Operations Manager for the Great Redwood Trail Agency

Are you an experienced, forward-thinking operations professional who thrives in a dynamic and evolving organization?

Are you a self-motivated leader with exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills who enjoys managing diverse projects, leading teams, and developing innovative solutions?

Are you excited about the opportunity to work independently in a primarily remote environment while collaborating with a dedicated team to advance an important public project that will benefit communities for generations to come?

Great Redwood Trail Agency is hiring an Operations Manager; this is your opportunity to be part of this dynamic team. Apply today!

Regional Government Services and its staff are conducting this recruitment on behalf of the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA).

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Under direction, oversees the operations, maintenance, stewardship, and property management of the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) property, railroad right-of-way, and associated infrastructure; collaborates with internal and partner agency staff, consultants, contractors, utilities, adjacent landowners, local Native American Tribes, public agencies, nonprofits, and community groups; plans, supervises, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; oversees operations and maintenance programs, capital improvement and public works projects, contracts and property agreements, budgets and grants, emergency response, and operational systems; and performs other related duties as assigned.

NOTE: This position is primarily remote and requires the ability to regularly travel within the Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt County areas. Travel will be required to conduct or oversee strategic inspections of the GRTA's ~230 miles of right of way in Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt counties to identify maintenance needs, operational issues, safety concerns, and unauthorized uses.

About Great Redwood Trail Agency

The Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) is a public agency that was formed in 2022 to develop, manage, and steward the Great Redwood Trail (GRT) across Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt counties. The agency is transforming approximately 230 miles of the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad corridor into one of the longest multi-use rail trails in the United States. 

The Great Redwood Trail will connect communities while providing opportunities for walking, hiking, bicycling, equestrian use, outdoor recreation, environmental restoration, cultural interpretation, and public enjoyment. As trail segments are developed and opened to the public, GRTA is committed to protecting the corridor's natural, cultural, and historic resources while maintaining safe and sustainable public access. 

GRTA works collaboratively with California Native American tribes, local communities, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, private landowners, utilities, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to fulfill its mission and ensure responsible stewardship of the corridor. 

Organizational Environment

GRTA is a small, growing public agency operating in a dynamic startup environment. The agency is transitioning from establishing foundational organizational systems to implementing and refining long-term programs that support corridor management, property administration, operations, maintenance, and trail development.

 GRTA employees work in a highly collaborative environment where adaptability, initiative, creativity, and sound judgment are essential. Staff have the opportunity to help shape agency policies, develop innovative operational programs, and build organizational systems that support one of California's most significant recreational and conservation projects. 

Because GRTA is a growing agency, employees are encouraged to think strategically, embrace new challenges, and collaborate across functions to help achieve the agency's mission. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:

• Directly supervise staff by planning, assigning, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating work; providing direction, feedback, coaching, and support; and addressing performance and work-related issues appropriately.
• Provide effective organizational leadership and foster teamwork, employee development, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple operational programs and projects while exercising sound independent judgment and maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
• Utilize and interpret county parcel data, assessor records, valuation maps, digital mapping services, and other real property resources to identify property ownership, boundaries, and property rights and apply that information to agency property management decisions.
• Develop and manage budgets and work plans; monitor expenditures and funding sources; and ensure financial activities are accurately tracked and administered.
• Develop, negotiate, administer, and monitor contracts, agreements, procurements, and consultant and contractor work and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective systems for tracking properties, assets, projects, contracts, funding sources, expenditures, and deliverables.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, partner agencies, contractors, consultants, property owners, community members, and other stakeholders.

COMPETENCIES

Adaptability/Initiative – Evaluates and adjusts behavior, priorities, and methods effectively when circumstances, requirements, or stakeholder needs change, and takes action to address problems and opportunities.

Collaboration - Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes

Communication- Shares information with, and receives information from constituents using oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Creativity/Innovation - Applies original thinking in approach to job responsibilities and improving processes, methods, systems, or services

Developing Others - Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities

Financial Literacy - Uses financial information to make informed budgeting, spending, and resource decisions

Inclusiveness - Respects and values working in a diverse environment

Leading Others - Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal

Managing Performance -Ensuring superior individual and group performance

Time Management/Organization- Manages and prioritizes both everyday responsibilities and high-level, longer term objectives

Examples of Duties:

• To review the job description, please click HERE.

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and competencies is qualifying. Such qualifications may include:

Education:

Experience:

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in operations, maintenance, public works, facilities management, property management, project management, construction management, parks or trail operations, transportation, or a closely related field, including two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience. Experience working for or with a public sector agency is desirable. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a valid California driver's license at the time of hire and throughout the course of employment. Employees must have access to a reliable personal vehicle and be able to use the vehicle for authorized Agency business and maintain insurability under the Agency's vehicle insurance requirements.

Special Requirements:

A dedicated and safe office space with reliable internet service from which to work remotely (computer and office equipment provided by the GRTA).

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• $105,000 - $120,000 per year DOE
• This is a primarily remote, California-based position.
• GRTA will provide a computer and office equipment, and the successful candidate must maintain a dedicated office space from which to work remotely.
• Limited travel is required for meetings, training, Agency events, and site visits.
• Benefits: For an overview of benefits, please click HERE!

Applications must be submitted online through this applicant tracking system. Materials must be complete and clearly indicate that the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required employment application.

Certificates, resumes, and/or cover letters must be uploaded with your application through this applicant tracking system. 

All statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list, or discharge from employment.

The deadline to apply is November 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.

Appraisal Process – (Pass/Fail) After the closing deadline, applications will be screened in relation to the criteria indicated in this announcement.

This process may also include various interviews and/or a skills assessment exam to rank applications, and to prepare a Qualified Candidate List. 

Application – Minimum Qualification Assessment - (Pass/Fail) All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and assessed for each applicant's ability to meet the minimum work experience, training, and education qualifications.

Written Skills Assessment – (Pass/Fail) A Written Skills Assessment may be used to evaluate candidates’ knowledge and skills for the position based on the listed competencies. The assessment is conducted remotely via a video conference platform. The Written Skills Assessment is tentatively scheduled for the week of November 30, 2026.

Remote Screen Interview Exam – (Pass/Fail) Candidates who pass the Remote Screen Interview assessment will be invited to a Remote Screen Interview Examination to evaluate training, experience, and other job-related qualifications for the position. The Remote Screen Interview will be conducted via a video conference platform and is tentatively scheduled for December 10, 2026. 

Successful candidates will be submitted to the hiring manager of GRTA for further consideration.

All communication and notices will be sent via e-mail. Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to [email protected]. 

Regional Government Services is not responsible for failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Regional Government Services by emailing [email protected].

Great Redwood Trail Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer.