Land Stewardship and Trails Manager (20587224)

Under general direction, plans, organizes, manages, and oversees all functions and activities of the Land
Stewardship and Trails Department, including oversight of construction, modification, maintenance, and
repair of District trails, drainage infrastructure, parking areas, and other low-intensity public access
facilities. Also responsible for the oversight of resource management activities, including fuel reduction,
vegetation management, site restoration, sedimentation treatments and erosion control. Coordinates
assigned activities with and fosters cooperative working relationships among other District departments,
officials, outside agencies, and the public; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance
to the Visitor and Field Services Assistant General Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related
work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Visitor and Field Services Assistant General Manager. The work
provides for a variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory
guidelines. Exercises general direction and supervision over management, supervisory, professional,
technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of management and supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is an at will Department Manager classification that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities
of the Land Stewardship and Trails Department, including short- and long-term planning, development,
and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the
Visitor and Field Services Assistant General Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative,
analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy,
District functions and activities, including the role of the Board of Directors, and the ability to develop,
oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating
the activities of the department with those of other departments and outside agencies and managing and
overseeing the complex and varied functions of the department. The incumbent is accountable for
accomplishing departmental planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering the District’s
mission, goals, and objectives within general policy guidelines.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different
positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential
functions of the job. 

Assumes full management responsibility for all Land Stewardship and Trails Department programs,

projects, services, and activities. 
Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and

work standards for the department; establishes, within District policy, appropriate budget, service, and
staffing levels. 

Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget;
directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, consultants, contractors, equipment,
materials, and supplies, including fleet needs which are communicated to the Facilities and Fleet

Land Stewardship and Trails Manager

Manager for budget and programming considerations; directs the monitoring of and approves
expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary. 

Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for
acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and
performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and
termination procedures; initiates and manages internal investigations; responds to staff questions and
concerns. 

Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and
implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and District needs; continuously
monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures;
assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships;
identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change. 

Evaluates the need for and develops, plans, and schedules for long-term operations, construction, and
maintenance programs; organizes available resources for the maintenance, improvement, and repair of
District land, and equipment; compiles estimates, contract provisions, and specifications. 

Reviews the designs, materials, and processes proposed in connection with new construction or major
repairs for District land, and improvements. 

Evaluates the need for and develops plans for the Wildland Fire Resiliency Program. 
Evaluates the need for and develops plans for the Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program. 
Prepares contracts and other related documents for legal review. 
Confers with planners, consultants, and outside agencies, neighborhood and community groups, and

the general public in acquiring information and coordination of encroachment, capital improvement
projects, and related matters; provides information regarding these matters. 

Negotiates and administers cooperative agreements with outside agencies and organizations; meets
with agencies to ensure contract provisions and service levels are met. 

Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the
advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with
legal counsel to determine District needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts
and agreements and administers same after award. 

Represents the department to other District departments, the General Manager’s Office, Board of
Directors, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs,
policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues. 

Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations;
recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate. 

Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Directors and a wide variety of committees,
boards, and commissions. 

Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in
the fields of construction and maintenance of open space preserves, land, resource management,
wildland fuel treatments, and other services as they relate to the areas of assignment. 

Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files. 
Maintain and manage a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track work orders

and prepare work plans. 
Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect District or departmental

operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required. 
Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports

on special projects as assigned by the General Manager or Visitor and Field Services Assistant General
Manager. 

Maintains effective press and media relations; responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and
complaints; recommends resolutions and alternative recommendations. 

Participates as a member of the management team; works cooperatively to address District issues,
ensures overall health of the organization, fosters good communications between program staff, and
provides consistent and professional management.

Land Stewardship and Trails Manager


Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: 

Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation,

and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision. 
Public agency budget development, contract administration, District-wide administrative practices, and

general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area. 
Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects,

programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs. 
Principles and practices of public land management, open space and preserve maintenance, resource

management, and operations program development and management and long-term construction and
maintenance planning and budgeting. 

Principles, practices, and procedures of fire suppression and prevention. 
Principles and practices of public agency property management, appraisal, and easements. 
Local flora, fauna, cultural, and geological resources and methods and techniques of wild land resource

protection and restoration and District lands and boundaries. 
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to

assigned area of responsibility. 
Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business

correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and
procedures. 

Record keeping principles and procedures. 
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. 
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
Techniques for effectively representing the District in contacts with governmental agencies, community

groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations. 
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public,

vendors, contractors, and District staff.

Ability to: 

Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls

for the department and assigned program areas. 
Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the District. 
Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective

manner. 
Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures,

laws, and regulations. 
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical

personnel; delegate authority and responsibility. 
Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures. 
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques. 
Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with

stipulations; effectively administer a variety of operations programs and administrative activities. 
Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the District and the department in meetings

with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and
legislative organizations. 

Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.

Land Stewardship and Trails Manager


Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare
effective technical staff reports. 

Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems. 
Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner;

organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. 
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications

programs. 
Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. 
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal

guidelines. 
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the

course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in park
administration, resource management, natural sciences, construction management, asset management or a
related field and five (5) years of management experience in the protection, operation, or maintenance of
parks, open space, forests, or public recreation areas and/or related facilities or property or facilities
management for a public or nonprofit agency with the responsibility of managing park or open space lands.

Licenses and Certifications: 

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License. 
Possession of, or ability to obtain, Basic First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

certification within six (6) months of employment. 
Possession of, or ability to obtain, the level of certification in the Incident Command System courses

as specified under the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a
computer, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various District and meeting sites; vision to read printed
materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and
over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking
between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a
computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification
occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file
information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing
up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions,
and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may be exposed to blood and body
fluids when rendering First Aid and CPR. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private
representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

EFFECTIVE: February 2025
REVISED: n/a
FLSA: Exempt