Regional Manager at Appalachian Trail Conservancy – Roanoke, Virginia

Organizational Mission:

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

The Regional Manager (RM) reports to the Regional Director and serves as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s primary representative within the region. The RM leads and supports programs and initiatives focused on trail stewardship, natural resource management, visitor education, and volunteer engagement to ensure the long-term protection and high-quality management of the Appalachian Trail.

Working within the federally legislated Cooperative Management System, the RM collaborates closely with federal and state agencies, volunteer trail clubs, community partners, and conservation stakeholders who share responsibility for stewarding the Trail. The RM plays a critical leadership role in coordinating regional efforts, strengthening partnerships, and supporting the volunteer stewardship tradition of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (ANST), while working in a dynamic suite of partnerships that share a passion and dedication to uphold a high standard for managing and protecting the Appalachian Trail.

The RM also supervises and supports seasonal staff, providing leadership and operational coordination across field-based conservation, stewardship, and visitor engagement programs throughout the region.

• Serve as the primary regional relationship lead, managing strategic partnerships with Trail clubs, government agencies, conservation organizations, and community stakeholders
• Strengthen and advance the Cooperative Management System, fostering alignment, shared accountability, and long-term partner capacity to support the Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Translate and operationalize ATC strategic priorities, programs, and initiatives through partner engagement, providing technical expertise, guidance, and collaborative problem-solving

• Support regional restoration and conservation initiatives that protect the Appalachian Trail corridor and surrounding landscapes.
• Leads a regional portfolio of conservation and infrastructure programs, ensuring alignment with strategic, regulatory, and funding priorities
• Oversee end-to-end project delivery including planning, grant funding, environmental compliance, budgeting, and reporting.
• Coordinate and support regional stewardship programs, including trail maintenance, natural resource protection, visitor education, and volunteer engagement initiatives.
• Facilitate trail repair, reconstruction, relocation, and infrastructure improvement projects in collaboration with agency partners, volunteers, and contractors.
• Respond to external threats and develop and implement strategies to mitigate short and long-term threats to the A.T. experience.
• Recruit, supervise, and support seasonal staff and interns who assist with trail stewardship, visitor engagement, and field operations.
• Provide training, project coordination, and regular supervision to ensure safe and effective field operations.
• Oversee administrative tasks related to seasonal staff, including work planning, timesheets, and end-of-season evaluations.

• Serve as a regional ambassador for ATC, strengthening relationships with visitors, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders while enhancing the Trail experience.
• Execute integrated public engagement and communications strategies, including outreach campaigns, media coordination, and real-time incident response in partnership with leadership and communications teams.
• Cultivate and support community partnerships, membership engagement, and donor-facing initiatives that advance stewardship, visibility, and long-term sustainability of the Appalachian Trail.
• Serve as a regional representative for ATC, providing visitor information and supporting donor events, and community partnerships that advance stewardship of the Trail.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, recreation management, natural resource management, or a related field, with 3–5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in an environment with limited direct supervision.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within complex partnership structures, including state and federal agencies, volunteer organizations, alliance partners, community stakeholders, and business leaders.
• Ability to work effectively within a geographically dispersed, team-oriented environment, contributing to a cohesive and mission-driven staff culture.
• Demonstrated adaptability and problem-solving skills in a dynamic work environment with shifting priorities and balancing field-based and administrative operational needs.
• Basic familiarity with the management structure of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail or similar public lands partnerships preferred.
• Leave No Trace training or certification desirable (training provided if needed).
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or higher and CPR certification preferred (training provided if needed).
• USFS sawyer certification (training provided if needed).

• Combination of remote and/or shared office environments. Remote workstations will require reliable, high-speed internet access.
• The position involves extended periods working at a computer or on the phone.
• Ability to hike long distances over rugged terrain in all seasons and weather conditions to provide physical inspection of remote Trail locations
• May be exposed to hazardous physical conditions and seasonal exposure to extreme weather conditions, including rain, snow, humidity, intense heat, and sunlight.
• Possible exposure to ticks, insects, wildlife, and other backcountry hazards.
• Occasionally requires the ability to lift, carry, push, or move light to moderate weights, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Extensive travel and evening and weekend work will be required
• Travel may include site visits for Trail improvement and land acquisition projects, meetings with Trail Clubs, land managers, and other partners, and participation in ATC meetings or events. Occasionally out of region. Travel frequency will vary considerably based on scheduling and project needs.
• Use of personal vehicles for work-related travel with reimbursable mileage is expected.

Additional Details:

• Location: Region spans Bland County (I-77 A.T. crossing near Bastian) to Rockfish Gap in Nelson County. Preferred position location is within an hour of the Trail in that region.
• Work station available in ATC's regional office in Roanoke. Position requires travel throughout the region for meetings and occasional field work/site visits, and travel out-of-region a few times a year.
• Annual Salary Range: ($60k - $65k)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance available.
• Company paid long-term disability and life insurance provided.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service.

ATC Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

ATC encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness with all employees and volunteers to enable participation and contributions to their fullest potential.

We are committed to being an inclusive organization and recognize that a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds contributes to an effective and successful organizational culture and mission.

ATC prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and/or expression), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, political affiliation, union membership, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the locations where we operate.

ATC's Identity Statement