Position Openings with the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation
Updated July 1, 2026
Education Manager
- 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 Education Manager will oversee the MTRP Foundation’s education programs, including school field trips, youth programming, summer camps, and educational offerings for adults. The selected individual will develop and deliver age-appropriate curriculum for youth and ensure education staff are delivering programming that is age and audience appropriate.
This role will also support the development of educational programs and engagement opportunities for MTRP donors and other community stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversee the MTRP Foundation education programs, including field trips, youth programs, summer camps, and educational programming for adult audiences.
- Develop and adapt curriculum aligned with California State standards and experiential outdoor learning objectives.
- Serve as lead instructor for visiting school groups and youth organizations, coordinating schedules and managing supplemental educators and volunteers.
- Recruit, train, mentor, and supervise educators, camp staff, interns, and education volunteers.
- Foster inclusive, engaging, and culturally responsive learning environments for diverse audiences.
- Participate in donor events, community programs, and partner gatherings to help build and strengthen relationships with supporters and stakeholders.
- Communicate with teachers, school administrators, and group leaders before and after visits to ensure successful program delivery.
- Develop and administer program evaluations, surveys, and outcome measurements for reporting, grants, and continuous program improvement.
- Maintain accurate program records, participant data, and reporting documentation for grant reports and other uses.
- Conduct outreach and build partnerships with schools, community organizations, and underserved groups to expand program participation.
- Monitor inventory and maintain interpretive materials, teaching supplies, and field equipment.
- Research, develop, and produce new educational materials, activities, and interpretive resources.
- Assist with budgeting and purchasing for education programs and supplies.
- Represent MTRP Foundation at community events and outreach programs.
- Assess outdoor hazards, enforce safety protocols, and administer first aid and emergency response when necessary.
- Supervise and oversee the schedules and evaluations of full and part-time educators as well as supervise temporary staff hired for camps.
Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Bachelor’s and/or advanced degree in Education, Environmental Education, Natural Sciences, or a related field.
- Experience in outdoor education, including teaching and/or guiding outdoor programs.
- Supervisory experience managing and evaluating staff.
- Track record for creating and delivering age-appropriate educational programming for diverse audiences and learning styles.
- Ability to independently organize work, manage multiple priorities, and oversee programs.
- Excellent written, interpersonal communication, and public speaking skills.
- Ability to effectively interact with staff, visitors, educators, donors, and stakeholders at all levels.
- Demonstrated outdoor leadership skills, including excellent teaching, presentation, planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Collaborative thought leader with proven analytical and decision-making skills.
- Knowledge of outdoor safety practices, risk management, and experiential learning principles.
- Knowledge of Southern California ecosystems, native plants, and regional natural history preferred.
- Proficient user of Microsoft Office and Google programs.
- Operational knowledge of office, audiovisual, and related program equipment.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification preferred or ability to obtain upon hire.
- Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight programs 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 your skills, background, and experience align with the qualifications and responsibilities of this position. Make sure to put Education Manager in the email subject line. Applicant must be available to begin work by August 24, 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.
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.