Job Board: Trail Planning and Development Coordinator
About the Program:
The TP&D Committee leads our efforts to connect the gaps and complete the Ozark Trail. We are developing future trail routes with the vision of the trail extending from St Louis to the Arkansas border and connecting with the Ozark Highland Trail. We leverage geospatial technology to plan and design new trail corridors and track our planning and development efforts. Committee members engage and partner with local community and government leaders, landowners, and land managers to obtain the rights and permission to enable us to construct new trails.
Position Description:
The Trail Planning and Development Coordinator will work with other members of the Trail Planning and Development Committee and members of the OTA leadership team to develop and execute the strategy and plan to complete the Ozark Trail and close the remaining gaps. This includes developing new trail corridors and trail routes and working with landowners to obtain rights to build new trails.
Key Duties:
- Serve as point of contact for targeted landowners in gap trail corridors
- Document and update ARC GIS application supporting our trail planning efforts, including
- Efforts with individual landowners to obtain trail acquisition rights
- Proposed trail corridors and specific trail routes; adjust them as we obtain rights or denials from landowners.
- Support stakeholder engagement strategy to build support for new trails
- Assist in development and implementation Trail Town program to build support for the OT and other trails in the region
- Develop and update presentations, brochures, posters, and on-line material demonstrating our mission, strategy, and plan for trail expansion
- Partner with Finance Committee to source funds to acquire trail acquisitions rights; assist with grant research, grant submission and reporting
Skills Needed:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Willing to develop working knowledge of GIS applications
- Willing to develop working knowledge of Powerpoint to develop and update presentations
- Must be comfortable and outgoing, willing to reach out proactively to trail partners including landowners, public trail partner organizations and business and public officials
- Knowledge and experience with property purchase and easement acquisition helpful
- Comfortable speaking in public
Time Commitment:
- 5 to 10 hours per month.
- Attend monthly committee meetings remotely via Zoom
How to Apply:
Send an email to TP&D Chair by April 6, 2026. Applicants will be contacted by email about next steps, which may include a short interview prior to selection.