Senior Wildlife Conservation Associate

Senior Wildlife Conservation Associate
Reports to: Wildlife Conservation Coordinator
Location: Any of GYC WY Field Offices, Cody or Jackson preferred
Supervises: N/A
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Last Update: April 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 Wildlife 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 Wildlife Conservation Associate (SWCA) will lead GYC’s wildlife programs working to
conserve iconic wildlife and their habitat within the Wyoming portion of the Greater Yellowstone
Ecosystem. Specifically, the SWCA will work on programs aimed at conservation of Yellowstone’s grizzly
bears, wildlife migration and movement, and other key species. Major campaigns and projects focus on
improving wildlife passage over highways, reducing wildlife conflicts with private land uses, and
advocating for science-driven wildlife management policies. The SWCA works under the supervision of
the Wildlife Conservation Coordinator. Working with the Wildlife Program team and others, the SWCA
will help develop and execute GYC programs, campaigns, and projects in Wyoming that achieve GYC’s
wildlife conservation goals for enhancing landscape connectivity, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and
protecting migration corridors. The SWCA will use a balanced, science-based approach to advocate for
federal, state, and local policies that best conserve wildlife and their habitat. The SWCA will work in
collaboratives with partner organizations, landowners and agencies to build on-ground projects and
policy support for issues. The SWCA will develop and maintain working relationships with key partners
including agency officials, elected representatives, landowners, conservation organizations, indigenous
communities, and other influential leaders. The SWCA will be a critical member of Greater Yellowstone
Coalition’s conservation team.
Duties will include scientific review of agency policies and regulations, policy research and development,
developing GYC policy positions on conservation issues, implementing on-the-ground conservation
projects with agencies and partners, and building successful strategic partnerships. The WCA will
represent GYC with government agencies and elected officials, the media and with the organization’s
funders and member base. Teamwork is a core competency at GYC, making close coordination between
GYC’s other offices and departments an essential duty of this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Build strategic partnerships with agencies and organizations to implement GYC’s wildlife campaigns
in Wyoming with a focus on conserving wildlife migrations and reducing human-wildlife conflict
through strategic on-ground projects and policies.
• Work with the GYC Wildlife team to develop and implement strategies to improve safe wildlife
passage across roads at priority locations, conserve wildlife migrations, and improve landscape
permeability for other wildlife movements. This work will involve building partnerships with
agencies, securing funding from private, state and federal grants and facilitating project planning.
• Work with the GYC Wildlife team to develop and implement strategies to reduce conflicts between
wildlife and livestock. This work will involve building strategic partnerships with agencies,
organizations, and landowners, identifying, and prioritizing on-ground projects, and working with
partners to secure state and federal policies and funding that support conflict reduction measures and
habitat stewardship.
• Lead and implement strategies that influence agency management of GYC’s priority wildlife species in
Wyoming, specifically carnivores, ungulates, and other threatened species.
• 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 wildlife issues.
• Develop close working relationships with partner organizations, agency personnel and community
leaders.
• Be a spokesperson for GYC’s wildlife programs and perspectives.
• 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 wildlife conservation issues in the west
Practical experience:
• Demonstrated understanding of wildlife 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 wildlife 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: $50,000-57,000, DOE
• Employer paid health premiums for employees and contributions for dependents, spouses, and
domestic partners
• Employees can elect to have additional premiums for vision, dental, life, and long-term disability
• Generous time-off: vacation, sick, personal, paid holidays, and sabbatical
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Employer contribution to profit sharing retirement plan
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