The Carnivore Coexistence Program Associate will work to advance human-carnivore conflict prevention and coexistence in west-central Montana. In this role, the PA will work independently and with other staff to promote and cultivate the use of nonlethal human-bear conflict prevention tools by landowners, homeowners, and recreators; market P&C’s cost-share program, create and distribute educational materials; coordinate relevant events; track large carnivore policy developments (state and national); coordinate projects with agencies, community groups, landowners, and businesses (infrastructure, Bear Smart work, etc.); deliver informational and educational presentations; and work with other staff to refine and disseminate messaging in support of coexistence across the project area and Montana. The PA will stay abreast of news and developments and conservation needs relative to grizzly bears and other carnivores – consistent with P&C’s mission and strategic plan. The PA will also support P&C’s field specialists and the ED in their program work.

This position is primarily focused on bear, in particularly grizzly bear, coexistence and conservation. The Associate will also work on black bear, wolf, and mountain lion conflict prevention and coexistence.

Reports to:  Executive Director                

Perform:  Primary tasks and areas of responsibility

Project Work (roughly 60%)

• Work with landowners, agency managers, tribes, and community members/groups to assess needs in the work area and develop project opportunities
• Plan and coordinate projects focused on proactive solutions to conflict risks, including:
• Garbage management (residential, dump/transfer stations)
• Food storage (back/front country and residential)
• Carcass management (pickup, removal, composting)
• Bear safety and use of bear spray
• Coordinate with FWP and P&C’s SW Montana Field Specialist on any potential tool implementations (fencing, scare devices, LGDs, etc.) in the greater Helena area
• Evaluate and document project progress and outcomes
• Work with field staff to develop best practices and associated knowledge transfer tools/methods
• Develop program and project evaluation methods and data capture and analysis
• Develop and support Bear Smart Community initiatives in the work area as possible, including through consulting, working group participation, education, or other activities to advance BSCs
• Stay updated on local conflict information and mortalities
• Keep abreast of relevant policy initiatives and lead any P&C involvement.
• Keep abreast of and review relevant research and science and related project level applications
• Serve as P&C liaison and coordinator in program/project collaborations

Communications, Outreach, Education (roughly 30%)

• Coordinate and/or provide relevant educational activities (materials development and dissemination, or trainings)
• Develop local relationships and participate in communication opportunities/forums

• Help organize and participate in educational and collaboration events, such as meetings and field workshops conducted by field staff
• Participate in presentations that advance People and Carnivores’ mission and vision
• Write educational content, flyers, brochures, articles, newsletter stories, and other materials/content as needed
• Create resource libraries for each conflict prevention tool for P&C staff and external partners
• Work with other staff to develop (ongoing) new and updated resources for Bear Smart Community work
• Develop media (images and videos) to support communications

Other Program and Organizational Work (roughly 10%):

• Participate in staff meetings, keeping staff colleagues up to date on project work
• Assist with funding proposals and reporting as needed
• Participate in program and strategic planning with other staff

Produce:  Results and outputs expected of this role

• Proactive advancement of project work on an ongoing basis
• Project reports for workplan and grant reports as needed/requested
• Frequent updates regarding project work to supervisor and collaboration with other staff
• Ongoing development of partner relationships and project opportunities (new and continuing) consistent with strategic priorities and funded work
• Written information about project work for newsletters, social media, website, and other communications/media
• Respond in a timely fashion to requests for information by the Executive Director
• Occasional public interactions in person and/or through media for educational purposes

Present:  Knowledge and skills/behaviors expected for success in the position

• Self-awareness to make professional choices relative to communications and behavior, including strong awareness and sense of others’ experience of the PA
• Timely and punctual
• High integrity and trustworthiness; keep agreements, and follow through
• Demonstrate initiative and proactivity, comfortable working independently
• Holds sensitive and proprietary information in confidence
• Values learning and feedback and is freely willing to ask for help/information
• Strong critical thinking and evaluation related to all aspects of the work
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail
• Professional and effective verbal communication skills, including strong presentation skills
• Advanced understanding and basic competence in tailoring messages about the organization’s mission and work to a variety of audiences and with a variety of goals in mind.

Working conditions

• Occasional travel; requires vehicle in good condition, with adequate insurance coverage
• Includes occasional days/nights away and occasional evening/weekend assignments
• Requires working from a home office

People and Carnivores (P&C) is seeking a Carnivore Coexistence Program Associate to advance human-carnivore conflict prevention and coexistence in west-central Montana. In this role, the PA will work independently and with other staff to promote and cultivate the use of nonlethal human-bear conflict prevention tools by landowners, homeowners, and recreators; market P&C’s cost-share program, create and distribute educational materials; coordinate relevant events; track large carnivore policy developments (state and national); coordinate projects with agencies, community groups, landowners, and businesses (infrastructure, Bear Smart work, etc.); deliver informational and educational presentations; and work with other staff to refine and disseminate messaging in support of coexistence across the project area and Montana. The PA will stay abreast of news and developments and conservation needs relative to grizzly bears and other carnivores – consistent with P&C’s mission and strategic plan. The PA will also support P&C’s field specialists and the ED in their program work.

*** This position is primarily focused on bear, in particularly grizzly bear, coexistence and conservation. It is located in Helena, Montana. ***

Key Qualifications

Key qualifications follow here. See the job description for more detail.

• Minimum two years’ experience in wildlife conservation
• Firm knowledge of large carnivores and their conservation
• Nonprofit experience
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Strategic, evaluative, and creative thinking
• A clear commitment to large carnivore/predator species conservation
• A communication and interpersonal style that facilitates positive relationship building amongst diverse stakeholders
• Experience working in rural and/or agricultural settings a plus.
• Must be productive working independently in a home office.

Job Details

The position is located in Helena, MT, and the successful candidate must work out of a home office. The position is permanent and exempt, and will have a one-year probationary period. The starting salary is $50,000-$54,000 plus signing bonus. The job can be 0.80 FTE (at proportional salary) or full-time. Benefits include generous PTO (vacation, sick time, holidays, and winter break), a BCBS group health plan with 75% of premiums paid, a retirement plan match, a computer benefit, home office stipend, and a fully paid vision/dental plan. We aim to start the Program Associate on or before September 1, 2026.