Trail Engagement Manager

The Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance (LCTA) seeks an energetic, relationship-oriented professional to serve as our Trail Engagement Manager. This position will serve as an ambassador responsible for strengthening engagement, coordination, and participation across the 4,900-mile, 16-state corridor of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

The Manager will serve as a principal field representative of LCTA, enhancing the support and relationship with LCTA Regions and Chapters, federal and state agencies, Tribal nations, museums, sponsors, and other organizations connected to the Lewis and Clark story. The position will support a geographically dispersed network as an active, connected, and collaborative Trail community through relationship management, field outreach, partnership development, membership engagement, and program activation.

About LCTA

The Alliance is a national 501c3 organization supporting stewardship, interpretation, education, public engagement, and heritage tourism associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. LCTA provides volunteer capacity, educational programming, publications, digital interpretation, heritage tourism development, and partnership coordination across the Trail corridor and works with the National Park Service and a broad network of communities and organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Expand Network Relationships – Activating the strategic plan of a proactive, systematic, and measurable approach to Trail engagement.
• Support LCTA Regions and Chapters –The Manager will serve as a critical link between LCTA’s national organization and its Regions and Chapters. Working with local leaders, the Manager will support program development, local volunteer activities, and advancement in local growth.
• Partner Development – Deepen engagement with Interpretive Affiliate organizations to collaborate and advance mutual interests in the Lewis and Clark story.
• New Audiences – Support the current efforts to create pathways for new participants to discover, engage, and become active in LCTA and our partner organizations.

First-Year Priorities

During the first year, the Manager will activate LCTA’s Strategic Plan through a prioritized network of markets and partners, establish a systematic outreach and follow-up process, strengthen Region and Chapter relationships, increase participation in LCTA programs and initiatives, and expand participation in LCTA’s digital platforms.

Extensive field travel is an essential part of the position, including periods of one to two weeks of continuous Trail travel.

Measures of Success

Success will be evaluated primarily through measurable outcomes, including increased collaboration with priority partners, stronger Region and Chapter participation, growth in program and digital engagement, and volunteer participation generated.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will combine education or equivalent professional experience with strong relationship-building, writing and communication skills and a demonstrated interest in public service, history, heritage, conservation, or community engagement. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred. Experience with nonprofit organizations, public history, parks, heritage, conservation, public engagement, or partnership development is highly desirable.

The successful candidate must be organized, self-directed, comfortable initiating relationships, able to work independently across a large geographic area, and willing to travel extensively. Proficiency with standard office, virtual meeting, database/CRM, and digital communication tools is expected. A valid driver’s license and ability to travel independently are required.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be a natural connector, listener, relationship builder, and closer—someone who can understand local circumstances, build trust across diverse organizations, identify opportunities, and turn conversations into action. The individual should genuinely enjoy travel, meeting people, learning about communities, and working across federal, Tribal, state, local, nonprofit, and community environments.

Above all, the candidate should be mission-driven and results-oriented, understanding that the purpose of the position is greater public engagement with the Lewis and Clark story, the National Historic Trail, and the communities and places connected to it.

Position, Compensation, and Benefits

The Trail Engagement Manager is a full-time, salaried exempt position reporting exclusively to the LCTA Chief Executive Officer. The position may be based at LCTA’s national headquarters in Great Falls, Montana, or remotely from a location within proximity to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, with extensive travel throughout the corridor.

The salary range is $65,000–$80,000 annually, depending upon qualifications and experience. A health-benefit stipend, paid holidays, PTO, and other benefits established by LCTA policy will be provided. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required.

Reporting and Opportunity

The Manager reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer but works closely with LCTA staff, Board members, Region and Chapter leaders, National Park Service Trail staff, and the broader Trail partner network.

This is intended to be a significant leadership position within LCTA, with strong potential for career advancement and, based on performance and organizational needs, future executive leadership.

The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation is our legal entity. We do business as the Lewis and Clark Trial Alliance

The Trail Engagement Manager is a full-time, exempt salaried exempt position reporting exclusively to the LCTA Chief Executive Officer. The position may be based at LCTA’s national headquarters in Great Falls, Montana, or remotely from a location within proximity to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, with extensive travel throughout the corridor.

The salary range is $65,000–$80,000 annually, depending upon qualifications and experience. A health-benefit stipend, paid holidays, PTO, and other benefits established by LCTA policy will be provided. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required.

Ability to communicate fluently in English