Soul Dirt Coordinator

SUMMARY:

The Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA) is happy to announce the opening for a seasonal full-time Soul Dirt Coordinator (SDC). Coordination of the Soul Dirt program will be the main focus of the SDC. Soul Dirt was launched in 2022 to increase access to sustainable recreation for the health of everyone in our community. The programming offered includes free VVMTA-led outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking, and backpacking, as well as community outreach events. These aim to break down barriers to outdoor access for diverse groups, while also fostering a connection to nature, a sense of belonging, and responsible stewardship of our trails and public lands. Responsibilities include coordinating with the Program Manager, organizing and overseeing program tasks, supervising program Ambassadors, recruiting participants, partnering with community organizations, monitoring and reporting program impact, managing communications, and planning and leading recreation events.

 

ABOUT THE VVMTA:

The VVMTA is Eagle County, CO’s leading trail advocacy organization, striving to connect our community to the outdoors through sustainable recreation.. We promote stewardship of our public lands, sustainable trail building practices and a balance between recreation and conservation. We manage trail advocacy programs such as Adopt A Trail and Trail Ambassadors, coordinate and train volunteers, educate trail users, and contribute our talents, guidance and time to support local land managers in various soft surface trail initiatives.

 

LOCATION: Eagle County, CO

 

DATES & TIME:

● Full-time, seasonal non-exempt position

● May-October

● 36-40 hours per week

● Primary schedule is Monday – Friday with flexibility

● Must be able to work evenings and weekends

 

POSITION DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Support Program Manager in all aspects of Soul Dirt program

● Manage and support contract Ambassadors and volunteers

● Facilitate program events for diverse audiences including mountain bike rides, hikes, backpacking trips and trail work days, independently or with Ambassadors, volunteers and staff

● Staff outreach tent at community events (Pride in the Park, Fiestas Americas, etc.)

● Schedule and promote seasonal events

● Support Program Manager recruit and retain program participants from partner networks, VVMTA volunteer base, and general public

● Manage pre and “day of show” event logistics, including but not limited to: bike f leet arrangements, securing program supplies, facilitating food & beverage, and communicating event details, expectations, special considerations, changes, etc with participants, partners and Ambassadors

● Manage and refine processes to track program engagement and long-term impact, including but not limited to, Ambassador logs and participant feedback forms and surveys

● Manage communication with program participants, partner organizations and Ambassadors

● Contribute to newsletters and other marketing and development materials

● Manage backend of Soul Dirt event calendar, event registration software and other web-based tools

● Maintain and organize vehicle(s), gear and equipment, including bike fleet and accessories

● Participate in professional development opportunities

● Frequently interact with the public and communicate program’s goals and results

● Frequently interact with the public and communicate VVMTA’s mission and the value of recreation in our community.

● Represent the VVMTA, its partners, and local land managers in a respectful and competent manner 

● Ability to work in an office environment and perform administrative tasks

● Wear “many hats”, support team members in their initiatives, and perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager and Executive Director

 

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

● Required program coordination experience with an emphasis on outdoor recreation, education and/or environmental stewardship

● Experience facilitating events and/or educational opportunities for diverse groups of people

● Experience managing staff

● Values physical, mental, social and other benefits of outdoor experiences

● Values justice, equity and inclusion (in the outdoors)

● Required understanding of our local trails and experience mountain biking, hiking, trail running, backpacking, etc.

● Knowledge of trail maintenance and construction of sustainable soft surface trail, primarily for non-motorized use is helpful

● Experience and understanding of working in the nonprofit sector

● Experience working with community partners, land management agencies and other government entities

● Passion, integrity, positive attitude, and a self-directed entrepreneurial spirit ● Passion for trails, stewardship, and the importance of a balance between recreation and conservation

● Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

● Ability to tow bike trailer

● Ability to work independently in the office and in the field

● Proficient with email and Google Workspace with willingness to learn higher level tech tools/platforms

● Ability to use mapping software and create maps is a plus

● Personable and able to work within a customer service-based environment that involves routine interaction with the public

● Ability to work outdoors for long hours, performing manual labor in all types of conditions 

● Competency to make judgment calls in the field in regards to safety for participants in the program

● Possess a strong attention to detail

● Basic bike maintenance knowledge/skills is a plus

● Basic outdoor survival skills is a plus

● Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder is a plus

● Positive attitude with versatility to adapt to a changing work environment

● Spanish speaking preferred

● College degree preferred but not required

● At least 2 years of relevant experience

● Must be 21 years of age or older with clean driving record

● U.S. Citizen with required forms of identification

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

● Frequently required to stand, sit, walk, crouch, climb and squat

● Frequently required to walk on uneven or unstable surfaces

● Frequently required to hike or bike 1-4 miles a day

● Frequently required to travel within Eagle County and work remotely

● Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity

● Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl

● Frequent exposure to heat and cold

● Frequently required to lift and carry 25lbs

● Occasionally required to hike or bike upwards of 5-10 miles a day

● Occasionally required to lift 50lbs

● Occasionally required to be exposed to wet and/ or humid conditions

● Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts

● Occasionally work in high, precarious places

● Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals

● Continually exposed to outside weather conditions

● Willingness to travel (within Eagle County) 

 

BENEFITS:

● Access to outdoor industry pro deals

● Housing stipend available ($250 per month based average 32 hours worked) ● Paid time off for holiday, vacation, and sick

● Team events

● Staff apparel (t-shirts, sun shirt, hats, sweatshirt, pants, socks, footwear stipend)

● Gas/fuel stipend

● Cell phone stipend

● Employee Assistance Program through Vail Health’s Mountain Strong program

 

COMPENSATION:

● $18.00/hr – $25.00/hr – commensurate with experience