Inspiring Hikers to Create Trails for Everyone, Forever

Washington is home to extraordinary hiking destinations, including desert dunes, wild beaches, tranquil mountain tops and raging rivers. Washington is also home to a community of people who are passionate about exploring and protecting these places. This constituency—our members and supporters—is key to the future of trails in Washington.

Washington Trails Association (WTA) is the nation’s largest hiking and trail maintenance nonprofit. We have a 50-year legacy of engaging the hiking community to ensure Washington's trails stand the test of time. With more than 27,000 members and an online community of over 300,000 and growing, we are connecting people to the outdoors — from everyday adventures to backcountry explorations. Each year 4,500 WTA volunteers perform over 160,000 hours of trail maintenance across the state. We mobilize hikers as public lands advocates, trail stewards, and on-the-ground experts sharing knowledge with fellow hikers. WTA's strength is our community and our vision depends on fostering an inclusive organization where everyone feels welcome and represented. Together we can ensure there are trails for everyone, forever.

Position Summary

The Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT) program gets school-age youth outside by empowering teachers and youth groups with the skills and resources they need to lead safe and fun outdoor experiences. We are seeking an OLT Manager to support our community partnerships and leadership development function and advance WTA’s mission. The OLT Manager’s primary responsibility is to oversee and grow all facets of the OLT program. This work ranges from fostering partnerships and community engagement; managing gear inventory at two gear library locations; to developing outreach plans for building awareness of the program. The manager also oversees administering funding assistance to partners and tracking program impact. This position reports to the Community Partnerships and Leadership Development (CPLD) director. 

Primary Responsibilities

Program Development and Management

• Develop and manage outreach strategy for the program including participant recruitment and fostering productive relationships and long-term partnerships; with a focus on building engagement with the program’s priority audience and other stakeholders
• Supervise the OLT Senior Coordinator and work closely with the CPLD Coordinator; support OLT Senior Coordinator in planning and preparation for workshops
• Provide guidance on annual training workshops and events schedule, including creating custom trainings and events for specific audiences or regional communities 
• Track workshop evaluations and report program trends and outcomes, including data analysis for program improvement recommendations
• Oversee program content for our website, newsletters, social media and Washington Trails magazine
• Manage collaborative partnership to host BIPOC-centered Wilderness First Aid training, lead communications and registration process for training 
• Contribute to the development of a long-term vision for strategic program growth and development that aligns with Trails for Everyone campaign
• Collaborate and manage the development of a co-instructor training program and recruitment

Resource Management

• Manage OLT program budget and administer the funding assistance program to support partner organization outings. Assist with funding opportunities
• Manage inventory and procedures at two gear libraries in Seattle and Puyallup (plan and implement purchases, procurement, and donations of outdoor gear) 
• Track trends and create a plan to expand gear availability needs to meet demand

Other

• Serve as co-facilitator on hiking, camping, backpacking and snowshoeing workshops as needed
• Actively participate on the Trails Next Door planning team 
• Attend and participate in relevant regional and national events, meetings and coalitions related to youth outdoor leadership, community building, partnerships, and/or outdoor recreation
• Other duties as assigned

Experience, Skills, Knowledge, and Values

Competitive candidates will highlight the following in their application, or express willingness to learn:

• Demonstrated commitment to WTA’s mission and values on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Proven success in planning and coordinating partnerships, developing authentic programs to support an inclusive learning environment
• Demonstrated ability to create a group/community space where every member (people of diverse races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and economic backgrounds) feels included and valued
• Prior experience leading youth and managing groups in an outdoor setting
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to meet program/organization goals, enthusiastic about embracing new challenges
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail, ability to create efficiencies and build investment in systems
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Experience with Salesforce CRM database and spreadsheets is a plus
• Familiarity with outdoor gear inventory management
• Ability to set priorities, manage a variety of responsibilities and meet deadlines in an ever-changing environment
• A deep understanding of the experiences and community issues affecting those marginalized in mainstream outdoor opportunities, such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and/or LGBTQ+ communities
• Current WFA certification a plus
• Valid driver’s license 

Location and Schedule

The OLT Manager position is a full-time, non-exempt position based in WTA’s Seattle office. WTA has a hybrid work model with at least 2 days of work per week in-person at our Seattle office. Some tasks may require in-person presence at our Gear Library locations in Seattle or Puyallup or occasional evening or weekend work for special events. Vaccination requirements are in place for WTA staff.

Compensation

Compensation starts at $30.29 - $33.65 per hour, depending on experience. Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, disability, transportation, and holiday, vacation, parental and sick leave. WTA is committed to supporting professional development, so we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the qualifications listed. For more information about our benefits, please visit www.wta.org/careers.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email a resume and a brief cover letter describing professional and personal experience relevant to the position. Please include “OLT Manager” in the subject line. This position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by April 30, 2023. Finalists may be asked to submit a background check. We will create opportunities for candidates to discuss any results prior to hiring decisions being made.

If you have any questions or need accommodation in our recruitment process, please contact jobs@wta.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

WTA is committed to advancing equity and continually working to become a more inclusive organization. We believe WTA, and Washington’s hiking community, is made better by people with varied backgrounds, identities, abilities and lived experience. People of color and others with identities that are underrepresented in the outdoor industry (including but not limited to: gender identity, class, socioeconomic status, conviction history, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background) are strongly encouraged to apply.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at WTA will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities. WTA does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, caste, color, creed, gender identity, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.