The Wildlife Restoration Foundation (WRF) “I Am Bear Safe” (IABS) Project Coordinator for Yellowstone-Tetons Country is open to qualified individuals passionate about bears and based in/near the five countries that neighbor the east and west sides of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in Wyoming and Idaho. The position is initially unpaid, but stipends are available to cover pre-approved expenses and to reward accomplishments after a productive first month. The Yellowstone-Tetons Country IABS Project Coordinator will rapidly gain valuable professional experience and connections by playing an exciting, integral leadership role on the WRF team. Work to build WRF’s bear conservation capacity and impact on Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park bears as you contribute and strengthen your conservation knowledge and skills. Gain recognition for your efforts among area partners, on the WRF website and elsewhere, as you participate visibly in meeting WRF’s mission, which is to increase park wildlife population viability both ex situ and in situ, working closely with National Parks and Forests, state wildlife and tourism agencies, Tribes, zoo partners, and park gateway communities.WRF operates effectively and efficiently and generates resources that enable measurable, boots-on-the-ground conservation results. Under the direction and guidance of the WRF President and Beary Program Director, the WRF IABS Project Coordinator for Yellowstone-Tetons Country (YTC) will focus on IABS Project implementation in towns like Dubois and Lander, Wyoming and Driggs, Victor and Island Park, Idaho that are park gateway communities frequented by bears. The YTC IABS Project Coordinator will collaborate with the WRF President, Beary Program Director, other IABS Project Coordinators, Director of Communications, and other team members, as well as partnering parks, state agencies, chambers of commerce, tourism entities, and possibly Tribal and zoo partners in connection to the “I Am Bear Safe” Project. [https://www.wildlifeandparks.org/projects].

“I Am Bear Safe”™ (IABS) is a multi-partner WRF Collaborating with Wildlife Strategy designed to equip National Park gateway community chambers of commerce and their member businesses (“Park Gateway Partners”), to “train people not to train bears” to get in the trouble they are in now because of human behavior—a situation that is assuring bear demise. Bears are a top attraction at many National Parks and are well-managed within the parks to avoid human interaction. But communities at the park’s edge are not often sufficiently prepared or equipped for the increasing pressure of more visitors coupled with rapid development, naïve new residents, and a growing number of recreationists in bear country. Park Gateway Partner (PGP) businesses are the perfect intervention point and receive marketing benefits from participating in the IABS town-based bear stewardship effort. WRF provides customized tools (signage and SWAG) that equip PGPs to effectively intercept park visitors and recreationists and equip them to be bear stewards who act responsibly by securing attractants and following park and Tribal rules for recreating in bear habitat. The IABS goal is that bears perform their natural behaviors and survive without risk and distraction caused by humans while supporting the economic benefits to park gateway towns from responsible tourism and recreation.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the IABS Project on the ground in the small towns that are gateways to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and neighboring National Forests on the northwest side of the park.
• Develop, implement, and regularly assess and re-strategize with the team on a plan of action that assures the maximum participation by IABS Park Gateway Partner businesses.
• Maximize WRF’s opportunities as a member of the town chambers of commerce.
• Work with the Beary Program Director to manage the IABS Toolkit (signage) inventory of items needed by and distributed to PGPs in each town.
• Distribute IABS Toolkt materials to PGPs and redistribution points.
• Recruit new PGPs, setting goals for the season.
• Field questions and relay PGP concerns to WRF.
• Attend meetings of the chamber of commerce or local partner organization and events on occasion.
• Keep the IABS Project Management Database up to date for Yellowstone-Teton Country towns
• Use creative ways to stimulate Bear Quiz-takers.
• Come up with novel ideas to make the IABS Project more effective.
• Possibly coordinate one or more IABS Bear Conservation Specialists/volunteer PGP recruiters.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject is required; graduate degree ideal.
• Knowledge and experience specific to grizzly and black bears required.
• Location in Montana, Wyoming or Idaho preferred.
• Background working with federal and state agencies and chambers helpful.
• Experience working with community-based organizations and/or local businesses required.
• Outgoing nature and proven to be self-motivated and organized.

The YCT IABS Project Coordinator will be asked to participate in an initial (virtual) training then designate 16 hours a week to WRF and agree to work with WRF for 4 months. The IABS Project Coordinator for YCT must be a self-starter, productive, ambitious, highly organized and efficient, creative, and dedicated to WRF’s mission. S/he must also exhibit a high degree of professionalism, responsiveness, accountability, and ability to follow direction and manage time well. S/he should be friendly and approachable, well-spoken, bold, and personable.  The Project Coordinator position is unpaid for the first month; once proven, a stipend is available to support ongoing IABS Project coordination in Teton Country and cover pre-approved expenses.

The IABS Project Coordinator for YCT will report to the Beary Program Director and WRF President. Hours are flexible within the week, with the exception that PGP recruitment, Tools deliveries and communications best occur during Monday-Friday business hours. Participation in biweekly IABS team meetings and occasional full WRF team meetings by Zoom are required.

Thank you for your dedication to bears and excitement about being part of the Wildlife Restoration Foundation team in the Yellowstone and Tetons region!