Trails Network Manager, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition

About NJBWC

As part of our mission, we support the development of trails and trail networks that provide safe spaces for cycling and walking for transportation and recreation. In partnership with Rails to Trails Conservancy we are launching a new trail initiative, the North Jersey Trail Network Initiative (NJTN). The NJTN seeks to build an accessible regional trail network by connecting existing trail corridors in North Jersey with new identified corridors that will transform the region by developing a strong active transportation network of safe off-road trails and greenways.  An area of focus will be to identify and prioritize trail network development in historically underserved and underinvested communities.

Job Description: North Jersey Trails Network Manager

New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition (NJBWC) is seeking candidates for a salaried, exempt, full time position as the Trails Network Manager. This position will help develop the North Jersey Trail Network as a key strategic program of NJBWC in partnership with Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) and other regional and local partners. The North Jersey Trails Network Manager will implement NJBWC’s vision to create trail networks that connect people to where they live, work and play, and will provide technical assistance and training to local partners to create more bikeable, walkable communities.

The Trails Network Manager carries responsibilities for the following aspects of NJBWC’s North Jersey Trail Network development: strategic and regional trail planning; partnership relationships; funding research; coalition building; community and volunteer engagement; advocacy tasks, and communication. The North Jersey Trails Network Manager will work in close partnership with RTC’s companion position for the North Jersey Trails Network, and under the direction of the NJBWC’s Executive Director and in coordination with other NJBWC staff.

This position will require a variety of skills, with a focus on strategic planning, policy, funding, and advocacy. The Trails Network Manager will build strategic alliances with public agencies, elected officials, and advocacy organizations, including the North Jersey Transportation Planning Association (NJTPA), counties, and state agencies, to advance priority trail projects. They will support the development of the trail network including identifying gaps for on-street connectivity strategies, provide technical assistance, and build community support.

This role involves co-chairing a regional working group with Rails to Trails’ companion position to implement the NJTN.  The Manager will also lead creation of and promotion of a vision document for the NJTN, including a priority corridors trail map, incorporating input from local and regional partners.

The Trails Network Manager position requires understanding and identifying state and federal funding opportunities, actively promoting those opportunities with partners and supporting statewide policies related to active transportation with a focus on trail development.

The Trails Network Manager position will require supporting community engagement including organizing workshops and community meetings, presentations and public speaking; organizing events throughout the year, including bike rides, walks, advocacy days, and community events; and identifying trail champions and volunteers to help build the NJTN.

In addition, the Trails Manager will facilitate the growth and presence of NJBWC through development of the advocacy network in the region and will coordinate with other NJBWC staff in building the organization outreach and membership.

Additional Responsibilities

• Manage grant requirements and deliver work products on time and on budget.
• Represent NJBWC in trail-based coalitions and meetings
• Coordinate with the NJBWC Communications Team to supply content about the NJTN for our website, state and regional news, email newsletter, blog and social media.
• Maintain files, a database of contacts, and email groups as needed for communication within the region.
• Support the growth and presence of NJBWC in the region.
• Assist with other tasks as assigned.

The Manager will work remotely but preference is for the candidate to work in or near the 6-county project area for the NJTN (Morris, Passaic, Essex, Bergen, Hudson, Union). The Manager must be able to travel frequently within the region for in-field research, meetings, and site visits. Work hours will include some evenings and occasional weekends.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Approximately 5 years’ experience in some combination of the following backgrounds: transportation/bike/ped planning; trail development; urban planning; landscape architecture; nonprofit management; community engagement and advocacy campaigns.
• A solid understanding of the process of moving a trail project from concept through advocacy, planning, funding, design and construction.
• Excellent research, writing, public speaking and time management skills.
• Project management experience, including work plans and budgets.
• Proficiency in Excel and standard Microsoft Office programs.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

• MA in one the following areas: urban planning, transportation planning, architecture, landscape design, land use policy
• Familiarity with bicycling, pedestrian, complete street, greenway development and mobility equity issues in New Jersey.
• Experience in advocacy campaigns for policy initiatives in New Jersey.
• Familiarity with the fundamentals of transportation project funding
• Proficiency in GIS.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Compensation

Salary hiring range: $70,000 – 90,000 yearly.

This is a full-time position with salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• 15 paid vacation days per year
• Paid travel expenses
• FICA, Medicare, unemployment security, workers’ compensation
• Health insurance available via group policy. NJBWC covers 90% of premium for medical and 50% dental & vision for employee.
• Retirement plan contribution matching (up to 3%).