Program Manager

Application: https://www.stewardmoab.com/employment

General Purpose

The Program Manager provides strategic oversight, coordination, and management of Steward Moab's programs, including the Trail Ambassador Program, Human Waste Initiative, Moab Guide Summit, and related strategic efforts and programming. Working under the direction of the Executive Director, this role exercises independent judgment and discretion in program planning, staff supervision, operational decision-making, and partner coordination, and is responsible for ensuring program effectiveness, consistency, compliance, and alignment with Steward Moab's mission and strategic goals. This position is primarily administrative and managerial in nature; limited field participation may occur as needed for training, evaluation, quality control, or issue resolution.

Employment Classification

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried, at-will position. It is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable state law based on its primary duties, including program management, staff supervision, independent judgment, and administrative and leadership responsibilities, and is therefore not eligible for overtime compensation. This classification reflects the nature of the position's primary duties and may be reviewed or modified as organizational needs or applicable laws change.

Schedule and Hours

This is a full-time position with a work schedule that may vary based on program needs, visitation levels, and seasonal demand. Work may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional extended hours as required to fulfill job responsibilities.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting annual salary is $53,403.00, commensurate with experience and qualifications, and subject to all applicable deductions and withholdings in accordance with IRS requirements. Benefits, if any, are determined by organizational policy, funding availability, and eligibility requirements.

Supervision

Works under the supervision of the Executive Director.

Supervision Exercised

This position exercises program-level oversight and provides direction, scheduling coordination, and operational leadership for Trail Ambassador staff.  This position provides ongoing supervision, performance oversight, and operational leadership for Trail Ambassador staff, including onboarding, training coordination, and performance feedback, in collaboration with organizational leadership.

Location and Duty Area

This position is based out of Steward Moab's headquarters in Moab, Utah, and supports Steward Moab programs across public lands and community locations as necessary to meet organizational objectives. Employees are expected to work in-person from the Moab office, particularly during initial onboarding and training. While the role is primarily administrative and programmatic in nature, periodic travel to field sites is required for purposes of program oversight, partner coordination, staff support, quality assurance, and organizational representation. Limited travel may also occur to attend meetings, trainings, or events on behalf of Steward Moab. Travel on motorized trails using agency vehicles, including UTVs, may occur on a limited basis in alignment with program needs, training requirements, and established safety protocols.

Essential Functions

Work under the direction of the Executive Director to plan, manage, coordinate, partner, and oversee Steward Moab programs - including the Trail Ambassador program, Human Waste Initiative, and Moab Guide Summit - ensuring consistent delivery, quality outcomes, and alignment with organizational goals and strategic priorities.

Lead the Human Waste Initiative, serving as primary liaison to SEUHD, Canyonlands Transfer Station, and land management agencies; coordinating stakeholder meetings and the Moab Area Watershed Partnership; and overseeing program development, data collection, and grant reporting.

Lead the Moab Guide Summit, overseeing event planning and execution - logistics, venue and scheduling, partner/presenter outreach, agenda development, and outcome reporting.

Lead the Trail Ambassador program, exercising direct supervisory authority over staff - including hiring, training oversight, performance management, and corrective action, in coordination with the Executive Director; schedule staff/volunteers, oversee day-to-day operations, reporting and equipment, and foster a professional, safety-focused, mission-driven team culture.

Design and oversee staff training programs (onboarding, refreshers, and operational trainings); recruit, onboard, and coordinate program volunteers; and provide ongoing guidance, performance feedback, and accountability to staff, addressing personnel issues in coordination with the Executive Director.

Exercise independent judgment to prioritize work and coordinate resources across all programs, elevating significant issues to the Executive Director as appropriate; collaborate with land management agencies, partners, and stakeholders, and represent Steward Moab at meetings, trainings, and conferences (local/regional travel as needed).

Develop and refine program procedures, training standards, safety protocols, and volunteer frameworks; monitor program performance and budgets (expenses, equipment/supplies, event costs), and ensure compliance with grant requirements, agreements, and regulations - reporting outcomes, risks, and recommendations to the Executive Director.

Support Steward Moab's public communications and outreach, including program-related website, social media, and promotional content; perform other duties as needed to support new or evolving initiatives.

Support the Executive Director with organizational priorities beyond direct program work - including donor engagement, fundraising, grant applications, organizational-level budgeting, board materials, goal-setting, and policy development - as directed, and maintain awareness of local, regional, and federal initiatives to support alignment of programming and partnerships.

Limited Field Oversight

Participate in field activities on a limited basis for purposes of staff training, evaluation, program oversight, or issue resolution.

Field participation is not a primary duty of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education and Experience

Applicants must meet one of the following:

Graduation from high school or equivalent and three (3) years of experience in program administration, staff supervision, nonprofit program management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, or

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This position requires a broad and integrated set of administrative, coordination, and leadership skills, including:

Considerable knowledge of public land management agencies, recreation areas, outdoor recreation systems, and resource management practices, along with an understanding of local ecology and responsible recreation principles sufficient to support program development, oversight, and partner coordination.

Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills - including the ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, partners, agencies, board members, and the public; clearly convey organizational policies, program expectations, and minimum-impact practices; and report operational observations, risks, and program needs to the Executive Director and leadership, both verbally and in writing.

Demonstrated skill in program coordination, organizing information, maintaining administrative records, and preparing clear, accurate, and timely reports.

Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office or Google Workspace) and the ability to learn scheduling, database, or grant-management platforms as needed, including Excel or Google Sheets.

Experience supporting staff or volunteer training, onboarding, or operational guidance in nonprofit, outdoor, or community-based settings, with the ability to support, reinforce, and evaluate training standards and safety practices through staff oversight and limited field engagement when necessary.

Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines in a dynamic program environment, exercising independent judgment within established frameworks to resolve issues and support effective program delivery.

Knowledge of outdoor safety principles and risk management practices sufficient to support safe program implementation, and the ability to maintain a professional demeanor and sound judgment under varied and sometimes demanding conditions.

Basic familiarity with vehicles and UTVs, along with field equipment, to support safe operations, training coordination, and administrative oversight; willingness to learn and continue building vehicle/UTV knowledge and skills over time.

3. Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position is primarily administrative and office-based, with periodic field presence for program oversight, staff support, training observation, or issue resolution - which may include bending, reaching, standing, walking over uneven terrain, and lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and, when required, an off-highway vehicle (including UTVs), in accordance with training and safety protocols.

Field activities may involve outdoor exposure to weather, dust, insects, and uneven terrain, while the majority of the role involves extended periods of administrative tasks, meetings, and coordination, with intermittent public interaction.

4. Special Qualifications

Must be at least 21 years of age due to insurance and vehicle operation requirements.

Must possess a valid Utah Driver’s License and be able to safely operate motor vehicles and off-highway vehicles (including UTVs) when required, in accordance with training and safety requirements.

Must successfully complete an introductory employment period, the duration of which is determined by organizational policy; completion of this period does not alter the at-will nature of employment.

Must successfully pass and maintain required criminal history background checks consistent with the duties of the position and applicable laws.

Must maintain confidentiality of sensitive organizational, donor, personnel, and partner information, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the Executive Director.

Equal Employment Opportunity / ADA Statement

Steward Moab is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Steward Moab is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact Steward Moab.

Job Description Disclaimer

The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this description.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not  intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right to  add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.