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

Job Description

Job Description

Mendocino Railway is the owner/operator of freight and passenger railroads including the California Western Railroad (CWR) / Skunk Train   and the   River Fox Train .  The world-famous Skunk Train is a standard gauge passenger railroad that was founded in 1885, and operates 40 miles between Fort Bragg and Willits, in Mendocino County, California.

The General Manager for the Redwood Route Trail “Trail Boss” is the senior executive responsible for the vision, development, construction, operation, maintenance, and growth of the California Western Railroad (CWR) / Skunk Train’s Maintenance of Way trail system.

This position has authority to establish the trail organization and hire the employees, managers, craftspeople, consultants, and contractors needed to plan, build, operate, and improve the trails and their attractions. The Trail Boss will turn broad ideas into completed projects and ensure that each project can be operated safely, maintained effectively, and supported financially.

The Trail Boss will initially lead development of the Redwood Route Trail, which will span more than 30 miles when completed. The position will also oversee future trail projects and trail-related offerings throughout the company. The Trail Boss works closely with railroad operating leadership wherever trail construction or operations interact with tracks, trains, employees, or guests.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to)

Executive Leadership

• 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.

Organization and Staffing

• 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.

Trail Development

• 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.

Construction and Project Delivery

• 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.

Trail Operations and Maintenance

• 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.

Guest Offerings

• 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.

Safety and Risk Management

• 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.

Environmental Stewardship

• 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.

Financial Management

• 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.

Partnerships and Communication

• 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.

Additional Responsibilities

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION 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.
• Experience with grants, public agencies, parks, environmental programs, or recreation partnerships is helpful.
• 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. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to spend extended periods walking and standing on uneven and rugged terrain.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments during changing weather conditions.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, push, pull, and use ordinary hand tools.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work safely near railroad tracks and moving equipment after receiving the required training and authorization.
• Ability to travel throughout company property and reach active construction and maintenance sites.

BENEFITS & ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Employment is full-time and includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement, paid holidays, paid sick leave, and paid time off.

EEO Statement

Mendocino Railway is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disabled status or any other protected class.