Program Coordinator

Trails Program Volunteer Coordinator

Location: Central Oregon; Bend, Oregon
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Work from Home and Field-Based)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Hours: Average 40 hours per week; evenings and weekends often required seasonally
Salary: $52,000–$57,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience

Job Description

The Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) seeks a positive, resourceful, and organized Trails Program Volunteer Coordinator. The right candidate will learn the organization's needs quickly, complete high-quality projects, demonstrate great judgment, and embody COTA's mission to develop, protect, and enhance the Central Oregon mountain bike experience. This position reports directly to COTA's Trails Director.

This role is responsible for supporting chapter leadership, building strong volunteer relationships, and overseeing COTA’s organization-wide volunteer recruitment and retention efforts. A key focus is ensuring a consistent, accessible, and positive volunteer experience across all chapters, including managing COTA’s digital volunteer platforms, event registration portal, volunteer records, and volunteer-hour tracking.

Additionally, it oversees the Trail Scout Program and coordinates group volunteer opportunities for local businesses, schools, and community organizations.

The job combines off-trail and on-trail duties. Approximately 70% will be off-trail work including volunteer database management, Trail Scout program administration, service group logistics, event planning, and chapter coordination. The remaining 30% will be on-trail work including field scout training, leading volunteer work events, and supporting chapter stewardship projects.

As part of COTA's small, collaborative team, this position requires flexibility and a willingness to pitch in, support coworkers, and take on additional responsibilities as needs arise.

About You

Organization and Systems: You enjoy working on a variety of coordination, planning, volunteer intake, and organizational tasks.

Volunteer Champion and Community Leader: You are comfortable onboarding new volunteers, hosting volunteer work events, leading meetings, and working with diverse community groups.

Resourceful and Accountable: You seek out projects, take full ownership of program workflows, and achieve positive results. You take initiative, work independently, and stay organized while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Communication and Teamwork: You lead with confidence, keep it fun, and show empathy and respect for others. You maintain a calm, respectful, and constructive approach during challenging situations, helping de-escalate tension and guide conversations toward solutions.

Responsibilities

Organization-Wide Volunteer Engagement and Management — 60%

• Volunteer Experience and Engagement Pipeline: Design, build, and maintain COTA’s organization-wide volunteer recruitment, intake, and onboarding system from the ground up, establishing consistent communication strategies, recognition programs, and leadership pathways to keep volunteers engaged across all six chapters.

• Volunteer Systems, Data and Reporting: Oversee COTA’s volunteer-facing digital platforms and event registration portals to ensure a seamless user experience, maintaining accurate participation records, service-hour logs, and program evaluation metrics region-wide.

Trail Scout Program Management — 20%

• Scout Recruitment and Program Growth: Expand and support the volunteer-led Trail Scout Program across all six chapters, recruiting, onboarding, and training scouts to document brushing, drainage, tread, and signage needs using GPS-based mapping tools.

• Data Management and Maintenance Planning: Compile, clean, and manage incoming digital Trail Scout reports, converting raw field data into structured, actionable maintenance logs for the Maintenance Coordinator.

Chapter Support and Operational Leadership (Bend and SoDeCo) — 15%

• Chapter Leadership and Relationships: Serve as the primary staff liaison for Bend and SoDeCo Chapter Representatives and local volunteers, partnering with local leadership to organize trail workdays, execute community events, build volunteer participation, and advance chapter-specific priorities. Also working to coordinate with the Board Chapter Liaison.

• Equipment and Event Logistics: Manage hand tool inventories, event equipment, refreshments, sign-in sheets, waivers, and field logistics to ensure smooth execution of volunteer events across both chapters.

Corporate, School and Community Volunteer Groups — 5%

• Program Coordination: Manage incoming service group requests from businesses, schools, and civic organizations, collaborating with volunteer crew leaders and field staff to scope projects, arrange logistics, and leverage Bend and SoDeCo trail networks for large-group stewardship workdays.

Qualifications

• Experience: 2+ years of experience in volunteer management, program coordination, community engagement, or outdoor recreation leadership.

• Volunteer Leadership: Proven experience coordinating volunteers, leading volunteers in the field, managing event logistics, and facilitating engaging group activities.

• Trail Work Experience: Demonstrates experience with aspects of trail work (tread work, drainage, brushing, etc.).

• Technical and Software Proficiency: Proficient with Google Workspace, volunteer management software, and mapping/reporting tools (e.g., Trailforks, CalTopo, or survey tools).

• Communication and Interpersonal: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to lead volunteer groups and facilitate meetings.

• Organization and Logistics: Strong organizational and administrative skills with a proven ability to manage multiple project priorities, coordinate field equipment, and execute event logistics efficiently.

• Ability to mitigate, and if needed, mediate disputes and navigate interpersonal conflict between volunteers, staff and/or stakeholders.

• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform physical trail work, lift 50 pounds, hike/bike multiple miles, and work outdoors in variable weather conditions.

• Certifications and Driving: Basic First Aid/CPR certification (or ability to become certified).

• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable personal vehicle. Ability to drive the COTA truck with a trailer is a plus.

Hours, Compensation, and Location

• Full-time position (average 40 hours per week). Your schedule will fluctuate seasonally with evening and weekend work often required. Spring and Fall are key operational periods.

• Salary of $52,000–$57,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

• Health insurance (base plan premium paid in full by COTA), dental insurance (paid by employee), and retirement savings account (with 1% match).

• Eight paid holidays, plus the week between Christmas Eve and New’s Day off, plus 120 hours of paid vacation annually. Note that spring and fall will be key times to complete trail maintenance work; as such, the ability to take time off during these periods may be limited.

• Phone, internet, and mileage reimbursement up to a total of $300 per month.

• This position is a hybrid work from home and in the field format. Candidates must be based in Central Oregon.

• COTA is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

Send resume and cover letter in PDF format to jobs@cotamtb.com no later than November 18, 2026.