South Puget Sound Coordinator

Washington Trails Association is seeking a dependable and self-motivated individual who is committed to high quality trail stewardship, supporting volunteer crews, and building community to join the trail maintenance program. This position will be responsible for helping to support the training, facilitation, coordination and management of WTA’s trail program in the South Puget Sound region of Washington, with an emphasis on volunteer stewardship.

The South Puget Sound Coordinator is a year-round hybrid position with both field-based and administrative (work from home) responsibilities. This position is full-time, non-exempt and reports to the Olympics and South Puget Sound Field Manager. The position will support projects in the South Puget Sound/Tacoma region with a base of operations at WTA’s Puyallup gear cache.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership Development, Community Engagement & Volunteer Support

• Supervises and supports the hiring, training and professional development of up to 2 seasonal crew leaders and multiple volunteer crew leaders in the region.
• Supports crew leaders to help them establish safe, fun and inclusive working environments for volunteer crews with diverse backgrounds.
• Ensures WTA crews are logistically supported with work plans, adequate tools, vehicle, PPE and any other necessities during their season.
• Coordinates community engagement efforts and stewards existing and new partnerships with a focus on organizations that serve under-represented populations.
• Assists with trainings, workshops and identifying opportunities to further build a diverse trail community.

Trail Project Planning, Execution and Reporting

• Coordinates work party projects and plans in collaboration with Olympics and SPS Field Manager.
• Proactively maintains mutually beneficial, cordial working relationships with representatives of land manager partners including US Forest Service, Washington State Parks and other local entities.

Trail Project Planning, Execution and Reporting, continued

• Executes annual project schedule to meet program goals and objectives and provides frequent and timely updates to agency partners.
• Ensures all technical work is to standard – including tread construction, drainage structures, and construction of steps, turnpike and puncheon.
• Effectively manages emergency situations following WTA’s emergency response protocols.
• Serves as crew leader on volunteer trail projects as needed.

Administrative & Other Duties

• Builds trail work parties in Salesforce and provides oversight to ensure work party paperwork and incident reports from events are submitted in a timely manner.
• Actively participates in organization and team meetings, trainings and other events.
• Contributes to Communications Team’s efforts to develop and identify potential program stories for magazine and electronic media publication.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Skills, Knowledge, and Values

Competitive candidates will highlight the following in their application, or express willingness to learn:

• Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission and values on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience leading participants in an outdoor setting, experience with trail maintenance and building, or comparable restoration or construction experience.
• Prior nonprofit program coordinator and training facilitation experience or equivalent.
• A deep understanding of the experiences and community issues affecting those marginalized in mainstream outdoor opportunities, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and/or LGBTQ+ communities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills (written and interpersonal), including the ability to provide effective feedback to team members and integrate feedback graciously.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet program/organization goals, enthusiastic about embracing new challenges.
• Solid judgment and ability to remain calm and manage emergency situations.
• Ability to work 10-hour days in an outdoor environment including hiking and backpacking over steep, uneven terrain and participate in trail maintenance activities using heavy hand tools.
• WFR certification preferred, WFA and CPR certification minimum requirement valid through the duration of employment. WTA can provide WFA/CPR opportunities after hiring.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Familiarity with Salesforce a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive trucks on highways and dirt roads.

Location and Schedule

The South Puget Sound Trail Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt field position based out of WTA’s Puyallup gear cache in the South Puget Sound/Tacoma region and includes occasional evening and weekend work. This position will have a hybrid home/field schedule. The work schedule changes depending on the season and programs operating, but the typical schedule is 40 hours a week over 5 days. During the summer season, the Coordinator may be assigned to lead adult volunteers in backcountry trail projects for up to 5 days in length. Some evening and weekend work may be required to attend meetings and assist with staff and volunteer trainings.

Compensation

Compensation starts at $24.00 – $26.00 per hour depending on experience.  This role has the potential to go up to $27.50 per hour with time and demonstrated success in the role. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, transportation and holiday, vacation and sick leave. For more information about WTA’s benefits, please visit our website: www.wta.org/benefits.

WTA provides a cell phone, hard hat, work gloves and safety glasses. WTA does not provide boots, clothing or other personal outdoor and backpacking gear required for fieldwork, but does provide a $200 reimbursement annually to offset wear and tear on personal gear. A WTA vehicle will be provided for transportation to work parties whenever possible. Reimbursement for up to 250 miles per round trip will be provided for staff members who use a personal vehicle to fulfill program needs, unless commuting to/from base of operations. For multi-day overnight trips, this position is paid a supplementary per diem rate of $50/day.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We believe WTA, and Washington’s hiking community, is made better by people with varied backgrounds, identities, abilities and lived experience. WTA is committed to advancing equity and continually working to become a more inclusive organization. People of color and others with identities that are underrepresented in the outdoor industry (including but not limited to: gender identity, class, socioeconomic status, conviction history, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background) are strongly encouraged to apply.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at WTA will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities. WTA does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, ancestry, caste, color, creed, expunged juvenile record, familial status, family relationship (denying employment because a family member already works for the employer), gender identity, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, off-duty tobacco use, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.