Position Summary

Trailblazers, in partnership with the Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department, is seeking a leader to fill an immediate vacancy for a Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner. The Department is looking for an individual who shares our commitment to enriching lives through recreation, leisure, and culture. The future incumbent will be responsible for managing the City’s comprehensive trails program, which includes implementing city master plans such as the Connect Bentonville Plan, the Master Street Plan, and the Play Bentonville Master Plan. Essential to the position is the collaboration and coordination with other City departments, County and regional agencies, community groups, and various stakeholders. This role supports the planning and implementation of bicycle, pedestrian, and trail infrastructure throughout Bentonville’s active transportation network.

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Responsibilities**

• Manage all aspects of the City’s trail program by providing complete design, engineering, plan development, construction oversight, project management, material procurement, scheduling, permitting compliance, and budgeting for contracted projects.

• Oversee projects including trails, protected bike lanes, shared lane markings, signage, bicycle and micro-mobility parking facilities, crosswalks, and signals.

• Assist in the development and implementation of the citywide bicycle and pedestrian program using best practices and national guidance to ensure facilities are designed and constructed for the health, safety, and welfare of people of all ages and abilities.

• Coordinate with local foundations, community partners, and related stakeholder groups to manage and distribute relevant communication and updates.

• Prepare and manage trail program budget items based on departmental and grant funding for future trail projects and maintenance needs each year.

• Serve as the Active Transportation Coordinator for the City and manage the implementation of the adopted Transportation Plans as necessary.

• Manage contractor to develop a Community Micro-mobility Program as determined by City Ordinance, including bike/scooter share programs.

• Prepare City Council agenda items and work with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission, and multiple staff committees focused on improving City infrastructure.

• Pursue and manage federal, state, and private grant projects from start to finish, including applications, reporting, preparing bid plan sets, specifications, construction management, and close-out documentation as required by the grantor.

• Manage the acquisition of right of way and easements for trail projects, negotiations with property owners and direct the land agents/surveyors in the preparation of legal documents.

• Acquire permits from state and federal agencies including FEMA, United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as necessary for trail projects.

• Coordinate with local utility companies for relocations associated with trail projects and negotiate reimbursement amounts for the cost of utility relocations if necessary.

• Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

• Receive and administer trail maintenance requests from citizens, determine necessary solutions, and coordinate with the responsible City departments for resolution.

• Manage the design and implementation of scheduled trail maintenance inspections and repairs of items including bridges, railings, trail pavement, and lighting.

• Coordinate regular active transportation meetings with City Transportation, Engineering, Parks and Recreation Departments, and other departments as needed.

• Prepare, promote, and distribute agenda items and content for these meetings.

• Serve as the Mayor’s designated representative on the Razorback Greenway Alliance to provide consistent guidance for the operations and management of the Razorback Greenway.

• Participate and help guide policy in regional and state trails groups and meetings to ensure coordination between the City’s master plans and construction programs with those of other regional cities and the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

• Update Master trails plan, city details, and specs for trails as needed.

• Meet with the Mayor monthly to update on status of projects that have trails associated with them.

• Review and approve developer plans to ensure that required trails are on plans and designed to City and national standards.

• Review and approve any changes to trails under construction, whether part of a developer-led or City project.

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Preferred Qualifications**

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Construction Management, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, or related field from accredited college or university.

• Minimum of 2+ years of experience in the project management of soft and hard surface trails, active transportation and trails and pedestrian circulation planning.

• Demonstrated knowledge of various types of trail construction materials and methods, storm water management, and plant materials.

• Demonstrated knowledge of industry standards and contract management as well as innovative technologies (trail erosion control, native plant revegetation, signage and wayfinding, trail construction materials, sustainability etc.) ideologies, practices, and methodologies.

• Proficient in use of information systems technologies, such as ArcGIS, AutoCAD, word processing, spreadsheet development, virtual and in-person presentations.

Benefits & Perks

• 33 days of paid time off annually

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability coverage

• 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% employer match

• Access to outdoor industry discounts

Physical Requirements

• Work includes both desk-based tasks and occasional field work.

• May require sitting, standing, walking, bending, or riding a bicycle during site visits.

• May occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.

• Requires normal vision and communication abilities.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Who We Are

Trailblazers is a nonprofit organization based in Northwest Arkansas dedicated to building world-class trails, advancing active transportation, and fostering healthier, more connected communities. We design, build, and maintain soft-surface trails, paved paths, and bike infrastructure that help make this region one of the best places in the country to ride and live.

Our team is collaborative, mission-driven, and passionate about the impact trails have on quality of life. We work in a fast-moving environment and value people who bring initiative, organization, and ownership to their roles.

Trailblazers partners closely with the City of Bentonville to support the planning and delivery of active transportation infrastructure. This position is employed by Trailblazers and embedded within the Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department. Day-to-day work is directed by the Parks & Recreation Director in coordination with Trailblazers leadership.