Summary
The Local Trail Committee Chair (Trail Chair) is an important part of the Trail Conference. Our Trail Chairs take the big-picture view of a region and work with a Program Coordinator to build a positive future for all the trails and volunteers they oversee. Trail Chairs support and empower a team of Trail Supervisors and identify the short- and long-term needs of the trails in their assigned area to ensure the public has a safe and positive experience in the outdoors.
Apply below!
Core Responsibilities
- Trail Supervisor Management: Support and empower a team of Trail Supervisors. Help onboard and foster the region’s Supervisors, hold them accountable for their work, and collaborate with staff to recruit for any vacant spots on the team. Fill in for vacant Supervisor roles until a replacement is found.
- Trail Maintainer Placement: Act as the point person to place new volunteer Trail Maintainer interests on vacant trail segments, with help from the Supervisors.
- Trail Management: Be familiar with and inspect all trails in the assigned area. Participate in annual planning with the Program Coordinator to identify and prioritize trail needs/projects. Work and communicate with land manager. Regularly review Supervisor and Maintainer assignments to ensure all changes are reported to staff.
- Accomplishments Reporting: Volunteer reports are critically important and demonstrate the value of our volunteers to land managers, partners, donors, grant programs, government officials, and others. Trail Chairs take the lead in collecting Trail Supervisor, Crew Leader, and, when applicable, Corridor Manager reports and send them to the Program Coordinator and [email protected].
Support and Training
New Trail Chairs will be provided an onboarding packet when starting their position and will receive ongoing guidance from their Program Coordinator. Additionally, they will have the support of the Volunteer Engagement team.
Regional Trails Council (RTC) meetings provide the opportunity to network and learn from fellow volunteer leaders. Knowledge sharing with peers is a fantastic way to grow skills and expertise.
Responsibility Details
Managing the Trails and Team of Volunteers
- Work with the Volunteer Engagement staff and Supervisors to fill vacant Maintainer positions.
- Support implementation of Trail Conference and applicable land manager policies and practices.
- Solve problems beyond the ability of Supervisors and Maintainers, including working with qualified sawyers to remove large blow downs and request Trail Crew or other help as needed.
- Support coordination and scheduling of trail construction activities in the region.
- Submit trail data updates for new or relocated trails and reports on illegal trail usage as required.
- Foster a positive culture through recognition of your Supervisors/Maintainers. Nominate outstanding people for the annual awards and help distribute annual recognition items. Host group get-togethers and clean up days.
- Identify volunteer training needs and if interested and able, facilitate training opportunities.
- Replace volunteers whose work does not meet Trail Conference standards, with support of the Volunteer Engagement team, if attempts to work with them to improve their skills are unsuccessful.
Big Picture Planning
- Identify and prioritize regional trail and volunteer needs and resource requirements based on discussions with Trail Supervisors, Crew Leaders, land managers, the Program Coordinator and other applicable parties.
- Attend and participate in meetings of the Regional Trails Council (RTC) and other groups/committees of interest.
Current Positions Available
New York
West Hudson- Southern Shawangunks.
The Southern Shawangunks region spans from the New York/New Jersey border at High Point State Park, north to Shawangunk Ridge State Forest, and west to the Neversink River Unique Area. The Trail Chair for this region works hand-in-hand with the Trail Supervisors who oversee main-
tenance on sections of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, which stretches for 71 miles from High Point State Park following the scenic ridge through state forests and parks.
Apply to be a Trail Chair Here!