Careers

Position Openings with the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

Updated Oct. 2, 2026

Development Officer

  • Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt
  • Salary & Benefits: $70,000 to $75,000 DOE
  • Medical benefits; ability to participate in retirement plan with employer contribution. Vacation, holiday, and floating holiday days as well as sick days.
  • Reports To: Executive Director
  • Job Location: The MTRP Foundation office is located at the park’s Visitor and Interpretive Center at 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail in San Diego.

Position Overview

The Development Officer will create and execute the organization’s fundraising plan to engage new individual donors, potential foundation and corporate donors, and strengthen existing donor relations through stewardship and recognition initiatives. Responsibilities also include donor database management with timely and accurate recognition and record keeping. The Development Officer will build and launch the Foundation’s Planned Giving program, and participate in the grants program, from researching and identifying relevant funders to writing grant proposals and reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Create and execute Development Plan and implement strategies to increase financial support to the MTRP Foundation through direct mail, e-solicitations, and personal outreach.
  • Coordinate appeals to various constituencies and audiences.
  • Research potential donors and prepare fundraising prospect profiles.
  • With assistance of colleagues, lead the Hike-a-Thon fundraising initiative.
  • Manage the park’s commemorative bench and picnic table sponsorship program.
  • Oversee processing and coding of all gift receipts and acknowledgment letters. Reconcile all records with the accounting department.
  • Prepare regular reports about fundraising activities, including the planning and preparation of future budgets, etc.
  • Working with colleagues, create promotional/fundraising materials including mail appeals, and special event and campaign collateral (print/digital).
  • Schedule visits with donors for Executive Director as well as participate in donor meetings and direct solicitations.
  • Launch the MTRP Foundation’s Planned Giving program using an online platform.
  • Ensure current understanding of tax law and IRS rulings that impact charitable giving.
  • Update the Visitor Center donor board twice annually and create donor lists as needed.

Qualifications ­– Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • Development professional with a proven track record of successful solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
  • Capacity and creativity to engage and inspire a diverse set of donors, stakeholders, funders, community leaders, and volunteers.
  • Passion for MTRP’s mission to protect, preserve, and improve the park.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to smoothly manage competing priorities and respond to the needs of a dynamic organization, effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to work independently on assignments with accuracy and minimal direction.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortability with speaking in groups and creating presentation decks or related materials for donor meetings and proposals.
  • Skilled in donor software and database applications and the ability to ensure accurate record-keeping and reporting of fundraising activity and portfolio management. DonorPerfect experience a plus.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to successfully work as part of a team, and with funders, donors, and community stakeholders.
  • Proficient user of Microsoft Office and Google programs.
  • Ability to maintain confidential office information, including donors, contributions, and all constituent information.
  • Commitment to continued professional growth and development to maintain and upgrade relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to stoop, kneel, bend, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, work with fingers, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions.
  • Ability to perform light work exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Valid CPR certificate or willingness to complete a CPR course through MTRP Foundation
  • Required to work in both indoor and outdoor environments.

To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to hr@mtrp.org explaining how you believe your skills, background, and work experience meet the position’s qualifications. Make sure to put Development Officer in the email subject line. Must be available to begin work by August 24, 2026.

Education Program Aide

  • Status: Part-time, Non-Exempt
  • Compensation: $23/hour
  • Reports To: Education Manager
  • Job Location: Mission Trails Regional Park

Position Overview

The Education Program Aide will deliver high-quality educational experiences to children and other groups using hands-on, interactive teaching techniques. They will help facilitate K-12 student programs including onsite field trips, outreach events, day camps and programming for families. The Education Program Aide’s efforts will support the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation’s mission to educate the community about the park and foster environmental stewardship.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Implement learning and recreational activities with large and small student groups.
  • Lead nature hikes, craft projects and conservation learning activities with large and small student groups on a variety of outdoor education subjects and in a variety of settings.
  • Deliver hands-on lessons that connect students directly with native plants, wildlife ecology and local cultural history.
  • Supervise students and ensure safety procedures are followed during outdoor and indoor activities.
  • Assist education staff in ensuring the site is kept clean and orderly and equipment and supplies are properly stocked.

Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, education or a related field.
  • A minimum of two years of college coursework in biology, environmental science, education or a related field.
  • At least two years of teaching experience in a classroom, outdoor program, science center, zoo or nature center.
  • Proficiency in instructing student and public audiences in both classroom and field settings.
  • General knowledge of the native animals and ecosystems of San Diego.
  • Excellent public speaking skills and expertise in engaging groups.
  • Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Commitment to providing equitable access to nature.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Work Site

The position is based at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center and includes leading groups on trails from the Visitor Center and at other locations throughout the park. The position requires work in both indoor and outdoor environments, with some evenings and weekends.

Work Schedule

Hours for this position vary according to programmatic needs but are primarily during the school week, with occasional weekend program support.

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to stoop, kneel, bend, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, work with fingers, grasp, feel, talk, hear and perform repetitive motions.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Complete a background check and TB test through the MTRP Foundation.
  • Current First Aid/CPR certification preferred or ability to obtain certification upon hire.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general job responsibilities and is not inclusive of every duty the employee is expected to perform.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to slebron@mtrp.org explaining how you believe your skills, background and work experience meet the position’s qualifications.

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

About the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

Founded in 1988, the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation works in partnership with the City of San Diego to preserve and protect Mission Trails and provide and promote educational and recreational opportunities. Comprised of more than 8,000 acres, Mission Trails is one of the largest urban parks in the United States with more than two million visitors annually.