Saw Program Manager (Roanoke, VA)

Organizational Mission:

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Position Summary

The Saw Program Manager reports to the Senior Trail Operations Manager and leads the trailwide (Georgia–Maine) administration of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) sawyer safety program. This role is responsible for overseeing training, certification, compliance, and program integrity related to chain and crosscut saw operations across the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

The Saw Program Manager ensures alignment with federal standards, including USDA Forest Service policy (FSM 2358) and National Park Service (NPS) requirements, while maintaining a consistent, high-quality program across staff and volunteer populations.

In close partnership with ATC staff, A.T. maintaining clubs, federal agency partners, and contractors, this role drives program delivery, strengthens safety practices, and advances a standardized, trail wide approach to sawyer training and certification. The position plays a critical role in upholding ATC’s commitment to safety, operational excellence, and stewardship of the Appalachian Trail.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and oversight of ATC’s saw program, ensuring alignment with USDA Forest Service and NPS standards, maintaining cooperator status, and communicating policy, safety updates, and guidance across staff and partners.
• Direct saw training program delivery, including instructor engagement, site selection, participant readiness, and overall training quality, ensuring consistency across regions.
• Oversee training operations and systems, managing registration, communications, and reporting through Salesforce while ensuring data accuracy, compliance, and a seamless participant experience.
• Manage sawyer certification processes and records across USFS and ATC systems, ensuring proper documentation, timely certification distribution, and alignment with designated certifying officials.
• Partner with regional staff, agency personnel, and A.T. clubs to support volunteer engagement, strengthen program understanding, and facilitate coordinator development.
• Facilitate stakeholder alignment through regular communications and meetings with staff, volunteers, instructors, and partners to support program effectiveness.
• Administer program resources, including contractor agreements, PPE inventory and distribution, and First Aid/CPR reimbursements, ensuring efficient and compliant operations.
• Develop and manage the program budget and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring resources and processes align with program needs and evolving requirements.
• Evaluate and advance program growth opportunities, including development of safety training offerings beyond the Cooperative Management System (CMS) and associated revenue models.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support saw skill development opportunities and field evaluation sites aligned with land management priorities.
• Coordinate saw strike team deployment and program response efforts following natural disasters or emergency events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3-5 years of professional experience in outdoor recreation, resource management, or forestry.
• Familiarity with USFS and/or NPS saw policy and programs highly preferred; current or past sawyer certification preferred. If needed, saw training, evaluation and certification or recert can be provided by ATC.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies to ensure organizational compliance and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated strength in collaborating with diverse stakeholders and fostering positive relationships.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems.
• Familiarity with the Appalachian Trail, hikers, volunteers, and cooperative management structure preferred.
• Experience in retail, inventory management, and order fulfillment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends, and extended hours during peak periods or special events.
• Willingness to travel as needed for meetings, trainings, and field-based activities.
• Ability to perform work in both remote and shared office environments, with extended periods of computer and phone use.
• Ability to communicate effectively across multiple platforms, including phone, video, email, and in-person interactions.
• Ability to perform field work in remote or backcountry settings, including rugged terrain and varying weather conditions, with potential exposure to wildlife and environmental elements.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or move light to moderate weight as needed.
• Reliable transportation required for work-related travel; mileage reimbursement provided in accordance with organizational policy.

Additional Details:

• Location: Hybrid Role – Requiring two in‑office days per week at one of the ATC regional office locations in Harpers Ferry, WV, or Roanoke, VA.
• Term Length: Four years; longer term possible but not guaranteed.
• Annual Salary Range: ($63k – $67k)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance available.
• Company paid long-term disability and life insurance provided.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service.

ATC Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

ATC encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness with all employees and volunteers to enable participation and contributions to their fullest potential.

We are committed to being an inclusive organization and recognize that a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds contributes to an effective and successful organizational culture and mission.

ATC prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and/or expression), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, political affiliation, union membership, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the locations where we operate.