Coastal Regional Trails Specialist

SALARY
$45,926.00 – $80,369.00 Annually

LOCATION
Multiple – See Job Description, NC

JOB TYPE
Permanent Full-Time

REMOTE EMPLOYMENT
Flexible/Hybrid

JOB NUMBER
25-03642 DPR60032949

DEPARTMENT
Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources

DIVISION
Parks and Recreation

OPENING DATE
03/24/2025

CLOSING DATE
4/4/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

JOB CLASS TITLE
Regional Trails Specialist

POSITION NUMBER
60032949

SECTION
Parks and Recreation

SALARY GRADE
NC12

RECRUITMENT RANGE
$45,926 – $69,668

This position is deemed eligible for hybrid telework under DNCR’s Telework Policy.

Recruitment Range: $45,926 – $69,668

(This is a range.  Selected candidate’s salary will be determined within this range
based on qualifications, equity, and funding at the time of hire.) 

Click here to learn about employee perks and benefits
Click here to see the Total Compensation Calculator  

This position can be located at one of the following locations: 

CAROLINA BEACH STATE PARK, CLIFFS OF THE NEUSE STATE PARK, DISMAL SWAMP STATE PARK, FORT FISHER STATE PARK, FORT MACON STATE PARK, GOOSE CREEK STATE PARK, HAMMOCKS BEACH STATE PARK, JOCKEY’S RIDGE STATE PARK, JONES LAKE STATE PARK, LAKE WACCAMAW STATE PARK, LUMBER RIVER STATE PARK, MERCHANTS MILLPOND STATE PARK, PETTIGREW STATE PARK, SINGLETARY LAKE STATE PARK.

Primary Purpose of Position:    

The Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking an enthusiastic team member to promote the planning, construction, maintenance and management of trails within the counties of the assigned region. Responsible for providing North Carolina State Parks, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations with statewide and regional trail planning support, consultation and technical assistance, educational/training services, and grant management services.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Supporting counties in the Trail Program’s Coastal Regions
• Planning and promoting community trails and greenway projects within the program’s region and associated counties of North Carolina.
• Serving as trails expert to state and federal agencies, local governments, private stakeholders, landowners, and trail user groups to plan and coordinate the acquisition, construction, and management of trails and greenways for multiple purposes.
• Organizing and conducting interagency community planning efforts for large, multi-jurisdictional trail and greenway projects involving collection and integration of data from multiple sources such as environmental protection, economic development, recreation demand, and related topics.
• Facilitating planning and cooperation across jurisdictions and among multiple land managers, conducting large, multiple partners planning meetings and helping to investigate project alternatives and potential trail corridors.
• Assisting in the preparation, reviewing and administration of federal and state trail grant funds for trail and greenway projects.
• Collaborate frequently with other Trails Program staff, park planners, natural resource staff, park operations, and other pertinent Division staff to ensure project objects are fully met and adhere to the Division’s mission.
• Mapping potential trail corridors using sustainable trail design standards; flagging potential alignments and pinning flags the final alignment to be used by the contractor or park staff when constructing the trail.
• Public and media are an integral part of the position; therefore, the ability to make independent, sound and contextually appropriate decisions is critical.
• Conducting presentations to the public, state and federal agencies, local governments, private stakeholders, and landowners.

Position/Physical Requirements:  

• Typical work schedule is Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm; some weekend and holiday work required.
• Requires a flexible schedule which includes day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday work.
• Requires frequent travel throughout the assigned region.
• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license within 90 days of employment.
• Must have the physical ability to work long hours in outdoor environments traversing varied terrain year-round with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.

Qualified candidates must have or be able to:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and/or experience in trail construction and/or maintenance concepts and practices
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated experience using ArcGIS and/or other ESRI products

Management Prefers: 

• Demonstrated experience with planning concepts and practices
• Demonstrated experience communicating effectively with management, staff, clients, members of the media and the general public.
• Demonstrated experience working diplomatically with a variety of clients, applicants, stakeholders and interest groups.
• Demonstrated experience planning and organizing work independently, and also in a team setting.
• Working knowledge of modern, sustainable trail design and building practices from  the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and the US Forest Service (USFS) trail guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience of grants administration and/or monitoring.Demonstrated experience in construction, carpentry, and/or operation of heavy machinery

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See of oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, community or regional planning, recreation, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution 

AND

two years of related experience; 

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information
The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation exists to inspire all its citizens and visitors through conservation, recreation and education.
jobshiringnearme.org: To conserve and protect representative examples of North Carolina’s natural beauty, ecological features, recreational and cultural resources within the state parks system;
Recreation: To provide and promote safe, healthy and enjoyable outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the state; and
Education: To provide educational opportunities that promote stewardship of the state’s natural and cultural heritage.
To explore NC State Parks visit: https://www.ncdcr.gov/things-to-do/state-parks  

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. The Department’s vision is to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.  We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team!

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.

We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.