Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, we are seeking a Wildlife Project Coordinator to join our Wildlife Program. The Wildlife Project Coordinator reports to NWF’s Wildlife Program Manager and will be expected to represent NWF in the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership in Dillon, MT working in daily collaboration with state and federal agency partners. This is a one-year term position with the possibility of extension contingent on funding availability.

Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):

The Wildlife Project Coordinator will plan, lead, and evaluate fence mitigation and other habitat projects to benefit wildlife movement and connectivity in the High Divide region of southwest Montana and northeastern Idaho. The Coordinator will work with MT FWP, BLM, and USFWS biologists to identify priority needs for big game and other species in determining the location and scope of potential projects. Maintaining existing landowner contacts will be key, as well as building relationships with new landowners to accomplish project goals. The Coordinator will serve as a liaison between private landowners, NGOs, and government agencies to accomplishing cross-jurisdictional projects. Project planning implementation will require sound judgment, strong organizational and logistical skills, as well as a breadth of experience in wildlife biology, GIS, communications, budgeting, and education.

• Compile and analyze wildlife movement data to determine priority areas for fence mitigation projects in partnership with regional state and federal biologists.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and familiarity with fence ecology and wildlife biology concepts relevant to movement and migration as well as the multi-species benefits of landscape permeability. Be able to articulate these concepts to multiple audiences.
• Utilize ArcGIS mapping tools (ArcGIS Pro, ARGOL, Survey123, etc.) and Microsoft Word & Excel to develop project proposals, including detailed maps, project descriptions, and budgets.
• Communicate with landowners via existing NWF contacts and build new relationships.
• Negotiate clear and transparent project scopes with landowners that prioritize wildlife-friendly fence designs and cost-share.
• Build a monitoring framework for assessing impacts of fence mitigation projects using remote cameras, field surveys, etc.
• Solicit and evaluate construction estimates from fence contractors for applicable projects and demonstrate fiscal responsibility and negotiation skills.
• Submit internal contract requests following NWF procedures and processes.
• Track expenditures, including match requirements for applicable grants.
• Lead communication and outreach activities to secure volunteers for projects via social media, direct email & phone communications, and hosting informational sessions.
• Lead volunteer work parties on fence modification and removal projects with the use of hand tools in all weather conditions while maintaining safety protocols (lift a minimum of 50 lbs.).
• Assist Wildlife Program Manager with grant reporting and metrics tracking.
• Coordinate with supervisor and partners to assist with other habitat projects and incorporate multi-species conservation considerations into fencing projects when possible, including wildlife-vehicle mitigation projects.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the scientific frameworks specific to wildlife migration and anthropogenic barrier effects, such as fences and roads.
• Be familiar with wildlife-friendly fencing applications, including fence designs and considerations.
• Must be able to lead work crews in an inclusive and engaging manner with a focus on safety, education, and project goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work remotely with minimal daily supervision.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience leading wildlife or habitat-related field work and/or construction projects using hand tools (e.g. trail building, etc.).
• Current driver’s license
• Be committed to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion when planning and hosting volunteer events.
• Experience using GIS platforms (e.g. ArcGIS or QGIS)
• Experience using MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• A bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, environmental science, or closely related field and 2 years work experience.

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them.
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Travel Requirements:

This position requires travel, including overnight trips, and some evenings and weekends. Successful candidates must use their own vehicle for fieldwork (compensated at Federal travel rate per mile), work safely and independently in remote locations and demonstrate self-discipline and accountability for managing their field and home office workload efficiently.

Location and Work Mode:

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. This is a remote position located in Dillon, MT based out of our Northern Rockies Prairies & Pacific Regional Center in Missoula, MT. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

Physical Requirements of the Job:

This position requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing, driving, and hiking over rough terrain in all weather conditions. Candidates must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs of field gear.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), 10 holidays, and 3 floating holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

Application period closes November 1st, 2023, with tentative start date January 2nd, 2024. Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.