Statewide Trails Program Manager

Statewide Trails Program Manager:
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation is looking for a trailblazer for a unique position. As the trail's coordinator, this person will take the developed framework and fully mature the program. We are looking for a creative and motivated candidate ready to serve all types of recreational trail interests, especially those in rural communities in Utah, for both non-motorized and motorized trail users. If you excel at building partnerships, this position may be a good fit. You would be responsible for seeking partnerships to develop, maintain, restore, and activate trails in Utah through education, data collection, and public input.
You'd be a great fit if:

• You have experience with developing, building, planning, and maintaining trails.
• You've got experience in planning and executing large-scale initiatives.
• You have a background in working with Federal and state land management partners.
• You have a knowledge of Utah's recreation opportunities.
• You are collaborative and are ready to work closely with the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.
• You have data collection and analysis experience, including geospatial data for mapping trails/, reporting trail conditions, etc.
• You're a great storyteller who can communicate complex issues concisely and persuasively.
• You're a self-starter with the ability to predict the needs of the trail community throughout the state to form and lead a coalition to meet those needs.
• You have a basic/working understanding of GIS applications (ArcGIS Online, ArcMap, Survey 123, Field Maps, etc.)

Ideal candidates would have:

• A successful track record in building influence and establishing a presence among a variety of stakeholders.
• Leadership skills in the implementation and establishment of strategic and long-range goals and objectives.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, educational institutions, non-profits, and trail users.
• An ability to facilitate public meetings in a competitive priorities environment to build consensus and collaboration.
• Written, graphic, and oral communication skills to develop trail plans, agendas, educational materials, etc.

Note: this position is open to remote work from any community within Utah and you should expect to travel regularly to visit communities and public land areas around the state. (DNR cars can be picked up at specific locations within the state).
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
Education and outreach

• Identify and act on opportunities to encourage all people in Utah to use trails and promote trail use generally.
• Curate volunteer opportunities for partner trail work projects.
• Work with the State Recreation Planner to help rural communities form trail committees to maintain and activate trails or volunteer trail maintenance groups to do the regular maintenance on local trails.
• Help develop statewide and local educational workshops, materials, and programs to promote responsible trail use and maintenance.
• Identify common ground and reduce trail conflicts.
• Identify and support underserved communities in receiving access to and the benefits of trail use in Utah.
• Devise various forms of outreach and engagement, including speaking engagements and tabling at annual trail events to represent DOR (trail mixers, National Trails Day, Public Lands Day, outdoor adventure, etc.)
• Advocate and promote UORG, RTP, RRI, ORI, ORPA, & other grants and planning resources that may help with trail work.
• Assist the State Planner to coordinate trail user needs with UDOT and other transportation/recreation needs.
• Act as producer/manager for statewide and regional trail conferences.
• Work with the Division's PIO to promote trails and trail programs and educate the public through the media.

Data Collection

• Create a trail database with data such as miles of trails, types of trails, difficulty, and universal-use trail opportunities for the adaptive community.
• Connect with trail content providers (AllTrails, OnX, TrailForks, etc) and help them get accurate information through DOR's Recreation Asset Database and Open Street Maps data. Interface with a GIS Specialist and State Planner to create an official source for KML, SHP, etc. that content providers can rely on for accuracy and freshness.
• Create an inventory of potential water trail routes throughout the state.
• Establish criteria for what falls into DOR's "Statewide Network of Recreational Trails."
• Help coordinate studies on trails, trail systems, and trail users as needed, which may entail applying for grants or working with an applicant group.
• Assistance strategically deploying trail counters to track trail usage trends.

Coordination and event planning

• Work with the Utah Trails Forum in planning meetings and coordinating events such as large conferences and trail workshops or webinars to educate communities, user groups, etc.
• Work with communities to identify potential locations for water trails and guide them through a process to establish routes on navigable waterways, coordinating with the State Planner as needed.

Why you should join our team:
Become part of the Division of Outdoor Recreation, which values knowledge, inclusivity, and dedication to serving the different communities of the state, aiming to create more opportunities for outdoor recreation. The position is full-time and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as generous paid time off to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It is flexible enough to allow those living in rural areas of the state to apply for this position. Special Working Conditions: This position offers remote or flexible work with conditions typical for a work or home office environment. The position will involve occasional work-related travel around the state, requiring the employee to be away from home overnight or for several days. At times, the position consists of demonstrating and educating groups about trail work, which is outdoor work with variable conditions and some physical rigors.

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA53-3-202(1)(a).
• Work may require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar activities.

Employment Type: Full Time