WATA Seeks Trail Management Coordinator

WATA Trail Management Coordinator

About Us

The Waterbury Area Trail Alliance (WATA) is a volunteer-run organization that builds and

maintains trails for a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future. We are a 501(c)3 part of the

Vermont Mountain Bike Association Chapter built from the ground up to support the Waterbury

area trails and community. The group was founded by a dedicated and skilled group of local

leaders in 2015. WATA represents a growing segment of trail users and businesses that are

committed to enhancing and maintaining our Waterbury area trails for the benefit of residents

and visitors alike.

WATA’s Mission: Building and Maintaining Recreational Trails for a Healthy, Vibrant &

Sustainable Future.

WATA’s Vision: Waterbury Area Trail Alliance (WATA) is committed to the improvement and

expansion of sustainable public trails for our local community.

Position Overview

WATA is seeking a highly motivated and organized individual to fill the role of Trail Management

Coordinator. This individual will play a crucial role in working with the Board of Directors (BOD)

and external partners to implement and manage the Board’s strategic plans for trail

expansion/maintenance and overall land management. The successful candidate will be

responsible for coordinating various initiatives aimed at enhancing trail systems, fostering

private and public landowner relationships, and ensure the long-term sustainability of outdoor

recreation spaces under the purview of WATA.

Eligibility

Applications for this position must be above the age of 18 and possess a valid US driver’s

license. The position involves outdoor tasks and trail maintenance. Due to the nature of the

work, candidates should be physically capable of lifting 50+ pounds and comfortable engaging

in physically strenuous activities for long periods of time.

Qualities Desired

- Proactive and organized

- Strong leadership and communication skills

- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including local landowners and

governmental organizations.

- Familiarity and passion for outdoor recreation and trail management

- Detail-oriented with the ability to distill strategic plans into actionable tasks

- Commitment to WATA’s mission and values

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is $40,000.

Time Commitment

The anticipated work commitment for this position is, on average, 25 hours per week. The

workload will fluctuate based on the seasonal use of trails and specific project requirements.

WATA expects that the workload will be heavier during the spring and summer months and

lighter during the fall and winter months.

Term

The position is a year-long contract with the opportunity for renewal based on performance and

organizational needs. The initial contract duration is March 1st 2024 to March 1st 2025.

Responsibilities

Trail Management

- Work with the BOD and staff to distill and adapt the strategic plan into an actionable and

measurable work plan with timelines and key deliverables.

- Implement and manage work plans, modifying as needed.

- Coordinate with the State on relevant trail expansions .

- Explore additional properties surrounding Perry Hill and establish connections with

landowners.

- Develop a strong working relationship with the Waterbury Land Initiative.

- Liaise with Forest Parks and Recreation (FPR) on trail management options for State

land.

- Liaise with the Town of Waterbury on trail management options for Town land.

- Manage winter grooming efforts and coordinate with FPR on winter use of approved

parcels.

- Use the State's format for trail corridor proposals and work with the District Stewardship

Team.

- Support forecasting future maintenance and building projects, providing budget input for

financial planning.

Trail Maintenance and Community Engagement

- Assist with trail maintenance projects, particularly around spring re-opening.

- Train lead volunteers to run effective and meaningful trail work events.

- Manage any paid trailwork projects

- Coordinate winter grooming and use for any parcel approved for winter activities

- Create and maintain a trail maintenance schedule for volunteer trail work

- Manage the opening and closing of trails via trailforks + trailhead signage

Partnerships and Reporting

- Prepare and submit annual reports, including the Year-end Trail Maintenance Report and

Trail Maintenance Plan.

- Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with partner organizations including

Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), and Vermont Mountain

Bike Association (VMBA)

- Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with local landowners and other

stakeholders.

- Provide the BOD with monthly updates

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant work samples to

waterburytrails@gmail.com

We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. Applications

will be accepted until the position is filled, with priority given to applications received before

January 19, 2024