Marketing, Membership, and Fundraising Development Fellow

position Title: Marketing, Membership, and Fundraising Development Fellow

Office Location: Independence MO/Kansas City Metro Area. 

This position requires the Fellow to report to the Oregon-California Trails Association office Monday through Friday. (During the last half of the Fellowship there may be a possibility for a hybrid work-at-home schedule with required in-office hours). This position will include up to 3 weeks of required travel. 

Status: Full Time, Temporary, Exempt

Duration: 1 Year Fellowship from September 2026 – September 2027

Position Summary:

The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is a nonprofit that connects member not-for-profit trail organizations and Federal agency partners to further the protection, completion, and stewardship of the 32 National Scenic and Historic Trails within the National Trails System. The purpose of PNTS is to promote and support the efforts of National Scenic and Historic Trail organizations, to secure public and private resources and to serve as a collective voice for policy and action that supports National Scenic and Historic Trails. We envision a thriving National Trails System that connects people and landscapes, commemorates diverse stories, and assures extraordinary experiences for all, now and in the future.

As part of fulfilling this mission and purpose, PNTS is hiring a Marketing, Membership and Fundraising Development Fellow to support capacity building and implementation of strategic priorities with the Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA). OCTA is the primary nonprofit organization for the California National Historic Trail and the Oregon National Historic Trail. OCTA’s mission is to protect the legacy of historic emigrant trails by promoting research, education, preservation, public awareness and collaboration. 

The Marketing, Membership, and Fundraising Development Fellow will work closely with OCTA leadership including the Association Manager, Headquarters Manager, President, Executive Committee, marketing committee, membership committee, and fundraising committee to build organizational capacity, increase financial strength and enhance community engagement. This work will include increasing the number of engaged OCTA supporters, engaging new audiences and youth through educational programming and outreach, working with volunteers, and supporting the implementation of a marketing plan for OCTA that will allow for the continued development and implementation of OCTA’s digital marketing program to reach identified audiences at scale to increase awareness of OCTA and generate new income, donors, and members. The Fellow will expand visibility, target a philanthropic audience, grow volunteer leadership, and lay the groundwork for a sophisticated fundraising approach. This work will directly support the preservation of trail landscapes and the integrity of the Oregon and California National Historic Trail corridor.

This Fellowship position is for individuals that want to make an impact in historic preservation and education as well as build skills in fundraising, marketing, communications, community engagement, and nonprofit management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruit and develop new volunteers for OCTA’s marketing committee, membership committee, and fundraising committee with support from the Executive Committee and Association Manager
• Support marketing of OCTA events and refreshing OCTA’s traditional marketing materials and programs, including websites, print collateral, and public relations.
• Collaborate with OCTA’s marketing, membership, and fundraising committees as well as the OCTA Treasurer and headquarters staff in developing, guiding, and implementing tools and strategies to increase the number of engaged supporters, whether members, donors, volunteers, event attendees, or customers.
• Engage new audiences and youth through educational programming and outreach by connecting communities, cultures, and partners to the land by highlighting the cultural and historic significance of trail sites.
• Work closely with the marketing committee in creating a comprehensive multi-year marketing plan for OCTA
• Attend both in-person and Zoom board meetings as well as at a variety of committee meetings
• Attend PNTS virtual training and networking events.

Job Requirements:

The person selected for this position must reside in the Kansas City Metropolitan area with the ability to travel to the Oregon-California Trails Association office in Independence, MO and ability to work in an office setting.

Qualifications and Preferred Skills:

• Undergraduate degree in business, marketing, or a closely related field.
• Enthusiasm and strong interest in preserving and protecting history and trails.
• experience with research, education, and public engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (in particular Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and possess the ability to work with partners of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints
• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel to OCTA’s annual events, which will include the spring symposium in April 2027 and the annual convention in Burley, Idaho, from September 12-17, 2027.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ability to meet deadlines.

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of the National Trails System and the National Trails System Act,  or the ability to research and learn about these topics.
• Experience working with diverse partners and stakeholders
• Experience working with non-profit organizations
• Experience using Bloomerang or similar Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool
• Experience or familiarity with Google Ads, Meta products, QuickBooks, and YouTube

Supervision and Work Environment:

The Marketing, Membership, and Fundraising Development Fellow will work under the direct supervision of the Association Manager at the Oregon-California Trails Association. The Fellow’s work will be overseen and supported by the Partnership for the National Trail System’s Program Manager. 

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary: $40,000 for 1 year Fellowship
• Educational opportunities including training in advocacy and policy, effective communications, and trail protection
• Opportunities to connect with a broad network of public lands and historic preservation professionals
• Opportunity to travel to OCTA and PNTS events
• $3,600 healthcare and home office stipend
• 11 paid holidays per year

EOE Statement: The Partnership for the National Trails System provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or other protected status.