Director Trails & Conservation

Job Overview

The Director of Trails & Conservation Department plays a key role in carrying out our mission to connect people to nature, culture, communities, recreation and our industrial heritage throughout five counties and along over 165 miles of D&L Trail. The work performed may affect long-term sustainability of the D&L Trail and related matters.  The work will also impact the programs and plans of numerous communities in the five county National Heritage Corridor region. 

The Director of Trails & Conservation reports to the Deputy Director and works collaboratively with the Executive Director, Manager of Gifts & Development, Director of Museum & Education as well as the Community Engagement and Finance & Personnel Managers.  He/she/they is in charge of setting goals, objectives, and priorities for the Trails & Conservation Department and overseeing the department staff.  He/she/they works especially closely with the Trail & Stewardship Manager to support various trail projects and advocacy. 

The Director of Trails & Conservation coordinates outreach to communities located along the D&L Trail using the full package of trail programs and manages the Data Driven Sustainability project. He/she/they supports the mission of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor including our projects and programs, services, leadership and marketing teams with insights gained from analyzing internal and external data. 

Core responsibilities:    

• Manage the Trails & Conservation Department including: 

1. Supervise the department staff, helping to set goals and metrics to track progress and success. 

1. Work with coworkers to prepare grant applications for continued funding of the department’s programs and projects under this position; manage awarded grants by tracking the expenses and completing necessary reporting. 

1. Coordinate trail event and program planning with department staff to amplify public recognition of the D&L Trail and meet the strategic goals of the organization 

1. Oversee the D&L Ownership Council to ensure a strong relationship with the D&L Trail landowners. 

1. Serve as staff liaison to the D&L Trail & Conservation Board Committee 

• Represent the organization in discussion and meetings with federal, state and local officials and private citizens, at workshops, forums, conferences and training sessions and in discussions with other agency, departmental, and legislative representatives. 
• Regularly connect with every-day trail users and members of the surrounding community. 

• Manage the overall Data Driven Sustainability program by working directly with team members collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results to improve D&L programs and projects, and communicating findings to D&L, funding agencies, elected officials, partners and the public. 
• Make public presentations about the broader D&L Corridor and trail outreach initiatives. 
• Other duties as assigned

Special Benefits

Compensation:  $48,000 - $53,000 annual salary plus benefits 

Benefits:  Full-time employment benefits include paid holidays, paid vacations, paid sick leave, Social Security, Unemployment Compensation Insurance, Workers' Compensation Insurance, funeral (bereavement) leave and various leaves of absence, health insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan.  

Minimum Requirements

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Parks and Recreation, Sustainable Tourism, Economic Development or related field, or the equivalent work experience. 

• 2-4 years leadership and management experience. 
• Strong desire to connect and build relationships with trail users and community members 
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple, complex projects. 
• Strong problem-solving skills with an emphasis on product development. 
• Ability to work cooperatively with coworkers and a wide range of stakeholders and partners. 

• Excellent communication skills, including oral and written reports and public presentations that are relevant, meaningful and concise in addition to being grammatically correct and mathematically accurate.   
• A passion for working with partners and stakeholders to drive results with their data-based insights. 
• Technical knowledge including intermediate database management and ArcGIS Desktop and Online knowledge is required; basic knowledge of ArcGIS Server administration is preferred; intermediate knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Creative Suite competency required. 
• Willingness and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and master new technologies and techniques. 
• Valid US Driver’s license 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Frequent user of the D&L Trail 
• Master’s degree in Planning, Recreation, Natural Resources or related field. 
• Experience working with and creating data architectures, using statistical computer languages to manipulate data and draw insights from data sets, and applying advanced statistical techniques and concepts. 

• Adept at using large data sets to find opportunities for optimization and using models to test the effectiveness of different courses of action. 
• CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications