Position Summary

The Trail Ambassador conjunctly represents Pikes Peak Outdoors (PPO) and Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) in promoting safe, sustainable, inclusive, and enjoyable recreation experiences across the Pikes Peak Region’s parks and trail systems. Working collaboratively with multiple land management agencies, community partners, and volunteers, Trail Ambassadors serve as a bridge between the public and the organizations that manage these lands. This position focuses heavily on public engagement, visitor education, stewardship, and monitoring trail and park conditions to support long-term sustainable recreation practices and equitable access to outdoor spaces. This role is ideal for someone who is outgoing, independent, passionate about connecting with outdoor visitors, building community connections, and spending ample time outdoors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Public Engagement and Education

• Serve as a friendly and informed representative of PPO, RMFI and land management partner agencies across city, county, state, and federal lands. This will include time 
  spent at both major trailheads with educational booths/activities and actively hiking on regional trails.
• Provide visitors with information about trail systems, park amenities, safety, regulations, natural resources, and sustainable outdoor recreation practices.
• Foster inclusive and positive interactions with diverse community members and user groups.
• Educate visitors about Leave No Trace principles, responsible recreation, and shared trail etiquette.
• Potentially assist in creating curriculum for and teaching Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops and/or Level 1 Instructor Courses for numerous ages and demographics.

Data Capture and Stewardship

• Conduct field visits and patrols to observe visitor use, trail conditions, signage needs, and potential safety or maintenance issues.
• Collect and report data on trail conditions, visitor counts and interactions, and public feedback using mobile tools or forms such as Survey123/ArcGIS.
• Support volunteer workdays, cleanups, and community stewardship events, both for PPO/RMFI and partner organizations.
• Assist in documenting and communicating field observations to relevant partner agencies.

Partnership and Outreach

• Represent RMFI at community events, outdoor fairs, and partner meetings.
• Contribute to educational materials, outreach campaigns, and social media updates related to the Ambassador Program, outdoor ethics, trail use and stewardship.

Other Responsibilities

• Support evaluation and reporting requirements for grants and partner programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the organization’s mission.

Qualifications 

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in environmental education, recreation management, natural resources, interpretation, 
  communication, hospitality, or related fields preferred.
• Conditional offerees must complete the U.S. Forest Service Workplace Capacity Test upon arrival for RMFI training.
• Experience in customer service, community outreach, or environmental education is strongly desired.
• Experience working with or within multi-jurisdictional land management partnerships is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Passion for parks, trails, outdoor recreation, community engagement and promoting outdoor ethics. Park Ranger or Interpretive Guide experience preferred.
• Friendly, confident and outgoing demeanor of engagement with the public, including the ability to easily start a conversation with strangers.
• Excellent, honest communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative  approach.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in the field.
• Accountability for maintaining one’s own hours, time keeping and job responsibilities, with supervisor collaboration.
• Competence using GPS, mobile data collection apps, or basic mapping tools.
• Knowledge and experience with a variety of basic trail maintenance and assessment  techniques.
• Wilderness first aid (WFA), wilderness first responder (WFR), or standard first aid/CPR certification preferred.
• Experience operating AWD and/or 4x4 offroad vehicles preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor certification is a plus; Level 2 certification is highly desired.
• Certifications from the National Association for Interpretation (NAI).
• Outdoor recreation skills, experience and/or affinity with specific user groups/clubs in the Pikes Peak Region (e.g. mountain biking, climbing, OHV users, etc.).
• Fluency or experience with mapping platforms such as Esri ArcGIS and Survey123.

Working Conditions

• Primarily outdoor-based; regular outdoor work in variable weather, temperatures, and terrain.
• Requires regular evening, weekend, or holiday shifts.
• Required to walk, hike, or bike distances at an average of 5-7 miles per day and 25-35 miles per week in strenuous terrain (e.g. the Manitou Incline).
• Must be able to bend, stoop, crouch, and lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Comfortable transporting and setting up large and bulky field equipment such as canopies and folding tables with little to no assistance.
• Travel across multiple park and trail jurisdictions using personal or organizational vehicle (mileage reimbursed if applicable).

Work Schedule

IMPORTANT NOTE: regular weekend and occasional summer holiday work are a requirement for this position. Please read through the position qualifications and work conditions thoroughly before submitting an application.

• Start Date: January 11, 2027
• End Date: December 18, 2027
• Work Week Schedule:
  • Position 1: Saturday-Wednesday, off Thursdays and Fridays.
  • Position 2: Wednesday-Sunday, off Mondays and Tuesdays

NO HOUSING PROVIDED.

Research shows that women and marginalized groups are less likely to apply for a role unless they meet every requirement. If you are passionate about PPO & RMFI’s mission(s) 
and think you have what it takes for this position, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not feel you meet 100% of the listed qualifications.