Project management, Outdoor recreation, Trails

Job Posting: Project Manager – Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Strategy
Organization: Greenbelt Foundation
Location: Hybrid (Ontario-based, with frequent travel along the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail corridor)

Term: Contract through December 2026
Start Date: As soon as possible
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

About the Oak Ridges Trail Association

The Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) is a charitable organization dedicated to planning, promoting, creating, and maintaining public recreational trails across the Oak Ridges Moraine. Through trail maintenance, education, and community engagement, ORTA fosters appreciation and respect for the Moraine's ecological, cultural, and scenic integrity, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

About the Role

The Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) is seeking an experienced and motivated Project Manager to lead the implementation of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Strategy—a legacy initiative to renew, reconnect, and reimagine the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail (ORM Trail).

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of trail development, environmental stewardship, Indigenous reconciliation, and community engagement. The Project Manager will report jointly to ORTA and the Greenbelt Foundation, with additional support and direction provided by ORM Trail partners and advisors. The Project Manager will be responsible for executing the 2025-2026 work plan with clear strategic priorities: establishing a permanent governance model; conducting landowner, wayfinding, and amenities audits; delivering community open houses; engaging with Trail partners; and identifying a preferred trail route and land securement strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Leadership & Coordination
  • Lead implementation of the 2025-26 ORM Trail Work Plan.
  • Support administrative functions for two Trail Working Groups including an Indigenous Working Group, and deliver regular project updates to the Greenbelt Foundation and ORTA Board of Directors.
  • Collaborate with Indigenous partners to integrate Indigenous knowledge, values, and priorities into work plan activities.
• Trail Governance
  • Support the development and establishment of a permanent governance model for the ORM Trail.
  • Engage ORTA Trail Chapters in the implementation of the Trail Strategy work plan and contribute to volunteer recruitment, retention strategies, and leadership development for key Chapter roles.
• Trail Development & Planning
  • Conduct audits to provide an up-to-date record of current trail landowners, wayfinding, branding elements, storytelling assets, and trail amenities.
  • Maintain accurate and consistent documentation and records of audit findings and other key information related to the Trail.
  • Develop and implement a Landowner Relations Plan, including protocols to sustain strong relationships and clear documentation practices with Trail landowners.
  • Lead the development of a Preferred Trail Route and a Land Securement Strategy, engaging trail users, First Nations and other Indigenous Peoples, municipalities, conservation authorities, land trusts, and others.
  • Engage municipalities, conservation authorities, First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and other potential partners to build alignment on the Preferred Trail.
  • As part of identifying a Preferred Trail Route, finalize User Experience Criteria and develop an Amenities Plan for the Trail that reflects feedback from engagement activities.
• Communications & Engagement
  • Collaborate with the Greenbelt Foundation on public outreach, media relations, and government engagement.
  • Collaborate with the Greenbelt Foundation and Trail Working Groups to plan and deliver public open houses in Trail communities.
  • Attend community-facing events, including ORTA’s Discovery Nights, to maintain visibility, transparency, and momentum.
• Other
  • Support the ORTA Board with evaluating and improving administrative functions including the assessment of digital tools software.
  • Support ORTA Board with financial planning and budgeting.
  • Assist the Greenbelt Foundation in the creation of a Resourcing Plan and Fundraising Strategy to ensure long-term sustainability of the Trail.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant project management or coordination experience, ideally in trail development, environmental planning, conservation, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of trail development or conservation, including familiarity with landowner engagement and securement processes.
• Demonstrated experience working with or alongside Indigenous communities and organizations, including meaningful engagement and the integration of Indigenous knowledge and values into project planning and delivery.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-partner projects with competing priorities.
• Strong organizational skills, with experience in coordinating committees or working groups, and maintaining accurate project records and documentation.
• Experience with governance models and/or fundraising or resourcing strategies, particularly in the nonprofit or environmental sector, is an asset.
• Comfort with digital tools and platforms used for project tracking, event registration, and volunteer management. Familiarity with GIS or mapping tools is an asset.
• Passion for trails, conservation, and outdoor recreation.
• Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable working style.

Work Conditions

• This role is full-time, 40 hours per week.
• This role is hybrid and a home office is required. There will be occasional travel to the Greenbelt Foundation office in Toronto and frequent travel along the Trail corridor. This role involves working outdoors, attending community events, and conducting site visits.
• The successful applicant will need a Valid Ontario Class G driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for travel along the Trail.
• Occasional evening or weekend work is required, including ORTA Board meetings and public engagement events.

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY

Applications should be received no later than June 30, 2025.

To apply for this position, submit a resume through our online portal.

Apply Here

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

If you have questions, please email msipos@greenbelt.ca .

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only successful candidates will be contacted.

This opportunity is being posted by the Greenbelt Foundation on behalf of ORTA.

The Greenbelt Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Foundation is also committed to providing an accessible workplace. For individuals with disabilities, accommodation is available upon request. Should you require accommodation at any stage of the selection process, please let us know. We will work with you to meet your needs.