Application Guide
How to Apply for Trail Engagement Manager
at Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
🏢 About Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation (LCTA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. As the official nonprofit partner of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, LCTA works with the National Park Service and a vast network of partners to inspire stewardship and engagement across 4,900 miles of trail. Working here means being part of a passionate community that values history, collaboration, and meaningful public engagement.
About This Role
As the Trail Engagement Manager, you will be the face of LCTA across the 16-state trail corridor, building and nurturing relationships with chapters, regions, tribes, agencies, and community partners. This role is pivotal in activating LCTA's strategic plan and ensuring the trail community remains connected and vibrant. You'll have the unique opportunity to travel, engage with diverse stakeholders, and directly contribute to the preservation and celebration of an iconic American story.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual meeting with a regional chapter to plan an upcoming event, followed by responding to emails from partners and members. You might spend the afternoon traveling to a trail site to meet with a local museum or tribal representative, or drafting a newsletter update. Evenings could involve attending a virtual board meeting or preparing a presentation for an upcoming conference.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation Is Looking For
- A relationship-driven professional with 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit outreach, membership engagement, or partnership development, preferably in a geographically dispersed context.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with diverse audiences including tribal nations, federal agencies, volunteers, and community leaders.
- Self-motivated and organized, capable of managing multiple projects and priorities while working remotely with minimal supervision.
- Passionate about history, heritage tourism, and outdoor recreation, with a willingness to travel frequently (up to 50%) along the trail corridor.
📝 Tips for Applying to Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of relationship building and managing partnerships across a large geographic area—quantify your impact where possible.
In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of LCTA's mission and the significance of the Lewis and Clark Trail, possibly referencing a specific regional chapter or current initiative.
Showcase any experience working with volunteer networks, tribal communities, or federal agencies, as these are critical to the role.
If you have a portfolio or examples of successful engagement programs (e.g., newsletters, events, social media campaigns), include links or attachments.
Research the LCTA's strategic plan and recent projects, and mention how you could contribute to their goals in your application materials.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Express genuine enthusiasm for the Lewis and Clark story and the mission of LCTA, and explain why you want to be an ambassador for this historic trail.', 'Highlight your experience in building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, and provide concrete examples of successful partnership development.', 'Emphasize your ability to work independently and manage a remote role, including your approach to staying organized and proactive.', 'Mention any relevant travel experience or willingness to travel extensively, and your comfort with engaging communities across different states and cultures.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore the LCTA website to understand their current strategic plan, recent initiatives, and the structure of their regions and chapters.
- → Read about the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, its key sites, and the role of the National Park Service in its management.
- → Look into LCTA's partnerships with tribal nations and their efforts in indigenous engagement to show cultural awareness.
- → Review their social media and newsletters to get a sense of their tone and the types of stories they highlight.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't send a generic cover letter that could apply to any nonprofit job—make it specific to LCTA and the trail.
- Avoid focusing only on your love for history without demonstrating your relationship-building and project management skills.
- Don't underestimate the travel requirement; be clear about your willingness and ability to travel, and avoid seeming hesitant about it.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation!