Senior Wyoming Conservation Associate
Job Location
Cody, WY
On-Site
Type of Job
Full-Time
Salary
53,000-58,000
Published By
Publisher Name
Published Date
Nov 14, 2022
About the job
Reports to: Wyoming Conservation Coordinator
Location: Cody, Wyoming
Supervises: N/A
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Last Update: September 2022
Scope of Organization
Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC), named one of Outside Magazine’s Top 100 places to work two years
in a row, seeks a Senior Conservation Associate to play a key role in major campaigns and projects to
protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The GYE is a
remarkable natural landscape: home to a complete array of native wildlife, the headwaters of the west, an
important place in the history of conservation, and of deep importance to Native Americans who have
made this place home since time immemorial.
Scope of Responsibilities
The Senior WY Conservation Associate will be based in Cody, WY (SWYCA) and will lead conservation
programs in the East Yellowstone/Absaroka Front area that advance GYC’s mission to protect the lands,
waters, and wildlife of the GYE focusing on the organization’s four priorities: conserving land and
enhancing connectivity, protecting the needs of iconic wildlife, confronting the impacts of climate change,
and protecting Indigenous conservation priorities.
The SWYCA works under the supervision of the Wyoming Conservation Coordinator. Specifically, the
SWYCA will work on programs that conserve big game, migration corridors, critical habitat, and reduce
wildlife conflicts. Major campaigns and projects focus on collaborative and voluntary efforts to conserve
wildlife habitat on private lands, improve landscape permeability for wildlife movement, reduce conflicts
with wildlife (including predators), and advocate for using science to inform public land management
policies.
Teamwork is a core competency at GYC, making close coordination between GYC’s other offices and
departments an essential duty of this position. The position represents GYC in several existing
partnerships and collaboratives at the local and regional levels. The SWYCA develops and maintain
effective working relationships with key partners including agency officials, elected representatives,
landowners, conservation organizations, Indigenous communities, and other influential leaders. Duties
include turning science into management decisions that support public lands and wildlife habitat
conservation. The SWYCA position will implement GYC policy positions on conservation issues, support
planning efforts that lead to conservation outcomes, and develop and implement on-the-ground
conservation projects with strategic partnerships. The position will represent GYC with government
agencies, elected officials, the media, and with the organization’s funders and member base.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Build partnerships and support that increase the conservation of wildlife habitat on private lands
along the Absaroka Front.
• Work closely with partners to identify and implement projects supported by voluntary, incentivebased wildlife habitat conservation programs administered by state and federal governments.
• Build strategic partnerships to implement GYC’s big game migration conservation goals in Wyoming.
• Improve collaboration among private landowners, state and federal agencies, Tribes, and local
government leaders.
• Scale up the efforts of the Absaroka Fence Initiative to complete a fence inventory and implement
fence removal and/or retrofit projects.
• Secure administrative protections of crucial habitat for species of concern, primarily ungulates and
carnivores through Travel Management Planning on the Shoshone National Forest
• Work with the GYC Wildlife team to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock.
• Lead and implement strategies that influence agency management of the Absaroka Front in support
of GYC’s mission.
• Review proposed agency actions and legislation, develop comments, and support GYC campaigns in
implementing strategies to achieve policy goals.
• Work with partner organizations or contractors as appropriate in providing legislative,
administrative, or scientific support on conservation issues.
• Be a spokesperson for GYC locally and in the media.
• Be an active participant in achieving GYC’s development and fundraising goals.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Educational and work experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field preferred., experience can substitute for degree
• Three or more years of experience working on conservation issues in the west
Practical experience:
• Demonstrated understanding of conservation issues and policies in rural western landscapes.
• Demonstrated ability to review and synthesize best available science or other sources of knowledge
and information, and craft strong conservation policy positions
• Proven ability to complete on-the-ground projects with landowners, agencies, and other partners
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to discuss science and policy with people representing varying interests,
backgrounds, and expertise, including landowners and community leaders
• Excellent strategic/critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Experience using Microsoft Office and willingness to use shared project software/programs
Work schedule and travel obligations:
• Willingness to travel, primarily in the region (valid driver’s license required)
Expectations
• Commitment to continual growth and learning
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Commitment to the mission and goals of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Compensation and Benefits
• Salary range: $53,000-58,000, DOE
• Employer paid health premiums for employees and contributions for dependents, spouses, and
domestic partners
• Employer paid long-term disability insurance
• Employees can elect to have additional premiums for vision, dental, life, and accident policies
• Generous time-off: vacation, sick, personal, paid holidays, and sabbatical
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Paid volunteer time
• Employer contribution to 401k with additional match available
Physical Working Conditions
GYC is committed to honoring and improving accommodations within our existing infrastructure.
• Business office environment with moderate noise
• Will sit or stand at a desk and move between offices. Accommodations can be made.
• Work on a computer, use a telephone, and other general office equipment
• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds. The use of a dolly, cart, etc. is available. Accommodations honored
and assistance from other staff are strongly encouraged.
• This position will be up to 15% travel, mostly by car, to our regional offices.
• GYC is currently operating under a hybrid-remote work setting due to the pandemic
Please email a letter of interest explaining how your skills and experience match the position description, as well as a resume, and names of three references to jobs@greateryellowstone.org. Please enter “SCA-Cody2022” into the subject line of the email to ensure a timely review of your materials. Applications will begin to be reviewed on December 5, 2022. Submissions are strongly encouraged before then. The position is open until filled. GYC is an equal opportunity employer. No phone calls please.