Montana Carnivore Conflict Reduction Manager

Hours:            1.0 FTE (40 hours/week);
Term:             3 years; grant-dependent possibility to extend
Salary:           $61,000 – $66,000, starting
Status:            Exempt
Location:        Remote within Montana, and ideally in central location within the region

Position Summary
Heart of the Rockies is seeking a collaborative and organized individual with experience working with rural communities to join our team as the Montana Carnivore Conflict Reduction Manager.

Heart of the Rockies, in partnership with Western Landowners Alliance, has been awarded a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support the adoption and expanded use of carnivore conflict prevention techniques by landowners and agricultural producers in Montana, Oregon, and Colorado. Additionally, Heart of the Rockies is partnering with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for administration of the America the Beautiful Challenge grant that will support similar conflict prevention work. This position will coordinate grant projects in Montana by (1) conducting community-level outreach throughout the state to inform Tribes, landowners, and agricultural producers about the projects and funding opportunities, share information about available prevention practices, and identify and document potential barriers to practice adoption; (2) engaging with community partners, federal and state agency staff, and staff from other non-governmental organizations to convene outreach events, host workshops, and facilitate dialogue across stakeholder interests to support coordinated implementation and continued innovation of conflict prevention strategies on working lands; and (3) support NRCS program delivery by documenting, tracking, and reporting partner contributions, project progress, and project success/impact.

Primary Responsibilities

Primary Tasks and Areas of Responsibility:

• Facilitate community outreach and knowledge exchange through field days, workshops, or other relevant events. (25%)
• Coordinate with state and federal resource and land management agency staff, as well as other NGO partners, to support implementation of conflict prevention practices. (25%)
• Work with partners to capture project outcomes at the individual, community, and state levels. (25%)
• Support partners in collaborative conservation delivery by offering subject matter expertise and hosting trainings. (20%)
• Participate in ranch visits with producers, NRCS field staff, and other partners to conduct resource evaluations and assessments. (5%)

Results and Outputs Expected of this Role:

• Professional semi-annual reports of project progress.
• Updated and correct project information on website.
• Well-organized community events and workshops in partnership with agency and NGO partners and development of associated outreach materials.
• Detailed and accurate input of project information into Salesforce.
• Effective, clear communication with prospective community partners and existing partners.

Qualifications
We welcome people with diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives to apply. Strong candidates will be experienced project managers who meet many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications – we encourage interested candidates to apply if they meet 75% of them.

Experience and Knowledge

• 5+ years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, in conservation, social science, and/or work directly with rural communities.
• Proven ability to successfully convey information clearly and adapt communication style based on audience.
• General knowledge of the important ecological roles of grizzly bears, wolves, and other large carnivores, and awareness of the strong emotional responses they tend to elicit.
• Experience with conducting surveys and using other social science tools.
• Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management software, such as Salesforce, or the ability to learn Salesforce.
• Motivated by values of equity and inclusion, with awareness of current and historical injustices embedded in conservation work.
• Proficiency in entering, analyzing, and presenting data in spreadsheets, presentation software, and word processing applications. Experience with Microsoft Office or Google applications preferred.
• Experience working in rural Montana and with agricultural producers preferred.
• Familiarity with NRCS practices, programs, and processes preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills to connect with various communities, including Tribal members, rural communities, agricultural producers, and individuals across both the political and socioeconomic spectrum.
• Ability to synthesize and communicate complex information to various audiences.
• Demonstrated integrity, and the ability to exercise confidentiality and sound judgment.
• Ability to think strategically, manage complex projects from start-up to completion, and adopt new approaches in response to changing circumstances.
• Attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage and organize data and other information.
• Ability to think critically about complex issues.
• Patience to work through complex issues with partners who may work at different paces.
• Ability to work within dynamic working lands communities.
• Treats others with dignity and respect.
• Ability to conduct the majority of your work remotely and at a computer.
• Ability to travel frequently (up to 50%) within Montana, occasionally to/through areas with limited/no cellular service or internet (must have or be willing to obtain a driver’s license).

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting salary is $61,000 – $66,000/year, depending on experience, and is based upon a wage analysis for the region and organizational size.
• Flexible work options including working from home, non-traditional work hours, and compressed work weeks.
• Annual paid time-off includes three weeks of vacation leave, nine holidays, two weeks of sick/wellbeing leave, and additional leave options, including the opportunity for paid sabbatical every five years and six weeks of paid and six weeks of unpaid family leave.
• Paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Retirement plan with employer matching.
• Heart of the Rockies values work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere, and supports personal resilience.