Organizational Mission

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Position Description

The Regional Manager (RM) for the portion of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina and Tennessee, from Fontana Dam in North Carolina, through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, to Spivey Gap (approximately 200 miles), serves as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s primary representative in this area. The RM functions as a partnership liaison that implements and manages, coordinates or supports identified programs and projects within this Trail section. The Regional Manager strengthens and enhances the mission of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and supports the volunteer stewardship and management of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (ANST). This position is responsible for management of seasonal staff including (but not limited to) Smokies ridge runners, S.W.E.A.T. trail crew, and Rocky Top trail crew. This position also oversees a base camp facility.

Who We Are

Established in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) leads the effort to protect, maintain and celebrate the A.T. We are part of a unique cooperative-management system, working with a number of local, state, and federal partners to ensure greater protections for the Trail. Our partners include the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, dozens of state agencies, and 31 local Trail Maintaining Clubs. We believe everyone should have the opportunity for a life-changing discovery on the A.T.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Partnerships Liaison
Serves as the primary organizational liaison to the Appalachian Trail clubs including the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and Carolina Mountain Club. The position:

  • Briefs local management partners regarding ATC strategic direction, policies, programs and projects.

  • Provides club leadership with the appropriate paperwork and training to respond to work-related incidents and submit federal volunteer worker claims.

  • Provides assistance, training and technical expertise, where appropriate.

  • Participates in club and agency meetings and work trips Develops working relationships and alliances with identified organizations that strengthen the capacity of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Cooperative Management System.

  • Ensures club MOU’s, volunteer agreements, and local management plans are up to date.

  • Supports renewal processes for state MOUs as requested.

  • Supports communication among non-A.T. club partnerships including land trusts, Natural Resource stewards and partners from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion focused organizations.

Project Management
Full cycle management of identified regional projects while ensuring good communications throughout the management partnership. Projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Contract administration and collaborative management of federally funded trail repair and reconstruction efforts such as trail crew projects, shelter restoration, demolitions, etc.
  • Project planning and environmental review process including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state environmental assessment compliance planning for identified projects.
  • With other A.T. protection partners, assess and develop appropriate responses to external threats to corridor lands and the A.T. footpath. Under the supervision of the relevant Regional Director, and with the support of other director level senior staff, draft comments, testifies at public hearings or negotiates directly with developers to minimize impact of threats. Land conservation opportunities that benefit the ANST in partnership with private, local, state, and federal partners

Resource Management

  • Support Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) monitoring and management with partners.

  • Support resource management staff with forest health initiatives, wildlife habitat management, and ecological restoration projects.

  • Collaborative local management planning process including:

    • Annual capital planning for active projects as well as projects up to 5 years ahead

    • Regular trail assessments, which are required to meet federal funding requirements

    • Grant requests and procurement for non-federally funded projects

    • Follow-through with collaboratively planned implementation strategies Serve on the Visitor Use Management council to mitigate visitor impact at popular trail destinations such as Max Patch

Public Relations/Community Engagement

  • Implements ATC’s response to emergencies and ANST-related incidents.

  • Coordinates with the Regional Director regarding the submission of promotional public relations and communications materials.

  • Provides visitor information services to the general public as needed. Attends public events to promote ATC membership and recruit AT volunteers in cooperation with local AT clubs.

  • Engage regional and local partners, including community organizations, businesses, schools, and agencies to participate in AT stewardship, recreation, and management.

Administration

  • Collaborate with ATC regional staff in program planning, development, and budget management.

  • Attend regional and national staff and partnership meetings and retreats.

  • Complete accurate and timely expense reports, timesheets, and purchasing procedures Manage seasonal staff timecard approvals and expense reports.

Qualifications & Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, recreation management, resource management or related field; with 3-5 years of experience required.

  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and relationships concurrently with excellent organizational and communication skills, in an environment with minimal direct daily supervision.

  • Ability to work collaboratively within the Cooperative Management System, including state and federal agency partners, volunteer constituencies, alliance organizations, community and business leaders, and media representatives.

  • Ability and commitment to be fully engaged in a dispersed yet cohesive staff team structure.

  • Excellent analytical and critical evaluation skills.

  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

  • Experience or training in personal computer operations, including Microsoft Office suite, and ESRI ArcMap GIS software.

  • Familiarity with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, hikers, conservation volunteerism and related fields is desirable.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

  • Extensive travel and evening and weekend work will be required.

  • Use of personal vehicle for work-related travel with reimbursable mileage is expected.

  • Frequently communicates with individuals by phone, email, virtual meeting, and in-person.

  • Regularly transports light to moderate weight.

  • Regularly traverses long distances over rugged terrain in all seasons and weather conditions to provide physical inspection of remote Trail locations.

  • Moderate noise level due to open office environment with a high level of activity on the phone, computers, and printers.

Additional Details

  • The salary range for this position is $57,000 – $64,000 annually.
  • COVID-19 vaccination will be required for this position as a condition of employment. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
  • Heath, dental, and vision insurance available .
  • Organization paid long-term and life insurance provided.
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service.

To Apply

To apply for this position, please submit an application packet via our ADP application portal.

Click here to apply

ATC Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness with all employees and volunteers to enable participation and contributions to their fullest potential.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive organization and recognize that diversity contributes to an effective and successful organizational culture and mission.

The ATC prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, political affiliation, union membership, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the locations where we operate.

Click here to view the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Identity Statement