Executive Director

Build a Trail Legacy by Connecting Communities!

Inaugural Executive Director Opportunity on the Olympic Peninsula

Ready to make history while surrounded by natural beauty? After 37 years of successful volunteer leadership, the Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) is seeking its first Executive Director to lead them into a dynamic new chapter. This pivotal role offers the chance to leverage your executive-level experience and passion for the outdoors to connect communities and complete the iconic Olympic Discovery Trail. If you're a proven leader and natural relationship builder known for your collaborative approach, this is your chance to lead a dedicated Board of Trail Builders, a passionate community of trail volunteers, and to connect with diverse stakeholders to make a tangible impact on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

Position: Executive Director

Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA (Port Angeles and Sequim, or surrounding areas)

Status: Full-time, salary, exempt, with a largely self-managed schedule, reports to the PTC President

Starting Compensation Range: $98,000-$110,000 per year

Benefits: Benefits stipend of $15,000/yr with formal benefits to be designed within 12 months of hire.

Proposed Start Date: September 2025

To Apply: Applications MUST be submitted via Google Form to be considered! Use the following link: https://forms.gle/fhMSszEg7L4QeYV17. Priority application deadline: July 18, 2025.

Read the full job description here. bit.ly/ODTJobSearch

Organization Overview

The Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, in its 37th year of existence as an all-volunteer-based organization dedicated to fostering the development, maintenance, and completion of the Olympic Discovery Trail in northwest Washington State.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) has designated the Olympic Discovery Trail in Jefferson & Clallam Counties, and the Sound to Olympics Trail across Kitsap County, as the western extension route of the RTC’s nation-spanning Great American Rail-Trail. Trail building progress to date includes 92 miles of completed trail in Clallam and Jefferson counties built with support from PTC. PTC also partners with like-minded organizations to fill regional trail gaps between Seattle and the Pacific Coast.

In 2024, PTC celebrated annual revenue of ~$575,000 utilizing a team of three contracted part-time staff (Development Manager, Relationship Manager, Maintenance Manager), more than 1,100 volunteers for trail maintenance tasks and 130 trail segment adopters. Support for operations is currently derived from donor appeals and events. The current all-volunteer working Board of Directors desires to transition to a governing Board to work effectively with an Executive Director and professional staff.

The Peninsula Trails Coalition is poised for a period of rapid growth that could see the Olympic Discovery Trail completed within the next 20 years.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) will lead the PTC in an exciting phase of growth and key initiative implementation. The ED will serve as the primary fundraiser and chief spokesperson. Working with the President and Executive Committee, and with support of the full Board of Directors and contracted staff, the Executive Director will advance the strategic goals and objectives of the Peninsula Trails Coalition mission and vision. The Executive Director is responsible for the management and sustainability of the organization as it seeks to broaden impact and strengthen town-to-town connectivity through a natural environment of trails. The ED will forge lasting partnerships with local stakeholders, communities, and government entities. The Executive Director will be a community connector, fundraiser, and natural relationship-builder. While experience in the environmental sector and trail management is important, an experienced leader in other relevant nonprofit sectors or with relevant management and program development experience would be encouraged to apply.

Schedule and Benefits

This position is full-time (approx. 40 hours per week), salary, exempt, with flexibility to set your own work schedule while maintaining organizational and staff needs. This position is currently housed in a Port Angeles office location although home based work can be accommodated with an expectation of taking in-person meetings and attending local events along the current and future trail corridor. This position requires travel throughout the covered region and occasional evening and weekend commitments.

This position will not receive much day-to-day supervision but will be expected to be self directed and to communicate extensively with the President about weekly activities. This is a great opportunity for someone who is a motivated self-starter who is able to optimize the flexibility to set their own schedule.

Benefits include:

• WA State Sick Leave
• 14 days paid time off in addition to flexible scheduling
• 11 paid holidays
• Generous Health Insurance and Retirement Contribution Stipend ($15,000/yr)
• Mileage reimbursement: standard federal rate for transportation for all miles of business use of personal vehicle
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities