Wildlife Connectivity Specialist

 Description:

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Wildlife Connectivity Specialist to join our Wildlife Connectivity Team. The Specialist will lead NWF’s Fencing for Wildlife Initiative in Montana and will provide support to NWF’s Wildlife Connectivity Manager to advance all aspects of the Wildlife Connectivity Program, including program implementation and monitoring, cultivating and maintaining partnerships, communications, and fundraising, while collaborating across NWF programs to achieve greater benefits for wildlife in the West. The Specialist reports to NWF’s Wildlife Connectivity Manager and will be expected to represent NWF in the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership in Dillon, MT working in daily collaboration with private landowners, state and federal agencies, and NGO partners. The Specialist will also help expand the Fencing for Wildlife Initiative to new geographies by developing partnerships and executing projects in landscapes beyond the program’s current extent of work. This is a full-time position based in Dillon, MT.

Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):

• Lead NWF’s Fencing for Wildlife Initiative in Montana by planning, coordinating, and monitoring wildlife-friendlier fencing projects on public and private lands across multiple counties.
• Represent NWF as the wildlife connectivity lead on the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership to advance landscape-scale habitat restoration and wildlife conservation goals.
• Work with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and other government agencies to implement conservation practices to benefit wildlife migration and connectivity.

• Compile and analyze wildlife movement data to identify priority areas for fence mitigation projects.

• Lead and manage seasonal wildlife technician(s) to implement fencing projects and monitoring.
• Lead volunteer groups to complete fence removals/modification projects, often in remote areas.
• Lead regional communications for NWF’s Fencing for Wildlife Initiative, including public presentations, landowner outreach, media inquiries, and impact reports.
• Track program budgets, metrics and accomplishments.
• Lead contracting and landowner cost share agreements in close coordination with NWF Operations staff.
• Assist Wildlife Connectivity Manager with grant writing and reporting.
• Provide technical assistance to NWF affiliates in the West to help them achieve their habitat restoration and stewardship goals.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent and at least 5 years of professional experience in wildlife biology, ecology, conservation science, habitat restoration, natural resources, or environmental sciences, with a strong understanding of terrestrial wildlife migration and connectivity.
• Demonstrated experience leading on-the-ground habitat restoration projects or wildlife research.
• At least one year of supervisory experience.

• Collaborative mindset and experience working with interdisciplinary teams, including NGOs, government agencies, and private landowners.
• Must be exceptionally detail-oriented and self-motivated, with demonstrated experience managing multiple projects/deadlines simultaneously.

• Creative problem solver with a solutions mindset capable of maintaining a commitment to big-picture goals while implementing habitat restoration projects within site-specific constraints.
• Familiarity with wildlife-friendly fencing applications, including fence designs and considerations.
• Must be able to lead work crews in an inclusive and engaging manner with a focus on safety, education, and project goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work remotely with minimal daily supervision.
• Demonstrated experience grant writing and tracking metrics & accomplishments.
• Current driver’s license
• Be committed to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion when planning and hosting volunteer events.
• Proficiency with Esri GIS software (e.g. ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, ArcGIS Online)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Google Drive, Dropbox.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in wildlife biology or related field.
• Research experience manipulating GPS collar data and habitat and/or movement modeling.
• Experience deploying camera traps in a research study design.
• Familiarity with livestock grazing management/rangeland ecology.
• Proficiency with Airtable or similar project management software.

Travel Requirements: 

This position requires frequent vehicle travel during work hours within 1-2 hours of Dillon, MT depending on scheduled meetings with landowners. Candidates are required to have their own vehicle for daily work trips and will be reimbursed for mileage at federal travel rates. The candidate will be provided a work rental truck for the summer field season. The position may travel on overnight trips 2-3 times per year. Some evening and weekend work is required, particularly during summer field seasons.

Location and Work Mode: 

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. This is a remote position located in Dillon, MT based out of our Northern Rockies Prairies & Pacific Regional Center in Missoula, MT. The employee may work from home in Dillon and/or in the shared Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership office in Dillon. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

Physical Requirements of the Job:

This position requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing, driving, and hiking over rough terrain in all weather conditions. Must be able to walk two miles, stand for up to five hours, and sit for up to eight hours daily. Candidates must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs, reach overhead, and walk over uneven terrain.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this Specialist position is $62,000 - $68,000 annually, depending on experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling.  We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting.  We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health: 

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), 10 holidays, and 3 floating holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. NWF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

We recognize that people come with a wealth of knowledge and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid work, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at careers@nwf.org  or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.