Project Manager Caracara Trails

Cdcb seeks an enthusiastic community organizer and/or transportation planner Project Manager (PM) for the implementation and promotion of the Caracara Trails.

Cdcb is partnering with the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the University of Texas School of Public Health – and the cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, Combes, Los Fresnos, Los Indios, Port Isabel, Rio Hondo, San Benito, South Padre Island, Laguna Vista and Rancho Viejo – the Caracara Trails comprises of 428 miles of proposed trails – including 230 miles of multiuse trails, 120 miles of U.S. Bicycle Routes, and 78 miles of Texas Paddling Trails that will showcase the vast, expansive beauty of the region’s beaches, wildlife preserves, waterways, cultural sites and geographic landmarks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a coalition of stakeholders and advocates to develop and promote a seamless network of multimodal active transportation options. This includes:
• Organizing and leading 4-6 Caracara Trails Advisory Committee meetings a year
• Coordinating quarterly, or as needed, Working Group meetings for the: United States Bicycle Routes, Texas Paddling Trails, Marketing, Research, etc. Working Groups.
• Other project or program specific collaborations/meetings with local government officials, community members, nonprofit groups, etc.
• Build upon the Caracara Trails Coalition by identifying and cultivating community and business leaders, partner organizations, to serve as liaisons/spokespersons for the project.
• Preparing for and facilitating public events (i.e. Opening Day for Trails, groundbreaking ceremonies, ribbon-cuttings, etc.), community engagement, and workshops to educate and promote the Caracara Trails initiatives. Working with RTC Communications Staff.
• Close gaps in the existing trail network, with a focus on:
• Conducting ongoing field work and outreach to gather GIS data and information on current conditions of trails, land ownership, rail corridors, public access, and other amenities.
• Utilizing that data, working with local partners, RTC Trail Development Staff, and RGVMPO Staff to develop conceptual trail plans and implement strategic land acquisition planning to develop “shovel-ready” projects.
• Identifying and cultivating appropriate partners from the economic development, tourism, public health, and private sectors to support filling priority gaps.
• Working in collaboration with the Coalition to grow and diversity financial support by securing public and private dollars to implement the proposed trail network, including:
• Seeking creative funding streams to support the vision at the local and state level
• Partnering with fundraising team to develop funding proposals and associated budgets
• Leading implementation of grant deliverables and reporting out on programmatic outcomes and impact.
• Represent the project and the organization before a variety of public audiences.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position supervise the Caracara Trails Coordinator.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will have a proven track record within one or more of the following areas of work:trail planning; bike-ped/transportation planning; urban planning; landscape architecture; public policy/administration; active tourism, natural resource planning; project management; or economic development.

Strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple tasks and a widely varied workload. Specific skills and attributes include the following:

• Excellent skills in building and maintaining collaborative and strategic relationships with a variety of stakeholders, such as local and state government officials and agencies; transportation, planning, economic development, conservation, and health organizations; and community-based nonprofits.
• Strong people and group-facilitation skills and experience with coalition building
• A solid understanding of the process of moving a trail plan from concept through to the design-build phase
• Advanced PM skills and experience, including ability to take multi-faceted projects plans from conception through to completion and the ability to develop/manage complex budgets
• Outstanding oral and written communication and strong interpersonal skills; ability to work at all levels of the organization
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills, with demonstrated ability to develop strategic approaches for stakeholder involvement and meeting facilitation
• Proficiency in GIS and Excel (required)
• English fluency
• Conversational Spanish (fluency preferred)
• Valid driver’s license
• Experience using the Adobe Creative Suite or other design software a plus

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree from four year college or university or higher; and three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Computer Skills: Proficient with standard computer applications including Microsoft Office.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from group of managers, customers, and the general public. Bi-lingual in Spanish desired.

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment represent the activities and surroundings of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To perform the job, the employee is frequently required to talk and hear on the telephone and in person with individuals and groups. The incumbent will carry materials weighing up to 10 lbs. The incumbent is required to read and respond to documents in hard copy and electronic form. The incumbent will use hands for keyboarding, and adjust vision from close to far distances.

Work Environment

The work is typically performed in an office environment, with a moderate noise level.

Salary $ 45,000 p/year

100% employer-paid health, dental and vision

Life Insurance

401(k) (no match required)

16 Paid Holidays

Vacation & Personal days based on length of service

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