Carnivore Conflict Prevention Specialist – High Divide, Montana

People and Carnivores (P&C) is seeking a Carnivore Conflict Specialist to work independently and with other staff to develop/design, plan, implement, and monitor human-carnivore nonlethal conflict prevention field projects (private and public lands), develop educational materials and deliver workshops/trainings. The Specialist’s desired outcomes are to facilitate survival and movement of wolves, grizzly bears and black bears, and lions, and to develop social tolerance for wild carnivores and participation in prevention activities by a variety of stakeholders.

To accomplish these goals, the Specialist will engage with landowners and community members, project partners and collaborators, tribes, agency managers, and the public; develop and disseminate information; conduct dialogue and outreach and make presentations and trainings; and engage with agency managers, scientists and community members to stay abreast of conservation needs–all consistent with P&C’s organizational mission and strategic/program plans. The Specialist will participate in fundraising activities as needed, as well as contributing to organizational communications and outreach, planning, events, media development, external meetings, and administrative tasks as needed.

Key Qualifications

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

• Experience in and knowledge of large carnivores and their conservation
• Field and tool experience – knowledge of and physical implementation proficiency with conflict prevention solutions required (fencing, scare devices, bear spray, solid waste security, etc.)
• Nonprofit experience in some form
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Strategic, evaluative, and creative thinking
• A communication and interpersonal style that facilitates positive relationship building amongst diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in rural and/or agricultural settings a plus.

Job Description: Conflict Prevention Specialist, Southwest Montana (High Divide)

General description of position

The Carnivore Conflict Specialist works independently and with other staff to develop/design, plan, implement, and monitor human-carnivore nonlethal conflict prevention field projects (private and public lands), develop educational materials and deliver trainings. The Specialist’s goals are to facilitate survival and movement of wolves, grizzly bears and black bears, and lions, and to develop social tolerance for wild carnivores and participation in prevention activities by a variety of stakeholders. To accomplish these goals, the Specialist will engage with landowners and community members, project partners and collaborators, tribes, agency managers, and the public; develop and disseminate information; conduct dialogue and outreach and make presentations and trainings; and engage with agency managers, scientists and community members to stay abreast of conservation needs– all consistent with P&C’s organizational mission and strategic/program plans. The Specialist will participate in fundraising activities as needed, as well as contributing to organizational communications and outreach, planning, events, media development, external meetings, and other administrative tasks as needed.

Reports to:  Executive Director         

Location:  Based physically in SW MT, ideally west of the Madison Valley. Missoula and Bozeman are not included in the area covered by this position.

Perform:  Primary tasks and areas of responsibility

Field Project Work (roughly 60%)

• Work with landowners, federal and state agency managers, tribes, and community members/groups to assess needs in the work area and develop project opportunities
• Coordinate with partners to implement conflict tools and practices; help Bear Smart Communities with assessment and management plan implementation
• Stay updated on local conflict information and mortalities
• Design, plan, coordinate, implement, and monitor diverse field projects focused on proactive solutions to conflict risks. Project tools/practices include but are not limited to:
• Fencing (temporary and permanent, electrified and not)
• Garbage management (residential, dump/transfer stations)
• Food storage (back/front country and residential)
• Livestock conflict deterrence (herding, LGDs, fencing, scare devices)
• Carcass management (pickup, removal, composting)
• Scare devices
• safety and use of bear spray
• Innovate solutions and develop testing opportunities as needed
• Evaluate and document project progress and outcomes
• Support other field work as needed (other staff members)

Field Communications, Outreach, Education (roughly 25%)

• Coordinate relevant educational activities (materials development and dissemination, or trainings in the field)
• Develop and support Bear Smart Community initiatives in the work area, including through consulting, working group participation, education, or other activities to advance BSCs
• Conduct individual and community outreach to assess new and ongoing needs for field work and education
• Develop local relationships and participate in communication opportunities/forums
• Participate in presentations that advance People and Carnivores’ mission and vision

Other Program and Organizational Work (roughly 15%):

• Write educational content, articles, newsletter stories, and other materials/content as needed
• Work with other staff to develop (ongoing) new and updated resources for Bear Smart Community work
• Develop media (images and videos) to support organizational/field communications
• 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
• Monitor and participate in state and local policy issues of relevance

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
• 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 staff and the Executive Director
• Occasional public interactions in person and/or through media

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

• Engages in self-reflection and is self-aware to make professional choices relative to communications and behavior, including strong awareness and a sense of others’ experience of the Specialist
• Treat others with respect and dignity
• High integrity and trustworthiness; keep agreements, and follow through
• Strong time management and meets deadlines
• Demonstrate initiative and proactivity, comfortable working alone and independently
• Values learning highly and is freely willing to ask for help/information
• Strong critical thinking and evaluation related to all aspects of the work
• Integrates feedback and ongoing development
• High levels of discretion, sensitivity, and good judgment; holds sensitive and proprietary information in confidence
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail
• High standard and competence applying the tools and practices in field settings, including electric fencing, scare devices, trail cameras, and more.
• Navigating the backcountry safely, including proficiency using bear spray
• Basic first aid applications
• Professional and effective verbal communication skills, including strong presentation skills

Working conditions

• Potentially frequent travel, including occasional days/nights away and occasional evening/weekend assignments
• Requires 4WD vehicle in good condition, with adequate insurance coverage. Pick-up is ideal.
• Requires home office and home or nearby storage
• Occasional technical and physically demanding conditions outdoors and/or using tools and light equipment
• Occasional hiking, possibly camping and backcountry work in settings with bear presence requiring judgment regarding safety and conflict prevention, possible first aid applications

Important Notes

This job description is meant as a general guide to the position and may not be inclusive of all responsibilities, expectations and conditions that arise during employment. Day-to-day responsibilities and tasks are more detailed and nuanced that can be described in a job description. The position may need to change in ways that will make the position and the organization successful in changing/new conditions or over time.

People and Carnivores is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.