| Job Description: |
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a national nonprofit organization advocating healthier lifestyles by creating a nationwide network of public trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Founded in 1986, RTC is one of the most respected trail advocacy organizations in the nation with more than 150,000 members and supporters. After helping create more than 20,000 miles of rail-trail during the last 25 years, RTC has an ambitious goal for the future: by 2020, 90 percent of Americans will live within three miles of a trailsystem. RTC is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
RTC operates the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC) as part of a cooperative agreement with the Federal Highway Administration. NTEC is part of RTC and is housed in the same offices in downtown Washington, D.C. NTEC works to provide professionals, policymakers and citizens with information about Transportation Enhancements (TE), including maintaining a comprehensive database of projects throughout the country and analysis of annual spending.
The Technical Assistance Coordinator (TAC) position is part of the national office program department staff. The TAC will support our place-based trail development and Urban Pathways Initiative work and contribute to our online national learning network. There will be a strong emphasis on the use of technology to provide technical assistance, education and training to trail advocates across the country. The TAC will also support NTEC's communications and project-based work.
Job Location:
This position is located in RTC's national office in the West End/Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and is easily accessible by Metro's Red, Orange and Blue lines. RTC strongly supports bicycling, walking and use of public transit to commute to work.
Job Duties:
For both trail development and Transportation Enhancements funding, the Technical Assistance Coordinator provides technical assistance to the public and staff, manages Web-based technical assistance resources, tracks and records trail-related and TE-related information, oversees all the functions related to the trails database, and maintains the NTEC website. Additionally, this position supports place-based project work, including implementation of the Urban Pathways Initiative and the Transportation Enhancements Excellence Certificate Program.
Technical Duties:
• Web-Based Resources: Content management and maintenance of two multi-tiered informational and interactive websites, RTC's Trail-Building Toolbox and NTEC. Both of these sites include searchable resource data bases, technical briefs, case studies and listserv communities;
• Urban Pathways Online Support: Assist with management of Urban Pathways online resources including resource library, listserv, TrailBlog and social media messaging;
• NTEC Newsletter: Research, write and lay out a two-page quarterly newsletter on Transportation Enhancements, "TE Corner";
• Transportation Enhancements Excellence Certificate: Administer the certificate program, including receiving and verifying applications, and convening a rotating quarterly commission to review the applications and award the certificates;
• Collect, input and maintain information on trails, trail projects, trail contacts and railroad corridor abandonments in RTC's relational database;
• Work with GIS Specialist to create trail maps for internal and external use;
• Assist with research and administrative tasks;
• Train staff in use of database software for capturing, updating and using trail information;
• Provide outreach and technical assistance services online.
Programmatic Duties:
• Transportation Enhancements Professional Seminar:
* A ~40-person annual, invitation-only training seminar hosted by NTEC for state and federal professionals working with Transportation Enhancements;
* Coordinate development of agenda content;
* Lead contact on logistical arrangements with hotel, catering, transportation and events;
* Produce proceedings document as a record of the event;
• Early Warning System for rail corridor abandonments:
* Monitor the Surface Transportation Board website in order to learn of pending abandonments, capture filing and decision information, and information on the disposition of particular rail corridors;
* Ensure timely notification of corridor abandonment filings to local, regional and state trail contacts;
• Provide technical assistance to trail builders, managers and advocates"
* Respond to emails, phone calls and letters requesting RTC's technical assistance (TA)
* Moderate trail development listserv with 1,000 members;
• Trail Planning/Urban Pathways Initiative: Work with trail development team on place-based projects throughout the country and assist in the development and implementation of a new national program for urban pathways:
* Assist in community workshops, presentations, trainings and assessments;
* Conduct research for RTC feasibility studies and reports;
• Assist with other trail development and trail policy related business as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None. This position will report directly to the Manager of Trail Development.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have:
• B.S. or B.A. degree from a college or university in transportation, urban or land use planning, the environment, community development or a related field. Preferred minimum of two years experience (nonprofit background a plus)
• Excellent database management skills
• Excellent website content development skills
• Advanced working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
• Interest in community-based planning and organization
• An interest in non-motorized transportation planning and implementation
• Excellent written and oral skills
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Proficiency in ArcGIS software desirable
• If possible, knowledge of database reporting and SQL
Work Environment:
Normal office setting with low to moderate noise level.
Employer's Rights:
RTC reserves the right to revise, change or reclassify this job description at any time in accordance with RTC's business needs. This job description is by no means an implied contract.
How to Apply: (please choose only one form of transmitting your resume; no phone calls)
Send cover letter and resume as soon as possible to: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Duke Ellington Building, Attn: Human Resources, 2121 Ward Court, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037, or email to: elton@railstotrails.org. RTC is an equal opportunity employer and seeks qualified candidates regardless of race, color, gender, disability or national origin. Women and diverse applicants are encouraged to apply.
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