Public Access Manager

Job Summary:

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County owns and manages multiple properties which are open to the public with the goal of connecting people to the land. The Public Access Manager identifies and prioritizes public access needs in conjunction with and within the context of the overall land stewardship goals for each property. This primarily office-based position oversees recreational access on properties such as San Vicente Redwoods, Antonelli Pond, Glenwood Open Space Preserve, and Byrne-Milliron Forest and plans and develops future public access projects. This highly collaborative position works extensively with other departments, project partners and external stakeholders to deliver outstanding public access opportunities to the communities the Land Trust serves.

Job Responsibilities:

Partner Engagement and Coordination – 30%

• Act as the primary liaison with partners, neighbors, and other stakeholders for public access properties, including San Vicente Redwoods.
• Manage contracts and agreements with partner organizations and agencies such as City of Scotts Valley, San Lorenzo Valley Water District, and County of Santa Cruz.
• Identify and foster partnerships that further the Land Trust’s strategic plan goals.
• Collaborate with staff and partners in the delivery of the Community Harvest program at Watsonville Slough Farm.
• Deliver presentations, tours, and other experiences to develop and solidify partnerships.

Project Management and Operations – 50%

• Oversee public access on existing Land Trust-managed trail networks.
• Identify, prioritize, and coordinate with field staff to execute public access projects.
• Develop clear scopes of work, solicit bids, and oversee contractors for capital projects and routine work.
• Coordinate and supervise several part-time employees working on public access properties and potentially supervise future staff.
• Develop annual budgets for public access properties in cooperation with the Director of Land Stewardship.
• Design (or coordinate the design of) trail wayfinding systems and interpretive and regulatory signs.
• Continue the development of and oversee a robust site host program.
• Collaborate with the Director of Land Stewardship on how best to balance priorities, costs, and effort.
• Assist with the development of communication strategies to ensure efficient workflows.

Organizational Support – 20%

• Support the External Affairs team in developing funding opportunities and grant proposals.
• Assist the Events Manager and Engagement team in hosting community and member events, occasionally outside of normal business hours, for approximately 40 hours annually.
• Coordinate with the Engagement team to provide content for the Land Trust website and social media.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Job Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience:

• 5+ years of experience working in public access management or parks operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to interact effectively with partners, volunteers, and staff.
• Ability to work with partner organizations and agencies and represent LTSCC in a professional manner.
• Proficient with basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Teams, and Excel), smartphones, and web-based applications and ability to learn new software applications.
• Ability to identify hazards and mitigate risk.
• Experience supervising contractors and working with contractors to develop scope of work documents and budgets.
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate records.
• Possess a Class C driver’s license, proof of insurance and be capable of driving safely in city, rural and 4 wheel-drive conditions.

Preferred Job Knowledge, Skills, Ability & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Proficient with mapping, including basic GIS software and GPS data collection.
• Experience recruiting and hiring staff.
• Knowledge of local ecosystems and management issues.
• A collaborative mindset especially related to managing recreation (hiking, biking, horseback riding, dog walking) to be compatible with natural resource protection and working lands (agriculture, grazing, logging).
• Strong prioritization and time management skills.
• Experience developing signage and interpretive panels and materials.
• Ability to produce written content for members and public communications.
• Experience in coordinating and running meetings.
• Possess an understanding of the conservation of natural, agricultural, cultural, and open space resources and the role of land trusts in that effort.
• Physically capable of performing extended outdoor labor such as digging, reaching, pulling, lifting, and carrying up to 40 pounds of weight in adverse terrain (steep slopes, muddy, heavily vegetated, sandy) in hot or cold temperatures with potential exposure to poison oak, ticks, wasps, and other natural hazards.