Description
Job description: Carnivore Coexistence Program Associate
The Carnivore Coexistence Program Associate will work to advance human-carnivore conflict prevention and coexistence in west-central Montana. In this role, the PA will work independently and with other staff to promote and cultivate the use of nonlethal human-bear conflict prevention tools by landowners, homeowners, and recreators; market P&C’s cost-share program, create and distribute educational materials; coordinate relevant events; track large carnivore policy developments (state and national); coordinate projects with agencies, community groups, landowners, and businesses (infrastructure, Bear Smart work, etc.); deliver informational and educational presentations; and work with other staff to refine and disseminate messaging in support of coexistence across the project area and Montana. The PA will stay abreast of news and developments and conservation needs relative to grizzly bears and other carnivores – consistent with P&C’s mission and strategic plan. The PA will also support P&C’s field specialists and the ED in their program work.
This position is primarily focused on bear, in particularly grizzly bear, coexistence and conservation. The Associate will also work on black bear, wolf, and mountain lion conflict prevention and coexistence.
Reports to: Executive Director
Perform: Primary tasks and areas of responsibility
Project Work (roughly 60%)
Work with landowners, agency managers, tribes, and community members/groups to assess needs in the work area and develop project opportunities
Plan and coordinate projects focused on proactive solutions to conflict risks, including:
Garbage management (residential, dump/transfer stations)
Food storage (back/front country and residential)
Carcass management (pickup, removal, composting)
Bear safety and use of bear spray
Coordinate with FWP and P&C’s SW Montana Field Specialist on any potential tool implementations (fencing, scare devices, LGDs, etc.) in the greater Helena area
Evaluate and document project progress and outcomes
Work with field staff to develop best practices and associated knowledge transfer tools/methods
Develop program and project evaluation methods and data capture and analysis
Develop and support Bear Smart Community initiatives in the work area as possible, including through consulting, working group participation, education, or other activities to advance BSCs
Stay updated on local conflict information and mortalities
Keep abreast of relevant policy initiatives and lead any P&C involvement.
Keep abreast of and review relevant research and science and related project level applications
Serve as P&C liaison and coordinator in program/project collaborations
Communications, Outreach, Education (roughly 30%)
Coordinate and/or provide relevant educational activities (materials development and dissemination, or trainings)
Develop local relationships and participate in communication opportunities/forums
Help organize and participate in educational and collaboration events, such as meetings and field workshops conducted by field staff
Participate in presentations that advance People and Carnivores’ mission and vision
Write educational content, flyers, brochures, articles, newsletter stories, and other materials/content as needed
Create resource libraries for each conflict prevention tool for P&C staff and external partners
Work with other staff to develop (ongoing) new and updated resources for Bear Smart Community work
Develop media (images and videos) to support communications
Other Program and Organizational Work (roughly 10%):
Participate in staff meetings, keeping staff colleagues up to date on project work
Assist with funding proposals and reporting as needed
Participate in program and strategic planning with other staff
Produce: Results and outputs expected of this role
Proactive advancement of project work on an ongoing basis
Project reports for workplan and grant reports as needed/requested
Frequent updates regarding project work to supervisor and collaboration with other staff
Ongoing development of partner relationships and project opportunities (new and continuing) consistent with strategic priorities and funded work
Written information about project work for newsletters, social media, website, and other communications/media
Respond in a timely fashion to requests for information by the Executive Director
Occasional public interactions in person and/or through media for educational purposes
Present: Knowledge and skills/behaviors expected for success in the position
Self-awareness to make professional choices relative to communications and behavior, including strong awareness and sense of others’ experience of the PA
Timely and punctual
High integrity and trustworthiness; keep agreements, and follow through
Demonstrate initiative and proactivity, comfortable working independently
Holds sensitive and proprietary information in confidence
Values learning and feedback and is freely willing to ask for help/information
Strong critical thinking and evaluation related to all aspects of the work
Strong organization skills and attention to detail
Professional and effective verbal communication skills, including strong presentation skills
Advanced understanding and basic competence in tailoring messages about the organization’s mission and work to a variety of audiences and with a variety of goals in mind.
Working conditions
Occasional travel; requires vehicle in good condition, with adequate insurance coverage
Includes occasional days/nights away and occasional evening/weekend assignments
Requires working from a home office
Requirements
People and Carnivores (P&C) is seeking a Carnivore Coexistence Program Associate to advance human-carnivore conflict prevention and coexistence in west-central Montana. In this role, the PA will work independently and with other staff to promote and cultivate the use of nonlethal human-bear conflict prevention tools by landowners, homeowners, and recreators; market P&C’s cost-share program, create and distribute educational materials; coordinate relevant events; track large carnivore policy developments (state and national); coordinate projects with agencies, community groups, landowners, and businesses (infrastructure, Bear Smart work, etc.); deliver informational and educational presentations; and work with other staff to refine and disseminate messaging in support of coexistence across the project area and Montana. The PA will stay abreast of news and developments and conservation needs relative to grizzly bears and other carnivores – consistent with P&C’s mission.
*** This position is primarily focused on bear, in particularly grizzly bear, coexistence and conservation. It is located in Helena, Montana. ***
Key Qualifications
Key qualifications follow here. See the job description for more detail.
2+ years’ experience in wildlife conservation, with bear-related work a significant plus
Firm knowledge of large carnivores and their conservation
Experience working in a nonprofit
Strong writing and editing skills
Strategic, evaluative, and creative thinking
A clear commitment to large carnivore/predator species conservation
A communication and interpersonal style that facilitates positive relationship building amongst diverse stakeholders
Experience working in rural and/or agricultural settings a plus.
Location in Montana and having worked in conservation a significant plus.
Job Details
The position is located in Helena, MT, and the successful candidate will work out of a home office. The position is permanent and exempt, with a one-year probationary period. The starting salary is $50,000-$55,000 with flexibility for the successful candidate having either grizzly bear conservation related experience or conservation-related experience in Helena, MT. Benefits include PTO (vacation, sick time, holidays, and winter break), a BCBS group health plan with 75% of premiums paid, a retirement plan match, a computer benefit, home office stipend, and a fully paid vision/dental plan. We aim to start the Program Associate on or before September 1, 2026.
To Apply
To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and a relevant writing sample to People and Carnivores staff at [email protected]. Relevant writing is formal/report-oriented or marketing/communications-oriented and can be on any topic, though wildlife topics are preferred. No phone calls, please. We will interview qualified candidates on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To see if the position has been filled, please go to www.peopleandcarnivores.org/employment.
