Job Title:

Parks to

Passes Trail Planner & Project Manager Location:

County Planning Office, Powell County, MT Position Type:

Salary with benefits, full time; hours and time demands will vary

Salary:

$60,000 - $75,000 annually for a period of 2.5-3 years In-person or remote attendance: Hybrid About the Role Powell County is seeking a highly collaborative Trail Planner/Project Manager (PM) to implement a federal BUILD planning grant for a large trail corridor identification project. The selected individual should have strong experience in planning and project management for large, cross-boundary outdoor recreation projects. Background Powell County, the lead applicant for an informal partnership of six local governing bodies, was awarded $6,313,019 from the federal RAISE, (now BUILD) federal grant program in 2025 to plan an active transportation route fromButte to the Montana-Idaho border in Mineral County.

The project partners [Partners] include:

Butte-Silver Bow, Granite County, Missoula County, the City of Missoula, and Mineral County. Powell County is the applicant and sole grant awardee. The terms of the partnership are defined between the Partners in an Interlocal Agreement (Attachment A). Staff represent Partners in Butte, Missoula County, the City of Missoula, and Powell County. Granite and Mineral Counties are represented by a non-profit partner acting as liaison with the local government through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). Collectively, the Partners associate as, or may refer to the organization as "the Coalition." The funds will be used to hire out professional services and an in-house project manager to implement the PARKS to

PASSES FY2024 RAISE PLANNING GRANT REQUEST.

The

FHWA BUILD

Contract obligates Powell County to provide the following: "Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study in the form of a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to identify projected trail alignment and associated conditions between six project partners, and complete higher level design of five Spotlight Projects on a route spanning from the Montana-Idaho border to the Continental Divide generally following the I-90 corridor." The funds will be used to implement the PARKS to

PASSES FY2024 RAISE PLANNING GRANT REQUEST. A

copy of the grant request (Application) can be found on the Powell County, Montana website at: https://www.powellcountymt.gov/planning-department/page/parks-passes. The BUILD grant application includes further context regarding the vision, timeline, and commitments. The project will be completed in one phase and the current FHWA completion date is September 30, 2029 . This is the projected sunset date for this position. The selected individual will work for Powell County to spearhead the development of the Parks to Passes trail planning project. The PM will support the Powell County Planning Department, the Trail Coalition partners, and a contracted team of professional consultants to complete the grant requirements and deliverables. The Project Manager will bridge the gap between local, state, federal, and private stakeholders to plan a trail corridor that will boost community and economic vitality through improved connection to outdoor recreation opportunities. The position is considered full-time, and will be paid on a salary basis with full benefits. The applicant must be based in western Montana. Remote work is acceptable, but a regular schedule must be established for in-person work days and updates in the Powell County Planning Department, which is located in the Powell County Courthouse in Deer Lodge, Montana. Key Responsibilities 1.

Project continuity:

Engagement through the life of the project. Work with project partners, including local governments and their representatives, to ensure the project vision is carried forward. Integrate Parks to Passes into local public planning documents as the opportunity aligns with project development. 2.

Project administration:

Ensure project stays on time and within budget. Responsible for budget monitoring, including review and approval of progress billings and requests for draws to pay Project-Related Costs; 3. Lead Trail Coalition coordination, organize meetings, track feedback, facilitate approvals, and clearly communicate timelines and expected deliverables. Time expectation is heavy during project initiation and prior to key milestones ie public meetings. 4. Identify community-scale outreach needs. Grow accustomed to neighborhood plans. Understand the Goals and priorities for . Be thoughtful about scale of engagement. Public engagement will follow the detailed scope of work for the Project as outlined in the grant application. and must address each community's unique needs and circumstances. 5. Grant Reporting 6. Participate in RFP response reviews and interviews. Coordinate with Coalition around RFP selection and award. 7. Attend project kickoff meeting with Consultant Team. 8. This position includes federal grant administration. 9. Lead Coalition and liaison with Consultant Team for project kickoff, branding, and website development activities 10. Develop coordination with Railroad, USFS, BLM, DNRC, Floodplain Administrators, MDT, FWP, USACE, DEQ, USFWS, USEPA, Conservation Districts, Big Sky Passenger Rail & CSKT, Rails to Trail Conservancy (RTC). Build strategic partnerships with non-profits with aligned goals in advocacy and community building. 11. Advise with Consultant Team and Coalition in the development of a Community Outreach Plan 12. Attend community visioning workshops (at least one per partner). 13. Advise with Consultant Team and Coalition in the development of Community Profiles from the outreach with each community. 14. Attend return workshops (at least one per partner) 15. Assist with circulation of PER drafts and organized tracking and integration of feedback. 16. Assist with tracking spotlight project design deliverables and facilitate coordination and approvals as-needed. 17. Facilitate contract amendments and Partner approvals as-needed. 18. Track key project points, successes, & failures 19.

Media outreach:

Respond to and undertake publicity opportunities and events 20. Know or learn the political landscape around trails and outdoor recreation.

Navigate political headwinds:

educate and advocate.

Qualifications Education:

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Studies, or a closely related field.

Experience:

3+ years of experience in cross-boundary trail planning, outdoor recreation management, or community planning. Direct experience working in the rural West is highly desired

Skills:

Strong communication, and proven conflict-resolution/negotiation skills, familiarity with adaptive outdoor recreation concepts and design standards

Knowledge:

Familiarity with NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) processes and Montana land-use laws. How to Apply Submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your experience with cross-boundary collaboration, and a portfolio of relevant trail or regional planning projects to acooley@powellcountymt.gov by August 17, 2026 . Interviews will be conducted August 18-20 and August 24-25 . Please disclose any schedule conflicts with these dates in your application email.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Deer Lodge, MT 59722