Program Support Specialist (Roanoke, VA)

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.

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.
• Care for volunteer onboarding logistics, including registration tracking and communication with base camp staff.
• Aid 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.

• Licence Plate Grant Program Administration (GA, NC, TN, VA)

• Administer multi-state licence 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.