Montgomery Planning

Description

The Trails Program Manager/Supervisor will serve as the Program Manager and Staff Supervisor providing leadership to the Trails Team in the Park Planning and Environmental Stewardship Division and their oversight of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s shared use path and natural surface trail system. They will provide subject matter expertise and oversight of the Department’s primary and secondary paved trail network, in-park fitness loops, and the natural surface recreational trails system. Leadership activities shall serve the entire Department of Parks and Recreation in a variety of roles as follows: The Trails Program Manager/Supervisor will be responsible for tasks, activities, initiatives, plans and projects in the following areas: a) trail planning, financial management, project development, b) partnering on the development and maintenance of operational and management standards c) facilitation of trails activities as a key stakeholder in DPR’s internal cross-functional teams, d) development of trail planning and management policy and facility design standards and guidelines, e) coordination of public communication and public engagement in trail planning, management and marketing activities, f) supporting, advising and coordinating with DPR divisions responsible for maintenance, management and policing of park trails, g) supporting NHRD and other divisions engaged in managing the natural surface trail system, and h) supporting the programming and marketing of, and communications about trails and trail activities using DPR trails.

Examples of Important Duties

Planning Coordination

• Assist the team with trail development plans, projects and management issues within their respective geographic area assignments.
• Advise on trail, bicycle and pedestrian components of development review cases.
• Coordinate trail issues with the Planning Department and support Planning Department master plan, sector plan and community plan activities with regard to the Primary and Secondary Trail Network, and recreational trail facilities.
• Guide trail planning components of park master plans, or other DPR park planning activities.
• Manage institutional and inter-jurisdictional relationships related to the Primary and Secondary Trails system; and facilitate interagency and inter-jurisdictional coordination and agreements.
• Facilitate public engagement in trail planning and development activities.
• Coordinate trail-related GIS and EAM data management related to facility inventories, and capital and lifecycle maintenance costs used for budget planning.
• Coordinate with Regional and National trail activities.

Trail Planning and Project Management

• Manage trail feasibility and alignment studies.
• Coordinate trail development and rehabilitation efforts, advise and inform Division Chiefs regarding trail maintenance and operational budgeting.
• Seek and secure funding agreements for trail development projects.
• Provide oversight for new trails or major trail upgrade projects, which may include roadway crossings, trailheads, signage systems, wayside development, or other components of the trail system.
• Provide coordination and support for the procurement and construction management processes that implement trail projects.
• Provide project management support.

Facilitate Internal Cross-Functional Teams to Develop and Implement Trail Policy and Practice

The Trails Supervisor will work with line staff, senior management, and the M-NCPPC Board to develop

policies that guide every aspect of the trails component of DPR’s mission. Activities will include

convening and coordinating cross-functional staff teams to develop policies and procedures related to

building and managing trails, and creating a trails culture with DPR. The Trails Program

Manager/Supervisor will provide education and training that enables staff to effectively implement trails

policy.

Key areas of policy and practice include the following:

• Overall Funding, Project Priorities, and Trail Design (PPES, CPDD,FSD)
  • Develop trail development policy including project prioritization criteria and other policies governing the budgeting for and funding of trail projects.
  • Oversee updating of trail design guidelines and standards and educate staff regarding their application to DPR activities.
• Trail Communications and Public Information Systems (PACE,FSD,CPDD,NRPD,SRPD,etc)
  • Website, print materials and maps, social media, and audiovisual materials.
  • Trail alerts, closures and detours including messaging through various electronic channels and on-site signage; and coordination with the right of entry (ROE) process and impacted DPR divisions.
• Trail Maintenance, Management and Public Safety (FSD,NRPD,SRPD, Park Police)
  • Work with Park Police to develop trail management policies that address public safety and security.
  • Work with park maintenance staff to develop trail infrastructure management and maintenance practices that provide a safe and high-quality trail experience.
• Public Relations with the following stakeholders:
  • Home-owner Associations, property managers and other agencies and entities that own, maintain, and manage trails open to public access and use.
  • Trail user groups, advocacy organizations and other non-profit partners with a stake in the park trail system and volunteer resources to support the park trail system.
  • Businesses, corporations, employers, and other private sector organizations with a stake in the park trail system or ability to support the system with volunteer or financial resources.

Advisor for Trail Activities Lead by other DPR Divisions

The Trails Program Manager/Supervisor will act as an advisor to NHRD and other DPR Divisions to

support their responsibilities regarding the following:

• Natural Surface Trail Planning, Development, Rehabilitation, and Management
• Health and Fitness Recreation Programming

Preferred Skills:

1. Experience in trail planning, developing and implementing trail plans, conducting trail inventories and assessments.
2. Experience in capital program management, project development, and development of operational and management programs.
3. Experience facilitating public engagement in trail planning.
4. Strong organizational skills.
5. Ability to manage multiple projects of varying priorities.
6. Demonstrated leadership experience.
7. Strong supervisory and management experience.
8. Project management experience.
9. Exceptional interpersonal skills.
10. Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Geography, Architecture, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Urban Design, Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Economics or any related field.
2. Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience that includes supervisory or project leadership and coordination experience.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together totals ten (10) years.
4. Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification: Planning Supervisor

May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying

disability, please notify the

Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at 301-454-1411

(Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

2025 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES

The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.

Eligibility

You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.

Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) – Plan E excludes FOP members.

Plan

Employee Contribution

Plan C

9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only)

Plan E

4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• Deferred Compensation ICMA-RC 457 plan (Optional)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan – (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) – (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) – (20%)
• Prescription – CVS Caremark – (15%)
• Dental – Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO – (20%)
• Vision – EyeMed – (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account – Maximum annual contribution: $3,200
• Dependent Care Account – Maximum annual contribution: $5,000

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental – 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birthadoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission’s Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.

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