Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six 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.

Our goals are to build greater tolerance for beavers on our landscape, reduce beaver conflicts, and increase awareness through outreach and education. Specifically, we aim to: 1) provide a cost-share and technical assistance program for landowners/land managers who experience beaver-related conflicts; 2) train local partners on how to assess beaver conflict and address them with appropriate mitigation strategies; 3) develop a strong working relationship with local partners as a basis for a broader, longer-term beaver conflict resolution program linked to larger scale beaver restoration goals.

To support our mission, NWF and partners are seeking to hire a Beaver Conflict Resolution Fellow to join our Western Water Team. As part of a small, high-impact team, these positions will work in partnership with local watershed groups, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Defenders of Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management and other non-profits/agencies. The term of the position will last from approximately May 2024-October 2024 and will be expected to work at least 30 hours per week. If additional funding is secured, there is a strong possibility to extend this term, expand the scope of work, and/or rehire in 2025. This 6-month position offers $20.00-$23.00 per hour plus core benefits.

Scope of Responsibilities

The Beaver Conflict Resolution Fellow position will work to develop tolerance for beaver in and promote stream restoration by beaver and low-tech methods where appropriate. This work will include community outreach and education, hosting training events for local partners, and constructing targeted demonstration projects. This work requires specialized knowledge and skills in wildlife conflict resolution, and in techniques for non-lethal beaver management, as well as in building good relationships, credibility, and trust with landowners, agricultural producers and key agency partners like MT FWP, USFS, and local government.

The Fellow will work under the guidance of the National Wildlife Federation and learn about their goals to restore, enhance and protect western rivers, streams and wetlands while accurately representing their missions in all outreach. As part of a small, high-impact team, the Beaver Conflict Resolution Fellow plays a significant role delivering on-the-ground conservation results and building an informed, engaged base of constituents who will advocate for and support the cause for healthy watersheds.

Essential Functions

• Assess the beaver nuisance problem in FWP Region 4, respectively-scale, characteristics, seasonality, current practices, etc.
• Plan and build beaver coexistence projects for non-lethal beaver nuisance management on properties which can be easily visited on tours or other outreach events.
• Organize at least two education/outreach events per Fellow for partners and agencies, focusing on assessing beaver conflicts and non-lethal methods to solve beaver nuisance problems
• Implement cost-share program for beaver conflict mitigation work.
• Submit monthly and annual status reports to partners and granting agencies.
• Submit expense reports and invoices on the first of each month.
• Maintain equipment and supplies as outlined in the work plan. Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested with a sense of humor and team spirit.
• Project commitment to and professional enthusiasm about the collaborative nature of work to protect and restore Montana watersheds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology or a related field preferred
• Minimum 1 year of experience in wildlife management or natural resource management outside of school
• Understanding of riparian/wet meadow restoration practices
• Experience working with landowners of diverse backgrounds and agricultural producers preferred
• Excellent people skills
• Well-organized and independent problem-solver
• Handy and comfortable with light construction projects
• Basic computer skills
• Position requires physical exertion, efficient navigation in remote rural areas including grizzly bear country, often spending eight or more hours in the field each day, sometimes under adverse weather conditions.

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;
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement;
• 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

Physical Requirements of the Job:

This position requires long hours in the field in variable and sometimes adverse weather conditions. Applicant must be able to lift 65 pounds, reach overhead, wade in streams carrying bulky and heavy objects, and walk over uneven terrain

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 around and demonstrate self-discipline and accountability for managing their field and home office workload efficiently.

Location and Work Mode:

This position will be based in the Great Falls/Lewistown area within the FWP Region 4. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work from home or in the office to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page:

Compensation:

This 6-month position offers $20.00-$23.00 per hour plus core benefits.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit the following documents and information:

• Cover Letter that describes your interest in this opportunity and relevant experience
• Resume or CV
• Three professional references
• Specify which location you are applying for

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.