Yellowstone Program Assistant

Position is open until filled. Applications will begin being reviewed starting 10/30/25 with an anticipated start date of 12/1/25

About Ecology Project International

EPI is an international non-profit organization dedicated to addressing critical conservation issues through field-based partnerships between local experts and high school students. We engage adolescent youth from local communities and youth and teachers from around the world in applied hands-on science and conservation as they learn about and help protect threatened species and habitats. Through EPI’s programs in five countries throughout the U.S. and Latin America, participants are inspired and empowered to engage in conservation efforts at home and worldwide to become the next generation of conservation leaders. More information can be found at www.ecologyproject.org

Job summary

The Yellowstone Program Assistant plays an integral role in supporting programmatic goals, assisting Yellowstone field courses, and maintaining financial compliance. They will be primarily responsible for the logistical aspects of Yellowstone program implementation with a specific emphasis on maintaining gear and equipment systems. The program assistant also supports team members in financial compliance tasks and local student enrollments.

Key responsibilities and duties

Equipment systems: Responsible for maintaining the Yellowstone program’s (Yellowstone and Local Initiatives) logistical and material systems, including the following program-specific tasks:

• Responsible for managing the basement gear systems, including keeping gear inventories, repair schedules, repairing broken gear, regularly organizing gear storage.
• Responsible for supporting instructors in inventorying and managing their team equipment and helping to train instructors on best gear management practices.
• Responsible for maintaining, organizing, and deploying First Aid kits and Epinephrine Kits for use in the field.
• Support instructors in inventorying and managing their team equipment.
• Responsible for overall vehicle readiness, including keeping maintenance logs up to date, driving program vehicles to their regular maintenance appointments, and keeping the YEL parking area maintained.
• Support instructors in preparing vehicles pre-course and washing vehicles post-course.
• Assist Yellowstone Coordinators with food preparation, shopping, and storing for all Yellowstone field programs. Support instructors in packing course food and distributing unused food after a course.

Program Financial Assistance:
Entry-level support for transaction processing, document organization, and petty cash handling:

• Support data entry of program expenses.
• Support Operations Coordinator in the collection of vendor documents and maintenance of vendor folders.
• Support monthly reconciliation of program bank and credit card accounts.
• Track basic budget lines (field supplies, petty cash, etc.).
• Facilitate the processing of Yellowstone Course Cash Requests and Returns.

Enrollment Duties:

• Process Yellowstone Local (including BWI & PVI) program enrollment paperwork.
• Process Yellowstone Local program tuition payments.
• Support the medical review process and follow ups for all Yellowstone Local participants.
• Assist YEL Local Programs Coordinator in accomplishing other recruitment and enrollment tasks.
• Assist in the delivery of Yellowstone Local programs, as follows:
  • Help to recruit, select, and process enrollment paperwork for students.
  • Assist with pre-season instructor training in the office and in the field, as able.
  • Collaborate to ensure communication is complete between research mentors, interns, and partner organization administrators.
  • Assist with regular pre- and close-day tasks and season close days with program instructors.

Field Operations

• Responsible for instructing on an estimated 1-3 Yellowstone courses per season.
• As needed, responsible for being available for emergency or last-minute substitutions.

Required qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental science, recreational management, education, or related field.
• 2 years of experience in experiential/environmental/outdoor education non-profit organizations, or other relevant non-profit work.
• 1 years of experience managing complex logistics and field operations for field-based programming.
• 1 year of experience in customer service or other communications-oriented roles.
• Skills:
• • Knowledge of and ability to use Salesforce and Asana (preferred) or other CRMs and productivity apps (accepted).
  • Ability to use, navigate, set-up, and improve accounting systems (e.g. Bill.com)
  • Basic knowledge of auto mechanics, sufficient to speak to field instructor teams (for troubleshooting) and repair shops for maintenance and repair issues.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google products
  • Ability to multitask and move fluidly among simultaneous, complex projects
  • Excellent outward-facing verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with vendors and partners.
  • Ability to think and act in whole systems, creating global solutions by attending to many interconnected local details.
  • A punctual, detail-oriented, thorough, and independent approach to work while maintaining high level of initiative and flexibility
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and dynamic environment.
• Commitment to EPI's mission and values.
• English language fluency.

Desired qualifications and skills

• Certification in Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or willingness to obtain one.
• Intermediate/Advanced vehicle maintenance skills: troubleshooting vehicle codes and/or trailer wiring repair, checking fluid levels, maintaining tires, changing bulbs.
• Comfort and ability to use power and hand tools to maintain and repair outdoor recreation equipment, such as sewing machines, patches and glue, basic construction tools, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.
• Knowledge of, and experience in, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Competencies

The successful candidate will be highly organized. They will be able to create, maintain, and implement systems for tracking and modifying the flow of information, materials, and resources needed to make the EPI Yellowstone program a success. They will be able to effectively delegate responsibilities where appropriate and ask for help when needed.

Reports to: The Yellowstone Program Assistant reports to the Yellowstone Operations Coordinator.

Schedule & Location: The Yellowstone Program Assistant position is full-time (40 hours/week) with office hours typically from 9am to 5pm. This position requires the ability to report to our EPI office, located in Missoula, Montana.

Physical Requirements: This position involves moving equipment up to 50 lbs., navigating stairwells while carrying materials, and driving (up to) 15-passenger vehicles with utility trailers in all weather conditions. This job involves occasional (4-6 times/year) multi-day field trips to the Yellowstone NP area, extending over weekends.

Compensation

The local market-based starting salary range is between US $35,945 - $37,223 annually. Additionally, this position is eligible for a generous benefits package that includes 32 days of paid time off, health insurance, retirement plans, and funds for professional development.

EPI is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. All qualified candidates will be considered for employment regardless of these factors. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.