Washington Trails Association preserves, enhances, and promotes hiking opportunities in Washington state. We value stewardship and volunteerism; cooperation and partnership; community and inclusion. WTA is the largest state-based hiking advocacy and volunteer trail maintenance organization in the country with a growing base of more than 15,000 member households.

The Statewide Engagement Manager fosters hiker engagement in WTA’s work to protecting hiking trails and public lands. The ideal candidate will be motivated to empower people to contribute to WTA’s mission. This is a full-time exempt position that reports to the Communication Director, although close coordination with the Advocacy Director is required.

The Statewide Engagement Manager educates, engages and organizes hikers across Washington to better understand their connection to public lands — and what they can do to make a difference. Working with the Membership Manager, the Statewide Engagement Manager builds and strengthens WTA membership by providing opportunities for personal contact and engagement.

The Statewide Engagement Manager also provides opportunities for hikers in Washington to make a direct policy impact on the issues that affect trails—working with the Advocacy Director and Regional Advocacy Coordinator to identify and develop engagement campaigns on key local, state and federal advocacy issues.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Manage WTA’s Outreach program (40%):

• Coordinate logistics and publicity for WTA’s signature outreach events such as Hike the State, Trails and Ales, Washington Trails Day and others as identified
• Organize and make presentations at meetings and clinics and staff events associated with WTA outreach activities
• Expand WTA’s partnerships around diversity, equity and inclusion
• Work with WTA’s core programs and Regional Managers to support outreach activities statewide

• Identify and develop content for WTA’s member oriented magazine articles and blog posts that highlight the value of WTA’s work
• Working with the digital content team, develop content for WTA’s blog on priority issues

Develop the Washington Trails Ambassador program (30%):

• Grow WTA’s hiker engagement across the state through the development and implementation of the Washington Trails Ambassador program

• Recruit, train and manage volunteer base to assist with outreach

• Develop contacts with other related hiking organizations and their members
• Identify and cultivate advocates in key regions, including southwest, eastern and central Washington
• Track member engagement to promote further cultivation by WTA staff

Assist with Statewide Advocacy (20%):

• Identify and develop engagement campaigns for WTA’s programs, in particular, advocacy
• Work with the Digital Content Manager to develop digital campaigns to advance WTA’s advocacy issues among hikers
• Identify and develop blogs, handouts and other materials for advocacy program, as needed

Other duties as assigned (10%)

Desired Skills, Experience and Attributes

• At least 3 years of program coordination experience including grassroots organizing, event planning and communications, preferably with a nonprofit organization
• Cultural competency skills and demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds. Ability to work with multiple stakeholders at all organizational levels, internally and externally
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively when writing and speaking
• Volunteer management experience, including recruitment and training
• Strategic thinker, with the ability to map daily responsibilities to the organization’s mission and goals
• Strong online engagement tool skills, preferably with a system such as Campaign Monitor or Soapbox Engage
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience using social media to engage volunteers is a plus
• Has a “what else can I do” mindset
• Strong organizational skills including attention to detail, and ability to create efficiencies and build investment in systems. Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines in an ever-changing environment while maintaining a commitment to excellence
• Commitment to WTA’s mission and values

Compensation, Schedule and Location

The compensation range for this position is $41,000 to $43,000 annually. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance; retirement plan; transit pass; and holiday, vacation and sick leave. This position is based in downtown Seattle with periodic field responsibilities statewide. Schedule will include occasional work on evenings and weekends.

To Apply

Email a cover letter, resume, 350-word (maximum) writing sample and two references in a single pdf to jobs@wta.org. Reference the job title “Statewide Engagement Manager” in the subject line. This position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by February 8.