Field Operations Program Manager

Position Title: Field Operations Program Manager

Supervisor: Director of Trail Programs

Status: Full Time, Salary, Exempt

Start Date: June 1, 2026

End Date: December 31, 2028 (termed-position)

Office

Location:

Position will be assigned to CDTC’s Golden, CO office. CDTC allows for a hybrid work at home-office with regular “in office hours” to conduct and support regular business operations.

Final date to receive applications: April 26, 2026

The mission of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition is to complete, protect, and elevate the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and inspire a diverse community to steward the trail and its connected landscapes.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) spans 3,100 miles through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana providing access to the Continental Divide landscape and Rocky Mountain communities. The Field Operations Program Manager will lead CDTC field operations to ensure the CDT is maintained to the highest standards for the purpose of safety and enjoyment of the CDT Experience. This role is critical in ensuring that stewardship of the CDT is centered in grassroots volunteer efforts, community‑led conservation, and the most up‑to‑date standards for outdoor recreation across a diversity of landscapes, partners and land managers.

This position will provide leadership on CDTC efforts related to trail maintenance, volunteer stewardship, and other facets of CDTC’s Field Operations Program across the trail. Specifically, the Field Program Manager will ensure the sustainable growth of CDTC’s Field Operations Program including volunteer trail projects, community stewardship programming, and the CDTC Adopter Program to build upon the grassroots model that is at the center of the shared‑stewardship model on the CDT.

Additionally, this position will support the on‑ground implementation and management of Great American Outdoors Act funding on the CDT through 2028. The Field Programs Manager is a highly collaborative leadership position that will work with CDTC staff, agencies, community and trail partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders to ensure stewardship and maintenance of the trail is consistent, elevated, and sustainable.

• Manage the delivery of Field Operations programs with direct oversight of volunteer field projects, community stewardship events, the CDT adopter program, and other opportunities related to CDTC’s mission.
• Oversee the onboarding and derig for CDTC’s field season, including cache organization and the recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, and retention of the Field Technician, Crew Leader, and other Field Operations staff positions.
• Sustain and grow partnerships with public land managers, regional and local trail organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders to collaborate on the protection and maintenance of the CDT.
• Lead the continual coordination of safe and impactful field operations by collaborating with CDTC staff, agency partners, and others to identify projects, coordinate with partners, recruit and train volunteers, secure funding, implement the project, and keep an accurate record of accomplishments and volunteer hours.
• Provide technical leadership and expertise to ensure Field Operations programs sustain the highest standards for the purpose of safety and enjoyment of the CDT Experience.
• Maintain the volunteer database for Field Operations Programs, tracking and maintaining volunteer accomplishments to achieve the highest level of accuracy and transparency.
• Support regional programming opportunities to strengthen localized collaboration that address priority maintenance concerns through community stewardship.
• Oversee the management and organization of CDTC Field Operations physical assets including the tool and gear cache, tool storage, tool trailer, and Field Operations vehicle(s).
• Participate in and/or lead volunteer projects as needed.
• Collaborate with GAOA Program Managers to strengthen established partnerships with public land managers, regional and local trail organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders to…