JOB TITLE:   Recreation Division Manager

JOB CLASS:  Program Associate II or III

WAGE RATE:  $28.06 - $37.06, DOE and final classification

About the Watershed Research and Training Center

The Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) sustains healthy lands and healthy communities. What started in the early 1990s as a local project to re-train displaced loggers and mill workers in Trinity County, California is now a vibrant nonprofit organization working locally, statewide, and nationally on a host of landscape conservation and community development issues.

In addition to creating dozens of local jobs in the woods each year, we lead several forest and watershed conservation programs, coordinate state biomass and fire management partnerships, and play an influential role in state and federal policy-making and program direction. We provide technical assistance and capacity building services to organizations with kindred missions and work through a set of national partnerships and networks to achieve our vision and goals.  

Job Summary

WRTC has been maintaining Trinity County trails since the mid-1990’s. Since 2016, our capacity has increased, and with it, the pace and scale of recreational trail work, including a number of large trail construction projects including OHV, wilderness, and mechanized mountain bike builds.

Under the supervision of the Watershed Stewardship Program Director, the Recreation Division Manager works directly with land management agencies, local and regional groups, and community volunteers to determine priority projects and to implement that vision. 

The Recreation Division Manager is responsible for fundraising for the division, managing seasonal staff, managing project budgets and timelines, and coordinating with partner organizations and land managers.  

Job Duties and Core Responsibilities

• Communicate regularly and effectively with Watershed Stewardship Program Director (direct supervisor) and WRTC Administrative Team
• With support from WRTC grant writer and the Program Director, this position is responsible for fundraising including: identification of grants and other funding opportunities,  development of proposals and budgets, and soliciting donations. Fundraising needs include acquiring funding for trail construction/maintenance as well as for the WRTC youth crew programs (with assistance from the Youth Development Program Director)
• Oversee project implementation, grant and budget management, and reporting in accordance with funding agreements
• Coordinate media and outreach efforts to highlight program and project successes, inform the public, positively represent the organization, and support program growth and future grant opportunities.
• Manage personnel (crews) including WRTC’s professional trail crew and seasonal Youth Conservation Crews
• Coordinate with the organization’s Fleet and Safety officer, to implement required safety and technical trainings
• Manage tools, equipment and supplies for the recreation crews
• Organize community trail volunteer days
• Maintain and build relationships with key stakeholders, donors, landowners, agency partners, and community members
• Interact positively and professionally with crew members, crew leads, landowners, local community members, partner organization representatives, and agency employees
• Ensure the recreation crews conduct quality work and represent WRTC positively
• Responsible for creating a safe, efficient, and supportive work environment

Minimum Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to fundraise, including grant writing experience
• Ability to effectively collaborate with partners
• Ability to maintain safety of self and crew during all activities associated with field operations
• Proficient using Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite
• Experience with GIS programs such as QGIS or ArcPro
• Valid Class C driver’s license and ability to operate 4WD vehicles in rugged terrain
• Ability to utilize handheld GPS devices/programs (e.g. Garmins, Avenza, etc.) for navigation, data collection, and tracking project progress
• Willingness to work on an occasional weekend to support community volunteer trail maintenance days
• Must successfully pass a fingerprint background check (required for any position regularly working with youth)

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Competencies

• At least two seasons of experience leading a trail crew
• Experience with new trail design, layout, ground-truthing, reroutes, or realignments
• Utilize appropriate hand tools (e.g. McLeod, Pulaski, rogue hoe, loppers, hand saw)
• Utilize appropriate power and motorized tools (e.g. chainsaw, weed eater, drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw)
• At least one year of experience with administration, including budget management, grant management, or grant proposals
• Experienced with chainsaws, i.e. valid S-212 Chainsaw Certification
• Valid Faller 2 Certification, compliant with USFS and BLM standards
• Wilderness First Aid Certification (or higher)
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs 
• Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day in steep and rugged terrain
• Experienced with towing trailers (under 10,000 lbs)
• Experienced in heavy equipment operation (ours are Sutter 300 Trail Dozer and CAT 301.7 Mini Excavator)
• Experienced in dry stack masonry construction and maintenance
• Experience training, mentoring and/or coordinating youth or young professionals 

Compensation for this position will be based on experience, within the range stated above. This is a year round, full-time (40 hour a week) position.

Year round full-time employees benefits include:

• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO) earned based on hours worked each pay period
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (paid by employer)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• 5% Employer contribution after 4 months of employment
• No minimum employee contribution
•  Life Insurance (optional/employee paid, reduced rate)