Job Description:
The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors of Alaska Trails, an Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. The Executive Director will implement the policy and directives of the Board of Directors and will oversee the day-to-day operation of the organization.

Primary Purpose:
The Alaska Trails’ Executive Director will be responsible for the management and administration of Alaska Trails. Primary responsibilities include promoting the Alaska Trails Mission, development of Alaska Trails as a sustainable statewide multi-use trails user organization, and providing oversight and administration of all Alaska Trails’ grants and contracts. Additional responsibilities include assisting the Board of Directors with strategic planning, membership drives, and outreach efforts to enhance the Alaska trail experience by supporting sustainable, world-renowned trails through advocacy and
education.

Essential Functions:
1. Community Education and Training Curricula - 35%
Assist Alaska Trails with the presentation and development of the educational Trails Training Curriculum, Trail Safety & Ethics, and other training projects. Execute and complete Alaska Trails’ grants and contracts associated with trail community education and training curricula.

2. Communications, Networking & Organizational Development - 25%
Work with the Board of Directors to develop a set of informational tools, including digital media, flyers, handouts, web-alerts, and short reports for public outreach and education on a variety of Alaska issues. Help design and implement a media strategy and provide materials for Alaska Trails’ publications.
Provide strategic planning assistance for the Board of Directors, including strategic project plans for fundraising, educational programs, staff needs, etc. Develop and maintain communications materials to recruit members and activists. Devise and implement a membership recruitment and retention strategy. Actively seek funding opportunities to sustain the programs of Alaska Trails.
Serve as principal staff resource to the Alaska Trails Board of Directors, its President, and committees to assist them in matters of policy formulation and interpretation, and in the monitoring of policy implementation. Manages the organization's budget and provides oversight on all financial matters.

3. Assist the Board of Directors on Trail Consulting Projects - 30%
The Alaska Trails Board of Directors is actively involved in several trail-consulting projects to ensure sustainable trails are designed and constructed. Current projects include the Great Land Trust Wetland Sanctuary Project, University Lake Trails, Eska Creek Falls, and additional projects as they arise. The successful applicant will act as the construction and/or contracting representative or in other capacities to ensure completion of these professional services.

4. Assist the Board of Directors with the Biennial Alaska Trails Conference - 10%
Biennially, Alaska Trails organizes the Alaska Trails Conference. The Executive Director will work with Alaska Trails’ partners to organize this conference and outreach its accomplishments.

Job Qualifications:
• Proven successful work as a self-motivated, self-assured professional.
• Proven management experience including budget development and oversight, grant administration and media/promotional experience.
• Experience with multi-use trail projects, including education, planning, construction and maintenance.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills (computer, written, and oral).
• Demonstrated successful experience with fundraising, including the preparation of grants, follow up reports, & quantifying (& PR for) donor participation.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and organizations, and to build coalitions.
• Ability to work in the field and on occasional weekends and evenings.

In addition, the Ideal Candidate will possess:
• Knowledge of trail system and operations, and an understanding of legal issues surrounding easements, acquisitions and dedications.
• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with civic organizations, special interest groups, government entities, and the public.
• Demonstrated experience (3-5+ years) successfully managing a nonprofit.

Alaska Trails Key Issues & Strategies:
• To promote sustainable trail systems for all users: By developing and providing technical assistance for trail projects.
• To preserve and improve public trail access: By assisting public and private organizations in forming coordinated programs, policies, and standards.
• To promote the health, social and economic benefits of trails: By educating users through forums, conferences, information materials, training and other activities.

Work Environment:
The Executive Director is under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will be expected to:
• prioritize work in order to effectively meet day-to-day demands and ongoing assignments.
• communicate regularly with the Board president on work projects and to seek advice on new or controversial aspects of the work.

The office is located within 100' of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trails and one quarter mile of the Ship Creek Trail.

Training will be provided to the successful candidate to ensure the candidate can quickly become a leader in the Alaska Trails’ community. The Executive Committee will complete performance evaluations at least quarterly for the first year, and then annually thereafter.

The salary is competitive and will be based upon the successful candidate's education, experience and skills. Position will be based upon a 30-hour workweek to begin with the potential to increase to full time. Interested individuals should familiarize themselves with Alaska Trails by studying our website (www.alaska-trails.org), and/or by contacting the Board President, Geoffrey Orth via office@alaska-trails.org

Screening of candidates will begin on March 20, 2009 and continue until a qualified pool is identified.