Title:                           Conservation Content Specialist

Classification:            Full-time/Exempt

Salary:                        $60,000-$70,000 DOE plus MDF Benefits Package (Paid Time Off, 401K, Health Insurance)

Supervisor:                Chief Communications Officer

Start Date:                 June 2025

Location:                    Remote/Negotiable with Frequent Travel

Job Summary: The Mule Deer Foundation’s (MDF) and Blacktail Deer Foundation (BDF) are seeking highly qualified candidates to fill the role of Conservation Content Specialist (Specialist). This position will play a fundamental role in ensuring both organizations’ conservation message is delivered to all audiences in a way to provide better understanding to numerous audiences on what both organizations accomplish. The position will assist in efforts to ensure proper promotion of all conservation activities including habitat projects, promote successful outcomes from implementation agreement, and develop promotion materials to increase awareness of MDF & BDF conservation activities and mission delivery. The main responsibilities will include working with the conservation staff to develop and manage conservation communication efforts and ensuring the proper tone and voice that aligns with MDF’s mission delivery, communications and marketing campaigns, fundraising efforts, and MDF organizational positions.

Duties will include writing conservation pieces (articles, press releases, social posts, reports, etc.) that effectively tell the conservation story, provide editorial support to our conservation staff, and oversee editorial content for MDF conservation communications efforts. This role requires a deep passion for wildlife conservation, particularly for mule deer and black-tailed deer, and the ability to effectively communicate our mission to diverse audiences.

The Specialist will be responsible for gathering, investigating, and reporting the multitude of conservation projects and issues that MDF is engaged in. This includes, at times, reporting directly from the scene of dozens of conservation projects across the west. You will work closely with MDF’s creative team, producers, editors, and camera crews to deliver accurate and timely conservation project reports to our audience. This role requires a strong sense of curiosity, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments. The ideal candidate will have a passion for journalism, conservation, and storytelling, with the ability to identify compelling stories and present them in a clear and engaging manner.

The selected candidate will be expected to develop storylines, draft copy, conduct interviews, verify facts, and provide recorded reports for television, radio, or digital platforms. In this role, you will also be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with sources, staying informed about current events, and adhering to ethical journalism standards. Comfort in working in various weather conditions and potentially hazardous situations, depending on the nature of the project, is required.

In this pivotal role, you will join the dynamic marketing and communications team, under the guidance of our Chief Communications Officer. Your contributions will be crucial as you collaborate closely with the Chief Conservation Officer and engage with our dedicated conservation team. You’ll seamlessly bridge the two teams, ensuring alignment and synergy in our efforts. Participation in both teams’ meetings will be essential, as you drive coordination and foster collaboration. This position will have the opportunity to make a significant impact as you connect our communications strategies with vital conservation initiatives.

This position is a remote, work-from-home position and requires reliable internet access and a dedicated workspace. Location is negotiable but preference will be given to candidates who reside in the range of mule deer or black-tailed deer (western US) and near a hub airport for travel purposes.

Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with the conservation team staff to provide the best voice for the MDF and BDF on conservation issues
• Work directly with the Public Affairs and Media Manager to draft press releases and other written pieces for organizational news and highlights
• Report from the scene of MDF conservation events and projects
• Coach and assist team members on improving communication skills
• Work with conservation staff to support project communications, documentation, and promotion
• Work directly with conservation leadership on federal, state, and other federal agreements requirements (reports, articles, social promotion, etc.)
• Work directly with the social media and PR teams to ensure the conservation story is getting properly distributed
• Be a liaison to companies/consultants on the implementation of marketing/communications contracts associated with MDF’s federal, state, and private agreements
• Assist with content production to ensure accuracy and brand image
• Manage and distribute conservation communications to numerous different audiences in the appropriate format
• Conduct interviews with witnesses, experts, and officials
• Research and verify information for accuracy
• Collaborate with producers and camera crews or other media contractors as applicable
• Write scripts and prepare reports for publication
• Stay updated on current events and breaking news in the conservation space
• Maintain relationships with sources and contacts across the industry
• Ensure all reporting adheres to journalistic ethics
• Travel to various locations where project work is taking place, often on short notice
• Use social media to share updates and engage with the audience

Knowledge, Skills, Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Creative Writing, Biology, Ecology, or related field
• Published writing, videography, and photography experience – please proved samples 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong research and investigative abilities
• Ability to work under tight deadlines in less-than-optimal conditions
• Comfortable working in unpredictable environments and terrain
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation
• Strong on-camera presence and confidence
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Knowledge of media law and journalistic ethics
• 2 years’ experience in natural resource related communications, marketing, or public relations with a preference for sporting/hunting/conservation focus
• Strong storytelling skills
• Ability to work independently from a remote office location
• Ability to work in a team setting with remote employees
• Ability to manage multiple priorities that can change regularly
• Skills with MS Office 365 Suite including MS TEAMS and other networking software (Zoom, Dropbox, etc.)