Trail Experience Designer

Mendocino Railway; Fort Bragg (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare insurance

Job summary

Mendocino Railway's Skunk Train seeks an Experience Designer to craft an immersive forest trail along the majestic redwoods of Northern California. Lead concept development, prototype interactive mechanisms, and oversee production to create memorable experiences for families and guests.

This full-time role requires hands-on engineering, coordination with environmental monitors, and a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays in Fort Bragg and nearby areas.

Qualifications

• Sustainable materials and low‑impact construction expertise.
• Creative engineering or maker skills (woodworking, kinetic sculpture).
• Familiarity with California redwood ecosystems and local history.
• Experience with parks, nonprofits, or public art installations is a plus.
• Passion for nature-based play, environmental education, and storytelling.
• Excellent collaboration and project management skills.
• Ability to prototype and test interactive mechanisms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Team-oriented with strong communication and guest-service mindset.
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Trail Concept Development: design a multi-station trail experience with natural materials and redwood ecology.
• Interactive Station Design: create 10–20 stations using sustainable materials and low‑impact construction.
• Site Planning & Safety: assess terrain and ensure ADA accessibility where feasible.
• Production Oversight: source materials and oversee installation teams and environmental monitors.

Skills

Sustainable materials

Low-impact construction

Creative engineering

Woodworking

Kinetic sculpture

Environmental storytelling

Project management

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Flexibility (weekends/events)

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Mendocino Railway is the owner/operator of passenger and freight railroads including the California Western Railroad / Skunk Train which operates between Fort Bragg and Willits, California.

The Skunk Train is a one‑of‑a‑kind entertainment venue looking for outgoing, upbeat individuals who enjoy creating memorable experiences for our guests.We’re seeking a visionary Experience Designer to lead the creation of an interactive forest trail reimagined for the majestic redwoods of Northern California. This immersive trail will blend playful engineering, environmental storytelling, and sensory engagement to delight families, hikers, and nature lovers of all ages.

This is a full-time position working throughout the week including weekends and holidays and requires a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to)

Trail Concept Development

• Design a multi-station trail experience that integrates natural materials, kinetic play elements (e.g., wooden ball runs, pulleys, ramps), and redwood forest ecology.
• Incorporate storytelling elements that honor the redwoods, local history, and conservation efforts.

Interactive Station Design

• Create 10–20 play stations using sustainable materials and low-impact construction.
• Prototype mechanisms (e.g., zip lines, levers, water-powered tracks) that move a custom wooden ball through the trail.

Site Planning & Safety

• Conduct site assessments to identify suitable terrain, access points, and safety considerations.
• Ensure ADA accessibility where feasible and design for multi-age engagement.

Production Oversight

• Source materials and oversee fabrication of trail elements.
• Manage installation teams and coordinate with environmental monitors to minimize ecological disruption.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Strong understanding of sustainable materials and low-impact construction.
• Creative engineering or maker skills (woodworking, kinetic sculpture, etc.).
• Familiarity with California redwood ecosystems and local history.
• Experience working with parks, nonprofits, or public art installations a plus.
• Passion for nature-based play, environmental education, and community storytelling.
• Excellent collaboration and project management skills.
• Ability to prototype and test interactive mechanisms.
• Ability to use the Microsoft Suite of products.
• Team-player attitude with the ability to demonstrate and foster positive collaboration and relationship building within and outside of the business.
• Ability to mentor and coach team members to deliver exceptional service.
• Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and guest-service skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb and work in confined areas.

BENEFITS

• Healthcare insurance including medical, dental, and vision