We’re Hiring: Trail Rangers

Do you love being outdoors and connecting with people? Want to be part of a collaborative trail team in DC this summer and be paid to engage with folks about trails and fix trails?

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is looking for five passionate and energetic professional trail champions with a wide range of skills and experiences for our 2020 Trail Ranger Team. We are looking for people who are dependable and thoughtful. Beyond this, there is not a standard job history, experience of biking, years of experience or skills set for previously successful Trail Rangers. Now in our eighth season, the Trail Ranger program is a beloved presence on local trails and has a strong reputation as a great working environment with high job satisfaction.

WABA’s Trail Ranger program encourages trail use through daily trail presence, community engagement, trail maintenance, and trail user assistance. Reporting to our Outreach Manager, Trail Rangers cover trails within the District, including the Metropolitan Branch Trail, Anacostia River Trail, Marvin Gaye Trail, and connecting street routes. Trail Rangers act as trail ambassadors, offering a consistent and friendly presence from May through September to make the trails more approachable, enjoyable, and dependable for transportation and recreation.

Intangible benefits include: working outside on those perfect spring days, getting to know your city better through talking with neighbors, and appreciation from fellow trail users. 

The Trail Ranger season is expected to begin May 4th and end on September 31st, 2020. Pay will be $16.50 per hour for new Trail Rangers, and $17.50 per hour for returning Trail Rangers. WABA announces shift schedules well in advance and the program is designed to work for part-time employment knowing employees have other work and life commitments. 

You can learn more about the Trail Ranger program here.

Job 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 on an 8 hour shift.
• Collaborate with team members to determine daily priorities and share program information. 
• Support and encourage trail use with friendly and helpful trail presence, regular maintenance efforts and consistent outreach events
• 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.

• Run cleanups and community events with the program coordinator.
• Manage volunteers joining the team at events and on daily shifts. 
• Perform inspections of trail conditions and maintenance of trail corridors including pruning branches, gathering trash, and removing obstructions.
• Make regular reports on daily trail conditions, needs, and trends..
• Be outside in all weather, with the exemption of thunderstorms and other hazardous conditions.
• Each team member will be individually responsible for an operational project, including: team bike maintenance, tools maintenance, and shift supplies.
• Learn about the trails, and neighborhoods served by the trails. 
• Assist at other WABA events as needed.

Qualifications

Trail Rangers must have:

• A proven track record for being dependable, timely, and communicative.
• The willingness to be positive and engaging in a public setting.
• The willingness and enthusiasm to work in a collaborative team and as a proactive, self starter. 
• The capacity to be available for 16-24 hours per week in 8 hour shifts with weekday and weekend availability. Shifts are:
  • 6:30 am – 2:30 pm or 11:00 am – 7:00 pm on weekdays.
  • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on weekends.
• A commitment to work May 4th to September 31st, 2020.
• The ability to ride a bike with a willingness to ride in mixed city traffic and off-street trails while pulling a trailer.
• A commitment to being a safe and exemplary bicyclist.
• A commitment to respect, include, and be kind to all.
• An understanding of how race, gender, and other factors shape conversations and experiences. 
• The willingness to further their knowledge on trail and neighborhood history, and the societal impacts of race, gender and identity and how they intersect with their job. 

Additional qualifications and experience that are helpful but not required:

• A proven track record for working collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent communication skills in informal settings and across lines of difference.
• Creative problem-solving skills and capacity to innovate.
• The ability to prioritize and a thoughtful attention to detail
• Lived experience with our program trails and the surrounding neighborhoods

Trail Rangers operate as a team program and benefit from the unique skills and talents of each team member. Ideally, one or more Trail Rangers will have:

• Working knowledge of basic bicycle maintenance including patching a flat tire and adjusting brakes.
• Fluency in Spanish, ASL or Amharic a strong plus.
• Previous experience as a DC Trail Ranger.

Support

WABA is committed to:

• Teaching you the skills necessary for the job (urban bike riding, basic trail maintenance, basic bike maintenance, how to do bicycle outreach)
• Ensuring an inclusive, collaborative professional team environment
• Run an intersectional outreach program that recognizes the multitudes of identities and promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity for employees and the public
• Orientation and team management that prioritizes your well-being, including training in preventing common biking injuries.
• Doing our best to have a consistent schedule that respects your time and outside obligations.
• Providing all the tools, bikes and materials needed to perform the job.

Apply

This position is part-time from May 4th, 2020 through September 31st, 2020 for approximately 20 hours per week. 

Please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@test.waba.org with “Trail Ranger” as the subject line. Please make sure your application illustrates how you meet the qualifications for the job and what additional skills you would bring to the team. 

Here are some helpful resources as you prepare your job application materials: compilation of resources and resume basics.  

Applications will be accepted until March 23rd though candidates are strongly encouraged to apply earlier. Phone interviews will begin March 30th, hiring decisions will be made by April 15th and team orientation will be May 4th – May 7th. Phone calls at (202) 518-0524 x208 only if you do not have easy internet access 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.