Trails Administrator (Operations & Maintenance Administration)

Please visit ocgov.com/jobs and search Trails Administrator or follow the link below to view the full job posting and to apply directly on our website: 

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/jobs/4310506/trails-administrator 

THE OPPORTUNITY
OC Parks has an excellent job opportunity for a Trails Administrator to develop and oversee multiple programs related to planning, implementing, and managing the OC Parks wildland trail infrastructure to provide high-quality, well-considered recreational opportunities while ensuring trail sustainability, compatibility with land stewardship values, and adherence to regulatory standards. This position will be responsible for coordinating major trail mapping, maintenance and monitoring projects, overseeing contractors, working with staff, volunteers, and stakeholders, and responding to public inquiries and concerns related to trail and field mapping operations.  

Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage the installation, realignment, maintenance, repair, and monitoring of wildland trail infrastructure.
• Develop and coordinate trails and mapping programs and projects.
• Lead various aspects of trail planning and development, including routing, connectivity and access, shared use, environmental protection, signage, and other issues as appropriate in collaboration with staff and partners.
• Administer the OC Parks Trails Subcommittee.
• Lead the OC Parks Drone Working Group in partnership with GIS staff and develop related Best Management Practices.
• Work closely with OC Parks’ Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, and field staffs to develop trail solutions that balance ecological stewardship with recreation and sustainable park infrastructure.
• Develop, lead, assign, supervise, and review the work of consultants, contractors, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Maintain and develop as needed guiding documents such as trail plans, policies and procedures, guidelines, workflows, and training materials.
• Coordinate with staff, consultants, and partners to support trail planning, mapping, and monitoring, including formal and unauthorized trails.
• Research, monitor, and maintain information and reporting on critical trail gaps and implement gap closure strategies. 
• Develop strategies and procedures for planning and implementing new trail openings identified in park Master Plans, major reroutes, and rehabilitation of unauthorized trails.
• Research and develop studies, inspections, reports, manuals, and guides for park planning and management; perform trail data analysis as needed.
• Shepard trails projects through applicable regulatory requirements such as CEQA and conservation easement compliance.
• Represent OC Parks as a subject matter expert, coordinating with regulatory agencies, partners, and the public.
• Cultivate relationships with key partners, including park agencies, non-profit support groups, and community organizations.
• Work with the OC Parks GIS Group to update and maintain trail information in the GIS database; ensure internal documents and public trail maps are maintained for accuracy over time.
• Review and comment on trail plans, design, environmental review, and permitting documents.
• Provide training on a variety of trail and data collection topics. 
• Perform field data collection and analysis. 
• Support work under grants and special projects.
• Prepare and present written, oral, and technical reports.
• Support OC Parks’ Regional Trails Group as needed.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate shall possess at least three (3) years of full-time work experience related to management of open space lands, trails, or a related field. The ideal candidate’s experience shall include trail planning, implementing principles of trail sustainability, developing guiding documents for trails, field mapping, and data management.
 
A Bachelor’s degree in land use, natural resource or park planning, geography, environmental studies/science, or another related field is highly desirable, but not required.
 
In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate related knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge tendersglobal.net Wildland Trails & Information Management

• Experience with trail planning and networks. 
• Knowledge of principles of trail sustainability.
• Knowledge of wildland trail construction best practices, including technical construction challenges and how to overcome them.
• Familiarity with sensitive biotic and abiotic resource protection and related avoidance and minimization measures.
• Wildland fire training for post-fire trail operations assessments and mapping.
• Experience with field data collection and analysis.
• Experience with database management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Geographic Information Systems, Google Earth, and field-based data collection GPS devices and platforms.
• Experience working with partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Familiarity with drone operation and ability to obtain a drone license to administer the OC Parks Drone Working Group and manage the associated equipment and BMPs.
• Experience with preparing informational, scientific, technical, and compliance reports.
• Familiarity with regulatory permitting processes and constraints governed by agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
• Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and California Coastal Commission.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and County laws, regulations, and policies governing wildlife and habitat components, such as the Endangered Species Act, California
• Coastal Act, Fish and Wildlife Code, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Clean Water Act.
• Knowledge of Natural Communities Conservation Plans and Habitat Conservation Plans.
• Understanding of methods of monitoring trail values and change over time, scientific research analysis, and statistical techniques and their applications.
• Familiarity with Orange County geography, parks, and natural resources.

Analytical Thinking tendersglobal.net Judgment 

• Objective analysis of problems and development of effective course of action.
• Understand and follow oral and written technical instructions.
• Strong attention to detail, organization skills, and time management.
• Ability to successfully plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
• Sound judgment in seeking out resources and consulting with others to gain and share information.
• Proactive, strategic planning and alignment of all undertakings with the organizational vision. 
• Effective management of competing priorities while meeting established deadlines.
• Innovation and creativity with a solution focus.
• Awareness of trail management trends to seek and implement best practices with an emphasis on organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to perform in remote work environments and work independently.

Leadership tendersglobal.net Teamwork & Communication

• Strong relationship-building skills with all levels of County staff, contractors, partners, and the public.
• Initiative and innovative leadership effectively working within a government structure, coordinating, and leading working groups.
• Empower, mentor, and coach staff, contractors, consultants, and volunteers.
• Promote a positive image of the organization and work effectively with the community in formal and informal settings.  
• Operate independently and collaboratively.
• Effective oral and written communication with a diversity of audiences. 
• Completion of assignments on time, within budget and policy, with a positive attitude.
• Accountability for personal performance, goal achievement, and organizational contribution.
• Commitment to continuous growth in professional skills, knowledge, and abilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for the full classification specification for Operations and Maintenance Administrator (8266MA).