Natural Surface Trails Specialist

This position will take part in new construction and maintenance of natural surface trails, bike parks, skill courses, and other related amenities throughout Prince George’s County. They also take part in trails programming efforts to broaden the use of park trails, including coordinating events, activities, volunteers, and programs. 

The Natural Surface Trails Specialist, under supervision and independently, carries out work according to established standard methodologies, policies and procedures and resolves commonly encountered problems by selecting and applying or implementing and adjusting the applicable guidelines. The incumbent keeps the supervisor informed and seeks assistance and advice when needed. Work is evaluated in terms of effectiveness in meeting objectives, quality, quantity, timeliness, teamwork, customer service and other factors as use of skill and resourcefulness in overcoming technical and non-technical problems. 

Ideally, the candidate will be an active and avid natural surface trail user and understand the different user-groups’ needs and interests while trails are planned, designed and implemented.

This position will involve physically working in the field with the team on trail creation and maintenance throughout the year. Use of chain saws, power tools, mini skid steer and other equipment, and lifting heavy items required. This is an in-person job with no telework. The work schedule is 5 days per week, which includes an average of 2 weekend days per month.

Examples of Important Duties

 

• Follows the plans and directions of the Natural Surface Trails Program Manager.
• Maintains and cleans equipment, reports and submits broken equipment to be repaired, sharpens saws and hand tools, keeps workspace clean and organized.
• Removes downed trees and other deadfall.
• Reports and repairs trail issues.
• Provides recommendations and feedback to the Program Manager.
• Creates planned natural surface trails using hand tools and power equipment.
• Independently solves problems in the field.
• Develops and strengthens relationships with trail user groups, such as hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers.
• Serves on assigned committees related to natural surface trails.
• Coordinates with and provides direction and leadership for volunteers.
• Leads occasional natural surface trail hikes and/or bike rides for the public.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Basic knowledge of the principles and concepts of maintenance and implementation of natural surface trails.
• Knowledge of current trends and new practices involving natural surface trail design and construction.
• Skill to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract) to solve a problem.
• Skill in communication to understand verbal and written information (including facts, assertions and arguments), draw inferences, form hypotheses and develop logical arguments, and express such information so that others will understand and, in some situations, agree, comply or take other desired action.
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with contacts in a businesslike, customer-service oriented manner; this includes skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and working as a member or a leader of a team.
• Skill in using a computer, modern office suite software (such as MS Office) with GIS ability being a plus.
• Ability to read a map and create GPS points on a smartphone.
• Skill in using hand tools, such as rakes, shovels, loppers, pruners, sledgehammers, Pulaski’s, etc.
• Skill in using power tools such as, drills, blowers, chainsaws, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Basic experience in natural surface trail construction and maintenance.
2. Basic knowledge of sustainable natural surface trail construction guidelines.
3. Experience leading volunteer trail crews.
4. Experience using hand tools.
5. Experience using chainsaws and other power tools.

Working Conditions:

Primarily, work outside. May be required to work occasional weekends. Exposed to weather, dirt, wildlife, and potentially harmful insects (e.g., bees, hornets, wasps) and plants (e.g., poison ivy). Some pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to occasionally lift up to 100 pounds and regularly up to 50 pounds. May be subject to various job demands such as high volume of work, tight deadlines and extended hours. Includes working outdoors, in all weather, building and/or maintaining natural surface trails.

 

Minimum Qualifications

A. High school diploma or Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).

B. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in ground maintenance, golf course maintenance, building maintenance or park maintenance.

C.An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total five (5) years.

D. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations.  Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.   

E. Pass Commission medical examination.

F. Depending upon an assignment, positions in this class may require within 12 months of hire (a) Commercial driver’s license with appropriate endorsements; (b) obtainment of certifications including:

• Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Applicator certification in the categories appropriate to the work assignment;
• Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Professional Fertilizer Applicator certification; and
• National Playground Safety Institute certification. 

 

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification Parks/Facilities Maintenance Leader

May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.