Trails Network Manager, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition

Position: Trails Network Manager, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition

About NJBWC:

NJBWC, a nonprofit organization and registered 501(c)(3) public charity, is New Jersey’s only statewide advocacy organization for bicyclists and pedestrians. We believe every resident of New Jersey, whether they walk, cycle or roll, should have access to safe streets, trails and greenways. We strive to be a collective voice for everyone who believes that a safer, more rideable and walkable New Jersey means a more livable, equitable, and sustainable New Jersey. 

The organization partners with clubs, advocacy groups, and local, regional, and state agencies; and is supported by a growing list of sponsors who share the same goals. NJBWC is recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as the state bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization for New Jersey.

As part of our mission, we support the development of trails and trail networks that provide safe spaces for cycling and walking for transportation and recreation. In partnership with Rails to Trails Conservancy we are launching a new trail initiative, the North Jersey Trail Network Initiative (NJTN). The NJTN seeks to build an accessible regional trail network by connecting existing trail corridors in North Jersey with new identified corridors that will transform the region by developing a strong active transportation network of safe off-road trails and greenways.An area of focus will be to identify and prioritize trail network development in historically underserved and underinvested communities as part of efforts to create a more equitable transportation system in NJ. As North Jersey is one of the most densely populated areas in the country these off-road trails will be supplemented with safe on street infrastructure to connect trails and fill in gaps in support of safe biking, walking, and rolling.

Job Summary: North Jersey Trails Network Manager

New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition (NJBWC) is seeking candidates for a salaried, exempt, full time position as the Trails Network Manager. This position will help develop the North Jersey Trail Network as a key strategic program of NJBWC in partnership with Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) and other regional and local partners. The North Jersey Trails Network Manager will implement NJBWC’s vision to create trail networks that connect people to where they live, work and play, and will provide technical assistance and training to local partners to create more bikeable, walkable communities.

The Trails Network Manager carries responsibilities for the following aspects of NJBWC’s North Jersey Trail Network development: strategic and regional planning; partnership relationships; funding research; coalition building; community and volunteer engagement; advocacy tasks, and communication. The North Jersey Trails Network Manager will work in close partnership with Rails to Trails Conservancy’s companion position for the North Jersey Trails Network, and under the direction of the Executive Director and in coordination with other NJBWC staff. Their work will also include data collection and field investigations for the NJTN. In addition, they will help support NJBWC’s communications and administrative tasks for the North Jersey Trails Network.

This position will require a variety of skills, with a focus on strategic planning, policy, and advocacy.

The Trails Network Manager will build strategic alliances with public agencies, elected officials, and advocacy organizations to advance regional trail networks and projects. This role involves co-chairing a regional working group with Rails to Trails’ companion position to implement North Jersey Trail Network initiatives.

The Trails Network Manager will coordinate with partners, including the North Jersey Transportation Planning Association (NJTPA), counties, and state agencies, to advance priority trail projects. They will develop trail and on-street connectivity strategies, provide technical assistance, and build community support. Identifying network gaps and coordinating on-street strategies to connect priority corridors are also key tasks. In collaboration with Rails to Trails’ companion position, the manager will create and promote a vision document for the North Jersey Trail Network initiative, incorporating input from local and regional partners, and socialize this vision with elected officials, government agencies, and local advocacy groups.

The Trails Network Manager position also requires skills in funding and policy, specifically: understanding and identifying state and federal funding procedures and requirements; understanding and actively promoting funding opportunities with partners to ensure they can effectively pursue state and federal funding programs to accelerate trail network development; identifying and offering strategies to overcome barriers to grant applications and management; researching and supporting development of statewide policies to advance goals related to active transportation in general, with a focus on trail development and safe streets, and identifying and developing relationships with trail champion elected officials.

The Trails Network Manager position will require skills in community engagement, including: planning and implementing community engagement strategies, workshops and community meetings, including presentations and public speaking; getting NJTN included in state and local plans, official reports, and on official maps; serving as point of contact for trail managers/developers/advocates regarding NJTN; organizing and participating in events throughout the state throughout the year, including bike rides, walks, advocacy days, and community events; and identifyng trail champions and volunteers to help build the NJTN. In addition, the Trails Manager will facilitate the growth and presence of NJBWC through the development of the advocacy network in the region and will coordinate with other NJBWC staff in building the organization outreach and membership.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with the NJBWC communications team to supply content about the NJTN for our website, state and regional news, email newsletter, blog and social media.
• Manage grant requirements and deliver work products on time and on budget.
• Develop detailed progress reports on the NJTN in collaboration with leaders, partner agencies, and organizations. 
• Represent NJBWC in trail-based coalitions and meetings including New Jersey Trails Action Network (NJTAN).
• Work in coordination with the NJBWC communications team, respond to or help direct to the most appropriate party inquiries by the public, our partners, and media related to the NJTN.
• Maintain files, a database of contacts, and email groups as needed for your communication within the region.
• Create a work plan to implement the above tasks and report on progress, issues, and barriers on a regular basis.
• Support the growth and presence of NJBWC in the region.
• Assist with other tasks as assigned.

The Manager will work remotely but preference is for the candidate to be located in the 6-county project area for the NJTN (Morris, Passaic, Essex, Bergen, Hudson, Union). The Manager must be able to travel frequently within the region for in-field research, meetings, events, and site visits. Work hours will include some evenings and occasional weekends.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Approximately 5 years’ experience in project/program management in some combination of the following backgrounds: active transportation and equitable mobility planning/advocacy; trail development; urban and regional planning; landscape architecture; nonprofit management; coalition and organizational capacity building; community engagement and advocacy campaigns.
• A solid understanding of the process of moving a trail project from concept through advocacy, planning, funding, design and construction.
• Excellent research, writing, public speaking and time management skills.
• Project management experience, including developing work plans, tracking tasks and budgets, record-keeping, documentation and file management.
• Ability to identify funding for collaborative projects.
• Proficiency in Excel and standard Microsoft Office programs.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

• MA in one the following areas: urban planning, transportation planning, architecture, landscape design, land use policy
• Familiarity with bicycling, pedestrian, complete street, greenway development and mobility equity issues in New Jersey.
• Experience in advocacy campaigns for policy initiatives in New Jersey.
• Familiarity with the fundamentals of active-transportation project funding programs, planning and design guidance in New Jersey.
• Proficiency in graphic content creation.
• Proficiency in GIS.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Compensation

Salary hiring range: $70,000 - 90,000.

This is a full-time position with salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• 15 paid vacation days per year
• Paid travel expenses
• FICA, Medicare, unemployment security, workers’ compensation
• Health insurance available via group policy. NJBWC covers 90% of premium for medical and 50% dental & vision for employee.
• Retirement plan contribution matching (up to 3%).

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume, subject line Trails Network Manager Position, highlighting your interest and fit to this position to: kagan@njbwc.org

Deadline to apply: Sunday, September 15, 2024.

The New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition is an equal opportunity employer and embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.