Runners for Public Lands is looking for a part-time Program Manager for our 2025 Trail Work Series program.
Who Is Runners for Public Lands:
Runners for Public Lands is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers runners to engage in climate action, protect public lands, and expand access to nature for all.
What You Will Do:
The part-time Program Manager will manage our 2025 Trail Work Series program. Through this program, RPL works with trail managers, running clubs, races, and brands to educate and activate runners through recurring trail and path stewardship events in local communities. It is preferred that the candidate is located in the Santa Barbara County, CA region as they will be required to utilize the 2025 Santa Barbara, CA Trail Work Series as a pilot to refine program execution guidance and operational assets, develop evaluation processes, and create a comprehensive Trail Wok Series Handbook. This person will work closely with RPL’s Executive Director, Creative Content Manager, volunteer Ambassadors, and numerous partners including land managers and brand coalition partners. This position holds great potential for someone who wants to impact both environmental and outdoor recreation spaces while also developing experience in volunteer management, communications, event planning, program management and evaluation.
Who Are We Looking For:
Our team is excited to meet candidates who are passionate, willing to learn, eager to take initiative, and can work independently and with a dispersed team. The RPL Trail Work Series Program Manager will be expected to actively engage in RPL’s mission and maintain messaging that is consistent with our values. They should work well with a wide population of people ranging from community members to RPL’s Board of Directors to land managing officials and foster inclusive practices in all activities, promote a diverse and equitable work environment, and support initiatives that enhance cultural competence among volunteers. Our ideal candidate has some experience in developing and managing programs, successfully executing events, and working with volunteers. It is not required that this experience be in the nonprofit sector, but an interest in environmental justice, advocacy, outdoor recreation, and conservation is essential.
Responsibilities and Deliverables:
- Manage the 2025 Trail Work Series, using the Santa Barbara Trail Work Series as a pilot
- Oversee and manage Trail Work Series calendar and registration pages
- Coordinate local partnerships, sponsors, and volunteers.
- Support RPL Ambassadors and assist in organizing events, promotion, and communications
- Maintain and grow relationships with land managing agencies and other partners
- Collect and manage impact data and stories for all trail work events
- Work in collaboration with RPL staff to develop a Trail Work Series program evaluation process, assess effectiveness of the program and suggest improvements
- Refine program guidance and assets to create a comprehensive Trail Work Series Program Handbook and Delivery Toolkit
- Prepare impact reports to present to RPL’s Board of Directors and program funders.
Qualifications:
- Experience in nonprofit program development, management, and evaluation or related fields.
- Experience working with volunteer and/or managing volunteer events
- Experience working with land managing agencies
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Passion for environmental justice, outdoor recreation, and caring for public lands.
Location: Preference given to candidates in the Santa Barbara County however all regional candidates are encouraged to apply.
Hourly Rate: $25-$28
Weekly Hours: 16-22
Hybrid: This is a remote position with preference given to candidates in Santa Barbara County however all regional CA candidates are encouraged to apply. Attendance will be required at occasional in-person meetings or events.
Funding Source/ Contract: 10 months grant-funded contract from February – November. With the hope to extend and expand pending future grant funding.
To apply for this position please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@runnersforpubliclands.org. We will accept inquiries for this position until January 15, and will review applications on a rolling basis as they are received. Please expect an interview process consisting of in-person and/or video call(s) with RPL Board and Staff members, requests to provide examples of your work, as well as references.
Runners for Public Lands is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! RPL is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, please consider applying and joining our team.
Link here to see the job description as a PDF.
