Trails & Restoration Specialist

The Nevada Conservation Corps Trail and Restoration Specialist’s primary responsibility is to provide field support and technical training with a strong emphasis on trail construction, maintenance, and improvement projects. This includes equipping crew members with the skills needed to implement sustainable trail design, address erosion issues, install structures, and maintain recreational access across Nevada’s diverse landscapes. The Specialist also supports crews in carrying out restoration efforts such as invasive species management, habitat enhancement, illegal road decommissioning, and barrier installation. In addition to leading technical training, this position provides on-site project oversight and monitoring to ensure high-quality work and a safe, effective field experience for crews and partners.

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

Trail Restoration and Other Technical Duties

• Conduct regular site evaluations to assess progress and fix problems, ensure project objectives and partner expectations are met, and standardize and improve quality of work across all projects, sites, and crews.

• Maintain trail equipment inventory and maintenance protocols, assign tool and equipment complements to trail and restoration crews, and ensure standards of equipment maintenance are followed on a daily and weekly basis.
• Repair tools and equipment when needed and feasible. Seek out cost-saving measures for repairs, purchases, and tracking of trail equipment.
• Support NCC field rigging and derigging operations on a weekly basis.
• Conduct training and provide continued training opportunities (ad-hoc and formal) for field staff and members throughout the field season.

Leadership/Mentorship/Coaching

• Identify on-site opportunities to enable staff to “learn by doing” in a supervised and learning-focused setting

• Lead formal classroom and leadership training (Leadership Development Program – “LDP”) that empowers new and returning staff with the skillsets necessary to more independently and effectively restore trails throughout the West. Prepares and presents the trail components of the Crew Member orientations and LDP.

• Share previous project successes and the context and impacts of future project work at crew circle ups and formal AAR’s for more significant incidents or events.
• Uphold the GBI Leadership Values by leading by example, empathy and integrity.

Administrative Duties

• Follow and enforce fleet and equipment related policies detailed in GBI Personnel Handbook.
• Coordinate with other staff to develop and disseminate standards for evaluations, and conduct in-field supervisor and crew lead evaluations.
• Submit all necessary time, expense and invoice required documentation within established GBI SOPs and timelines.
• May be required to engage in GIS databases (ESRI) to develop components of reporting and project planning

Planning and Project Management

• Communicate with NCC Program Manager and Director on specific project issues and logistics.
• Complete end-of-season reports on trail and restoration project completions.
• Assist NCC Program Manager and Director in developing and monitoring quarterly performance measure targets for the AmeriCorps grant, agreements, etc.
• Track project performance target completion and address shortfalls or overages with partners to ensure timely project completion.
• Assist project partners in developing new projects, defining a scope of work, and establishing projected performance targets.

Safety of Self and Staff

• Provide in field support to crew supervisors, leaders, and members to improve crew safety (evacuations, on-call, etc), ensure crews produce high quality and consistent work, and provide opportunities for staff and member self-improvement.
• Make on-the-spot decisions for safety stand downs, or similar actions in order to promote learning and continuous improvement while balancing the realities of safety implications in the field. Responsible for ceasing individual or group operations in order to mitigate immediate and relevant safety concerns.
• Coordinate, as needed, with representatives of the Safety Committee to elevate relevant, timely concerns, case studies and AAR’s. May be asked to participate as a Committee member representative of NCC.

Requirements/Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Highly proficient in technical trail construction and maintenance, including dry stone masonry, carpentry, and other trail features;
• Skilled and able to operate and maintain some or all of: GPS, augurs, cobra combis, generators, and griphoists;
• Knowledge and application of training entry level members basic trail skills
• Comfortable living and working in the field often;
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, Microsoft and Google Suite software;
• Valid and insurable driver’s license;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays, occasionally working 8-days on and 6-days off;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and in a calm and pleasant manner. Exhibits professionalism in word choice and application, and errs towards conflict resolution when necessary
• High level of organization and attention to detail with demonstrated field and leadership skills.
• Ability to read and write checklists, reports, and correspondence.  Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, memos, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources Management, Recreation, Conservation Leadership, Environmental or other Education, or three years of related work equivalency;
• Combined relevant higher education credits, certifications, and experience will be considered;
• Familiarity with Nevada environmental community-based agencies, services and resources.

• Experience:
• At least three years’ previous experience with trail design, layout and flagging, including trail logs and mapping
• Five or more years leadership and supervision experience;
• Proven record of effective problem-solving skills and ability to share skills and knowledge with others.
• Preferred; experience in AmeriCorps or volunteer management and leadership development;

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Starting annual salary is $61k – $78k DOE (NOTE: in Nevada, there is no state income tax). In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes company-paid medical, dental (with option to upgrade both coverages), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.  Mental health support resources are employer-provided, as is 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (12 per year), and family leave. Total compensation package is $71k – $88k per year, DOE.  This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three

professional references to the unique application link.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact

lwilson@gbinstitute.org

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. Ability to perform heavy physical labor. Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds on occasion and up to 50 to 75 pounds for field-related work. The noise level in the work environment is usually mid-level.

The overall nature of the position is very active in nature requiring regular physical effort and exertion. There is frequent exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as mutually agreed upon to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

NOTE: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer: Although the Company has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, the Company reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the Company, at any time, with or without advance notice.