We’re Hiring: Part-Time Trail Rangers

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is looking for six passionate and energetic trail champions with a wide diversity of skills for our 2017 Trail Ranger Team to serve trails and the people who use them throughout the District of Columbia. WABA’s Trail Ranger program encourages trail use through daily trail presence, improved upkeep, trail user assistance and community engagement. Trail Rangers act as trail ambassadors, offering a consistent and friendly presence April through September on DC’s mixed-use trails to make them more approachable, enjoyable, and dependable for transportation and recreation. Reporting to our DC Trail Ranger Coordinator, Trail Rangers roam nearly 24 trail miles within the District by bicycle, including the Metropolitan Branch Trail, Anacostia River Trail, Suitland Parkway Trail, Marvin Gaye Trail, and connecting street routes. You can learn more about the Trail Ranger program here.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Spend the majority of your work hours outside, biking on or between trails.
• Work in shifts with a partner riding bikes at a relaxed, conversational pace, up to 25 miles in a 8 hour shift.
• Support and encourage trail use with friendly and helpful trail presence, regular maintenance efforts and consistent outreach events, including:
  • Morning coffee outreach.
  • Trail rides.
  • Activity days with local organizations.
• Help lower barriers to bicycling, build community and build a more robust trail network.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with regular trail users and community members.
  • Bring new users to the trail through community outreach and engagement.
  • Individual conversations with trail neighbors and community groups.

• Plan and lead cleanup days and community events alongside the program coordinator.
• Perform inspections of trail conditions and maintenance of trail corridors including pruning branches, gathering trash, removing obstructions and clearing debris.
• Make regular reports on daily trail conditions, needs, and trends.
• Work with the program coordinator and city agencies to respond to recurring or major trail maintenance issues.
• Document events, trail updates and developments to keep trail users informed.
• Be outside in all weather, with the exemption of thunderstorms and other hazardous conditions.
• Assist at other WABA events as needed.

Requirements

Candidates must have:

• A proven track record and enthusiasm for working within a team.
• A proven track record for being dependable, timely and communicative.
• The ability to be positive, engaging and approachable in a public setting.
• The ability to thrive in a day-to-day self-directed, self-supervised work environment.
• The capacity to be available for 16-24 hours per week in 8 hour shifts,
  • Shifts are 6:30 am – 2:30 pm and 11:00 am – 7:00 pm on weekdays, and 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on weekends.
• A commitment to work March 31st to September 30th 2017.
• The ability to ride a bike up to 30 miles in mixed city traffic and off street trails pulling an up to 40 lbs trailer.
• The ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• A commitment to being a safe and exemplary bicyclist.
• A commitment to respect, include, and be kind to all.

Ideal candidates will have:

• A firm commitment to WABA’s mission.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Confidence interacting with and serving the public.
• Creative problem-solving skills and capacity to innovate.
• The ability to organize time wisely and juggle multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of the principles of safe bicycling and traffic laws in DC.
• Competence with basic bicycle maintenance including patching a flat tire and adjusting brakes.
• Spanish proficiency or ASL proficiency a strong plus.

WABA is committed to:

• Providing opportunities to learn new skills.
• Promoting and building an inclusive, collaborative team environment.
• Doing our best to have a consistent schedule that respects your time and outside obligations.

This position is part-time from March 29th, 2017 through September 30, 2017 for approximately 16 – 24 hours per week. Compensation is $15.50 per hour. Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@test.waba.org with “Trail Ranger” as the subject line. Applications will be accepted until February 20th though candidates are strongly encouraged to apply earlier. No phone calls please. WABA is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, arrest record or criminal convictions, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, sex, or age.