Job Openings

Program Manager — Accessible Trails & Sisters Trail Additions & Realignment (STAR) Projects

Year-round | Half-time | ~20 hours/week | $28–$30/hour

Primarily remote and field work in Sisters, Oregon

Reports to Executive Director

Application deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM — Email resume and cover letter to stephanie@sisterstrails.org

About the role

The Program Manager carries primary responsibility for the Accessible Trails project while providing key support for the Sisters Trails Additions & Realignment (STAR) project. You will lead implementation of the "Expanding and Rating Accessible Trails in Sisters Country" multi-year initiative — with a goal of making Sisters Country the first 100% verified accessible trail system in Oregon for users with disabilities and mobility challenges.

For the STAR project, you will support volunteer project leads and teams on construction and reroutes of the first major trail expansion in 15 years, ensuring compliance with U.S. Forest Service guidelines and coordination with partner organizations.

Essential duties

Project & grant management

  • Oversee project timelines, milestones, deliverables, reporting requirements, and overall coordination for the Accessible Trails project (Visit Central Oregon Future Fund grant and Travel Oregon Recreation Ready Program)

  • Provide project support for the STAR project, working closely with assigned volunteer project leads for each trail

  • Serve as primary lead for the Accessible Trails Assessment Team; coordinate volunteer schedules and manage georeferenced data collection

  • Track progress, maintain detailed records including volunteer hours and reports, and prepare regular updates for leadership and funders

  • Manage scheduling, communications, and facilitation for the Project Steering Committee and technical workgroups

Accessibility assessment & technical integration

  • Manage a comprehensive accessibility audit across the 200-mile trail system during the 2026–2027 seasons, coordinating with specialized consultants and volunteer teams

  • Coordinate and participate in on-site trail assessments using verified accessibility standards

  • Learn and apply technical assessment methods, and integrate accessibility data into public maps, signage, and digital platforms

STAR project support & partner coordination

  • Support volunteer STAR project leads and teams by ensuring all work follows U.S. Forest Service guidelines, design requirements, and protocols

  • Coordinate with partner organizations (OET, COTA, SECT, FCCW) on trail work parties and project activities

  • Draft work party recruitment emails and communications for the Volunteer Manager

  • Compile and consolidate volunteer hour reports from STA and partner organizations

  • Facilitate communication and collaboration between volunteer STAR project leads and external partners

Volunteer leadership & training

  • Recruit, train, and support volunteers for the Accessible Trails project to ensure high engagement and retention

  • Coordinate training programs conducted by accessibility consultants on assessment methods and adaptive recreation

  • Act as a relationship builder across volunteers, volunteer project leads, partners, and stakeholders

Outreach & community engagement

  • Plan and facilitate outreach meetings and community engagement sessions for the Accessible Trails and STAR projects

  • Support execution of the annual Inclusive Recreation Community Day

  • Manage program-specific communications, including consistent social media and digital promotion

  • Provide administrative support for partnership agreements and sponsor relationships

Required qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience in program or project management (nonprofit or outdoor recreation experience preferred)

  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills

  • Strong organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple timelines and deliverables

  • High degree of initiative and ability to work independently with minimal supervision

  • Proficiency with Google Workspace and Zoom; ability to quickly learn new digital tools (CRM, Better Impact, Squarespace, mapping platforms)

  • Willingness to learn accessibility standards (ADA/Universal Design), technical trail assessment methods, and U.S. Forest Service guidelines

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience managing grant-funded programs and volunteer teams

  • Familiarity with outdoor recreation, trail maintenance, accessibility standards, adaptive programs, and/or U.S. Forest Service trail projects

  • Experience with digital mapping tools, trail applications, or similar data systems

Supervisory responsibility

This position has no direct staff reports but provides functional oversight of project volunteers, volunteer STAR project leads, workgroups, and coordination with external partners.

Work environment & requirements

  • Primarily remote (work-from-home or community workspaces) with occasional field work for trail assessments, work parties, and community events

  • Must provide own reliable computer, phone, and internet connection; standard office equipment such as a printer may be provided

  • Reliable personal transportation required for trail visits, meetings, and events

  • Evening and weekend hours occasionally required for committee, community meetings, and special events

  • Year-round position averaging 20 hours per week with flexible scheduling

Physical demands

The role involves occasional biking/hiking or using adaptive equipment on trails (up to several miles in a day) to conduct accessibility assessments and site visits in variable outdoor conditions.

Project information: Accessible Trails Project and STAR Projects. Press releases can be found on our News page.

To apply, email your resume and cover letter to stephanie@sisterstrails.org.

Deadline: June 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Sisters Trails Alliance is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 46-4076992

Trails for Everyone!