Trails Event Manager

Title: Trails Event Manager
Schedule: Full-time – May include weekends and holidays during event season
FLSA: Exempt – Salaried
Reports to: Executive Director

They say if you have a job that you love you’ll never work a day in your life!

At Green Mountain Horse Association located in gorgeous South Woodstock, Vermont, we have jobs that you’ll love.

If you love horses, Vermont’s amazing outdoors, and all things equestrian, join our team of fun, hard-working equine enthusiasts and do WHAT YOU LOVE every day, while enjoying horses and their magical combination of grace, beauty, spirit and strength.

4 seasons. Rare opportunity. Competitive pay and benefits. APPLY NOW!

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Plan
• Vacation Time (Earned)
• Personal time (Yes)
• Sick Time (Earned)
• IRA Match (after 1 year)

Purpose:

In support of GMHA’s mission, work to identify and maintain trails for GMHA member and competitor use, manage the Trail and Open Space Program (TOSP) which works to preserve equestrian trails and conserve Vermont’s rural landscape, and manage all trail related events.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of GMHA’s Members’ Days, pleasure and competitive trail events, including:
• Planning and Budgeting
• Organizing and overseeing meetings relevant to specific events such as the 100-mile ride
• Deciding on the format for each event in discussion with the Trails Committee
• Licensing agreements for sanctioning recognized events
• Advertising and Marketing, including omnibus listings and event programs
• Securing awards and prizes; overseeing awards presentation(s)
• Hiring Officials and event staff; initiating contracts and communicating housing needs
• Communicating needs to the Grounds Crew
• Catering and social activities for the events
• Assuring ride times and stabling assignments are completed in a timely manner and communicated to the competitors
• Recruiting and managing volunteers
• Being onsite to oversee the event and communicate with officials, staff, volunteers and competitors
• Assuring results are reported as required
• Assuring the quality and safety of the event
• Preparing the after-event survey seeking competitor feedback
• Applying for relevant camping permits as required, ensuring compliance with regulations, and monitoring the camp site to minimize disruption to neighbors; filing public notices and permits in a timely manner.
• Overseeing the ride secretary, stepping in to fulfill responsibilities of the role where necessary

Trail Master:

• Oversee all aspects of the GMHA trail system including:
• Identifying trails for use during all Members’ Days, pleasure and competitive rides each season, and design courses appropriate to each event.
• Notifying landowners of intended use; take responsibility for ensuring up-to-date permission slips are on file for each section of trail to be used.
• Taking responsibility for ensuring all trails to be used are in a safe and suitable condition prior to each event.
• Liaising with landowners/trail stewards/volunteers/GMHA grounds staff to ensure trails are returned to an acceptable state following each event.
• Overseeing and participate in the marking, and un-marking of trails pre and post events.
• Working with land ambassadors and the local community to identify and appoint trail stewards/volunteers to assess trail conditions and identify maintenance issues.
• Working with landowners/trail stewards/volunteers/GMHA grounds staff to affect maintenance in a timely fashion, with priority on trails used for organized rides.
• Convening annual spring meetings for land ambassadors, trail stewards and volunteers and work to ensure inclusiveness for all involved in trail maintenance.
• Convening regular meetings of the trail Committee to set maintenance priorities, discuss trail expenditures, and address related issues.
• Organizing and supervising volunteer work days.

Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications:

• Ability to motivate and work effectively with volunteers, groups and individuals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of common office productivity and GIS software.
• Demonstrated creative planning, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize own work, coordinate projects with others, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of trail riding events.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a personable manner towards supervisors, staff, clients, suppliers, and the general public.
• Ability to interact with others with tact and diplomacy.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to respond appropriately to pressures, deadlines and frequent changes in priorities and schedules.
• Initiative, sound judgment and ability to work independently.
• Honesty, reliability, and a good work ethic.
• Valid driver’s license required.

ABOUT GMHA
The Green Mountain Horse Association is a non-profit organization that organizes competitive, recreational, and educational equine activities in a number of disciplines (eventing, dressage, driving, hunter/jumper, competitive trail, endurance and pleasure trail rides). Our mission is to provide activities for diverse equestrian disciplines and promote trails preservation, horsemanship, and youth education. GMHA maintains the industry standard for competitive equestrian events while staying invested in our own origin and educational mission. Our multi-faceted effort includes ensuring the sustainability of our trail system.

#GM!