Conservation Ranger - Trail Services Specialist

ABOUT HOLLOW OAK LAND TRUST Hollow Oak Land Trust is a small, mission-driven nonprofit founded in 1991 to protect greenspace and connect communities to nature. With a core staff of just a few dedicated team members, we manage nine conservation areas and lead efforts to improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, design and maintain sustainable trails, and provide meaningful outdoor experiences for our region. As a small team, we rely on staff who are adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable taking initiative. Our work blends hands-on field stewardship with community engagement, volunteer coordination, and thoughtful planning. POSITION SUMMARY Do you enjoy working outdoors and helping others enjoy nature? Are you energized by a role that mixes field work, community engagement, and organizational support? Hollow Oak's Conservation Ranger – Trail Services Specialist is a key member of our small team, responsible for both on-the-ground stewardship and relationship building. This position combines field time—trail construction, habitat restoration, volunteer projects, and annual property monitoring—with office time dedicated to planning, communication, data tracking, and community partnership development. The Trail Services Specialist advances Hollow Oak’s conservation mission by stewarding wildlife habitats, designing and maintaining trails, managing volunteers, and strengthening relationships with visitors, community groups, neighbors, and corporate partners. This role also includes essential teamwork, working in close coordination with the Outreach and Education Coordinator and collaborating regularly with all staff to achieve shared stewardship and engagement goals. The Trail Services Specialist also plays an essential role in data collection and reporting, including monthly visitor counts, volunteer hours, and documentation of stewardship activities. KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Teamwork • Collaborate daily with the Outreach and Education Coordinator to plan, coordinate, and complete stewardship projects efficiently and safely. • Work closely with Hollow Oak staff to support organization-wide priorities and ensure consistent communication across field and office operations. • Participate in joint problem-solving, project planning, and shared responsibilities that strengthen team cohesion and organizational effectiveness. Trail & Habitat Stewardship • Assess, design, build, and maintain natural-surface trails to create safe, sustainable routes that improve visitor experience. • Oversee volunteer-led trail construction, maintenance, signage installation, and boardwalk projects to maintain consistent, high-quality trail infrastructure. • Lead habitat restoration activities—including native plantings, invasive species removal, bioswale work, and tree planting—to strengthen ecological health across conservation areas. • Conduct annual property monitoring and document site conditions to identify stewardship needs and ensure compliance with conservation standards. • Develop and implement property management schedules that guide long-term stewardship and support timely completion of maintenance tasks. Volunteer & Community Engagement • Organize and lead weekly volunteer workdays and corporate volunteer events to advance stewardship projects and build community ownership. • Recruit, train, supervise, and support volunteers to cultivate a skilled, engaged stewardship team across all conservation areas. • Build relationships with community partners, neighbors, and user groups to strengthen support for Hollow Oak’s mission. • Provide public engagement through guided hikes, trailhead outreach, and social media content to educate visitors and promote responsible trail use. • Create a welcoming trail experience and uphold land trust policies to enhance visitor enjoyment and maintain safe, respectful use of conservation areas. Trail Services & Membership Support • Support and expand Hollow Oak’s Trail Services social enterprise to generate revenue and share best-practice trail design expertise with partners. • Maintain consistent quality control for all trail and habitat projects to uphold professional standards and ecological integrity. • Assist Hollow Oak staff in recruiting new members, donors, sponsors, and corporate partners to strengthen organizational capacity and community support. Data Tracking & Reporting • Track and report monthly visitor counts using trail counters and manual methods to inform land management decisions. • Record and report volunteer hours using established systems to measure engagement and support grant and donor reporting. • Maintain accurate documentation of stewardship activities, projects, and property conditions to support transparency, planning, and long-term conservation outcomes. QUALIFICATIONS • Experience in planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining sustainable trails in rugged terrain. • Firsthand trail-use experience (hiking and/or mountain biking) preferred. • Strong written and verbal communication skills; public speaking experience a plus. • Interest in conservation, habitat management, and trail design. • Knowledge of regional flora, fauna, and ecosystems is a plus. • Experience recruiting and managing volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds. • Ability to work collaboratively with Hollow Oak staff and a diverse range of stakeholders. • Ability to safely operate tools and equipment (e.g., augers, chainsaws) is preferred. • Interest in digital communications and social media. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • This position includes a blend of office work and field work. Field work occurs outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions. • Ability to walk 1–3 miles over uneven, steep, or rugged terrain. • Ability to carry up to 50 pounds. • Ability to stand, sit, climb, bend, kneel, and navigate stairs. • Ability to endure conditions such as heat, cold, humidity, rain, snow, dust, pollen, and slippery or uneven surfaces. • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. • Ability to travel to conservation areas and meetings; valid driver’s license or reliable transportation required. Apply tot his job