners, community education and engagement, and nonprofit management. There may also be opportunities for the Fellow to develop skills in social media, development, and fundraising.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research the status of known projects and the potential for new developments in proximity to the trail in each state.
• Coordinate with the National Park Service National Historic Trail Office to learn about their mapping application and understand where high potential sites and segments along the SFNHT are located.
• Communicate with developers and SFTA chapter members to understand impacts and propose mitigation strategies.
• Obtain digital geographic files and plot data within the SFTA project mapping application.
• Work with SFTA Preservation Committee members to collect information about the individual projects that they have been tracking.
• Develop a metadata spreadsheet and fill in data about existing development projects.
• Identify and initiate communication with points of contact for individual development projects.
• Coordinate with the State Historic Preservation Offices in each state to compare SFTA information with state cultural resources compliance information.
• Assist in developing standardized approaches to viewshed analysis to update trail-wide policies.
• Work with SFTA to expand community outreach and education by assisting with community gatherings and educational workshops.
• As time permits, enhance social media presence and content, assist in development of educational curricula, and assist with fundraising and development.
• Attend PNTS virtual training and networking events.

Qualifications and Preferred Skills:

• Undergraduate degree in geography, historic preservation, GIS or a closely related field.
• Knowledge and experience with geography, GIS, mapping, and data collection and analysis.
• A valid driver’s license and ability to drive to points along the SFNHT
• Enthusiasm and strong interest in preserving and protecting history and trails.
• Experience with research, education, and public engagement.
• Confidence conducting outreach and communicating with partners, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (in particular Word and Excel)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and possess the ability to work with partners of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel to SFTA events.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ability to meet deadlines.

Desirable Skills:

• Familiarity with cultural resources and cultural resources management principles
• Knowledge of or understanding of a variety of energy projects/threats
• Knowledge of the National Trails System and National Trails System Act, or the ability to research and learn about these topics.
• Experience working with diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Experience working with non-profit organizations.
• Experience with photography.
• Understanding of how to use Google Earth.
• Understanding of social media platforms.
• Basic understanding of AI which may be used to enhance this project.

Supervision and Work Environment:

The Historic Trail Preservation Fellow will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director at the Santa Fe Trail Association. The Fellow will receive assistance and support from SFTA’s President and the Preservation Committee co-chairs. Meetings with project supervisor, Lexi Ray, SFTA’s Executive Director, and other SFTA volunteers will be scheduled both virtually and in-person. A majority of the work will need to be done remotely from a home office and self-directed following a “scope and sequence” as developed by the SFTA. 40 hours a week is the minimum expectation with days/hours flexible and ability to be adjusted relevant to work and meeting scheduled. 

There will be extensive travel, primarily by a privately owned vehicle along the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and within the five-trail states of MO, KS, OK, NM, and CO.

The Fellow’s work will be overseen and supported by the Partnership for the National Trail System’s Program Manager. 

Additional Position Details

Orientation and introduction to duties with the SFTA will begin on October 1 at an agreed upon location. During this meeting, a process for progress reports will be developed. Within the first 4-6 weeks of the position, the Fellow will meet with the National Park Service’s National Trails Office in Santa Fe, NM to get background on the viewshed analysis, mapping, and high potential sites and segments. Along with this meeting in Santa Fe, there will be time to visit actual trail sites. The Fellow will also meet with trail chapter presidents to learn about the zoning/planning departments that they work with, as well as the known projects in their area. The Executive Director will accompany the Fellow in meetings with chapter leaders. 

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary: $40,000 for 1 year Fellowship
• $3,600 healthcare and home office stipend
• Educational opportunities including training in advocacy and policy, effective communications, and trail protection
• Opportunities to connect with a broad network of public lands and historic preservation professionals
• Opportunity to travel to SFTA and PNTS events
• 11 paid holidays per year and paid sick leave

EOE Statement: The Partnership for the National Trails System provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or other protected status.