General Manager - Redwood Route Trail ("Trail Boss")

Sierra Railroad Company•Fort Bragg, CA

3d•$87,500 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Mendocino Railway is seeking a General Manager for the Redwood Route Trail, also known as "Trail Boss." This senior executive role is responsible for the vision, development, construction, operation, maintenance, and growth of the California Western Railroad (CWR) / Skunk Train’s Maintenance of Way trail system. The Trail Boss will establish the trail organization, hire necessary personnel, and transform broad ideas into completed projects that are safe, effectively maintained, and financially supported. Initially, this position will lead the development of the Redwood Route Trail, spanning over 30 miles, and will oversee future trail projects and offerings. Close collaboration with railroad operating leadership is essential where trail activities interact with tracks, trains, employees, or guests.

Requirements

Substantial leadership experience in trail systems, outdoor recreation, construction, infrastructure, tourism, attractions, land management, or a related field.
A record of taking complex projects from concept through construction, opening, and ongoing operation.
Experience building teams and directing employees, contractors, consultants, and partner organizations.
Experience managing operating budgets, capital projects, procurement, and contracts.
Working knowledge of construction, maintenance planning, site safety, and field operations.
Ability to evaluate creative ideas and determine how to build, operate, maintain, and improve them.
Sound judgment when balancing guest value, safety, cost, environmental conditions, and operating requirements.
Ability to work effectively with railroad operating personnel and follow established railroad safety requirements.
Strong organizational, negotiation, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to make decisions promptly and accept accountability for results.
Pre-employment DOT drug screen and background check required prior to hiring.
Valid driver’s license required
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to use project, asset, mapping, and reporting systems.
Ability to mentor and coach team members to deliver exceptional service.
Demonstrated ability to think and act quickly in responding to a variety of situations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language with the capacity to succinctly convey information.
Ability to effectively communicate and work with employees, contractors, regulatory representatives, public officials, and members of the public.
Visionary mindset with the ability to grow business unit(s) in profitable ways.

Nice To Haves

Experience with grants, public agencies, parks, environmental programs, or recreation partnerships is helpful.

Responsibilities

Establish the long-term vision and business plan for the CWR/Skunk Train’s trail system.
Set annual priorities, budgets, staffing plans, project schedules, and performance goals.
Advise the President on trail investments, operating needs, risks, and growth opportunities.
Build an organization capable of developing and operating multiple projects at different stages.
Establish clear responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority within the trail organization.
Determine the employees, contractors, and professional services required for each project and for ongoing operations.
Recruit, hire, direct, and evaluate trail personnel.
Select and manage qualified contractors, fabricators, consultants, and technical specialists.
Develop managers and team members who can assume responsibility for projects, operations, maintenance, and guest service.
Establish work plans, schedules, training requirements, and quality standards.
Identify and evaluate new trail routes, attractions, recreation opportunities, interpretive features, events, and other uses of company property.
Turn approved concepts into practical scopes of work, budgets, schedules, staffing plans, and operating plans.
Direct site assessment, planning, permitting, engineering, procurement, construction, installation, testing, and opening.
Ensure that new projects account for accessibility, maintenance, staffing, safety, environmental conditions, and long-term operating costs.
Create a continuing pipeline of projects rather than treating trail development as a single construction effort.
Direct construction and improvement projects from initial planning through completion.
Establish project budgets, schedules, milestones, and acceptance standards.
Oversee contractors and internal crews working on trail projects.
Monitor cost, schedule, workmanship, safety, and environmental compliance.
Resolve field problems and make timely decisions needed to keep projects moving.
Confirm that completed projects are safe, maintainable, and ready for public use.
Oversee daily and seasonal operation of the trail system.
Maintain trail surfaces, drainage, vegetation, bridges, culverts, trailheads, kiosks, gates, fencing, rest areas, signage, wayfinding, and other trail assets.
Establish inspection schedules and preventive-maintenance programs.
Plan major repairs, replacements, and capital improvements.
Manage closures, service interruptions, and changing trail conditions.
Coordinate trail work with the Roadmaster and railroad operating personnel to minimize conflicts and protect employees and guests.
Ensure that the trails provide distinctive, enjoyable, and well-managed reasons for guests to visit the Skunk Train.
Direct the development of attractions, play features, interpretive installations, storytelling, signage, maps, digital information, and seasonal activities.
Ensure that new offerings reflect the redwoods, local history, conservation, and the character of the Skunk Train.
Test and improve offerings based on operating results, employee observations, guest feedback, maintenance requirements, and financial performance.
Maintain consistent standards for accessibility, appearance, service, and guest communication.
Establish safety procedures for construction, maintenance, public access, and trail operations.
Require regular inspections and timely correction of hazards.
Develop emergency plans and coordinate with railroad personnel, local fire departments, emergency medical services, and law enforcement.
Ensure that employees and contractors receive the training required for their work.
Control access to railroad property and coordinate all work near tracks or moving equipment with the appropriate railroad authority.
Maintain incident records and use them to improve procedures and training.
Ensure compliance with applicable railroad regulations, environmental requirements, and operating conditions.
Protect sensitive habitat and minimize unnecessary disturbance during construction and operations.
Direct erosion control, vegetation management, invasive-species removal, and wildfire-risk reduction.
Coordinate environmental monitoring when required.
Incorporate durable materials and low-impact construction methods where practical.
Develop and manage operating and capital budgets.
Approve expenditures within assigned authority and maintain appropriate financial controls.
Oversee procurement, contracts, inventory, and vendor performance.
Evaluate proposed projects based on cost, operating requirements, guest value, and expected financial contribution.
Pursue grants and outside funding when appropriate.
Report regularly on budgets, project status, operating performance, attendance, incidents, and maintenance needs.
Represent the trail program in discussions with agencies, communities, emergency services, contractors, partner organizations, and other stakeholders.
Work with Marketing, Guest Services, railroad operations, maintenance personnel, and company leadership.
Communicate plans, responsibilities, risks, and decisions clearly.
Maintain constructive relationships while protecting the company’s operating and financial interests.
Travel to company properties and project sites as required.
Work weekends, holidays, or special events when operating conditions require executive oversight.
Respond to urgent construction, safety, weather, or operating issues.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the business.