Program Support Specialist (Roanoke, VA)

Organizational Mission:

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Position Summary

The Program Support Specialist reports to the Regional Director and provides programmatic, operational, and administrative coordination and support for regional programs and initiatives. The position supports trail operations, volunteer engagement, partnership activities, grant administration, and regional operations by coordinating activities, maintaining program information and records, tracking deadlines and requirements, and supporting effective communication among staff, volunteers, partners, and other stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with Regional Managers, program staff, volunteers, partners, and cross-functional teams, the Program Support Specialist assists with the coordination and implementation of Trail Crew projects, volunteer activities, regional meetings and events, and other program initiatives. The position also administers established processes for multi-state Appalachian Trail license plate grant programs, including coordinating applications and awards, maintaining documentation, tracking program and compliance requirements, and supporting accurate financial reporting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer Engagement & Trail Operations Support

• Support recruitment and promotion of volunteer trail crew opportunities in partnership with the Trail Operations Manager, ensuring clear communication and strong candidate experience.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for volunteer inquiries, delivering a streamlined and responsive registration process.
• Coordinate volunteer onboarding logistics, including registration tracking and communication with base camp staff.
• Assist in planning, tracking, and execution of Trail Crew projects, including milestone management, documentation, and progress reporting.
• Provide project coordination support to regional staff, including contract drafting, change tracking, and status updates.
• Contribute to planning and execution of Appalachian Trail Communities program initiatives and events.

Partnership Communications & Regional Coordination 

• Coordinate regional partnership meetings, including logistics, scheduling, and stakeholder communication across ATC staff and external partners.
• Maintain and update regional directories for volunteers, partners, and donors to ensure accurate stakeholder engagement.
• Manage and maintain regional calendars for volunteer events, meetings, and key initiatives.
• Support publication and promotion of club activities across ATC communication channels.
• Coordinate meeting logistics (virtual and in-person), including facility reservations, technology platforms, and vendor arrangements.
• Partner with the Communications team to support regional media requests and outreach efforts.

License Plate Grant Program Administration (GA, NC, TN, VA)

• Administer multi-state license plate grant programs, including program promotion, application intake, review coordination, and award distribution.
• Ensure accurate tracking of grant funding, expenditures, and compliance requirements in partnership with Finance.
• Identify and implement strategies to increase program visibility and revenue generation.
• Develop and maintain governance frameworks, including policies for committee structure, succession planning, and fund allocation.

Regional Operations & Administrative Excellence

• Support budget tracking and monitor program expenditures for accuracy and accountability.
• Prepare, edit, and finalize internal and external documents for distribution to partners and stakeholders.
• Identify and implement process improvements and technology solutions to increase operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, nonprofit management, outdoor recreation, natural resource management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• One to three years of experience providing program coordination, administrative, operational, or project support in a nonprofit, government, conservation, outdoor recreation, or related environment preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using spreadsheets, databases, collaboration platforms, and other technology systems to maintain information, prepare reports, and support program operations.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to prepare, review, proofread, and format reports, correspondence, presentations, and other program materials.
• Ability to accurately process information, follow established procedures, and communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative within established responsibilities, identify and resolve routine operational issues, and seek guidance when appropriate.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, community partners, nonprofit organizations, and local, state, and federal agency partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering grants, funding programs, contracts, or similar programs, including maintaining documentation, tracking expenditures and deliverables, and supporting compliance and reporting requirements.
• Experience coordinating volunteers, meetings, events, partnership activities, or multi-stakeholder programs.
• Familiarity with the Appalachian Trail, conservation, outdoor recreation, trail maintenance, volunteer engagement, natural resource management, or cooperative management models.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Combination of remote and/or shared office environments. Remote workstations will require reliable, high-speed internet access.
• Prolonged periods of computer and telephone use.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required to support meetings, events, and partner engagement activities.
• May be exposed to hazardous physical conditions and seasonal exposure to extreme weather conditions, including rain, snow, humidity, intense heat, and sunlight.
• Possible exposure to ticks, insects, wildlife, and other back country hazards.
• Travel may include site visits for land acquisition projects, meetings with landowners and partners, coordination with Land Trust Alliance representatives, and participation in ATC meetings or events. Travel frequency will vary based on project needs and accreditation milestones.
• This position is in either the Asheville or Roanoke regional office.

Additional Details:

• Location: Region spans VA/TN border (3 miles south of Damascus) to Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, WV. Preferred position location is within commuting distance to Roanoke, VA.
• Workstation available in ATC's regional office in Roanoke. Position requires travel throughout the region for meetings and occasional field work/site visits, and travel out-of-region a few times a year.
• Hourly Range: ($22.00 - $26.00)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance available.
• Company paid long-term disability and life insurance provided.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service.

ATC Equal Employment Opportunity Statement  

ATC encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness with all employees and volunteers to enable participation and contributions to their fullest potential.

We are committed to being an inclusive organization and recognize that a broad range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds contributes to an effective and successful organizational culture and mission.

ATC prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and/or expression), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, political affiliation, union membership, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the locations where we operate.

ATC's Identity Statement