Job Type: Temporary
Salary Details: $22.00 per hour
Deadline: May 15, 2023
Reports to: Senior Coordinator, Wildlife-Recreation Coexistence.
Location: Middle Fork Campground in North Bend, WA with some remote work.
Employment Type: Part-time, non-exempt. Up to 20 hours per week, mainly weekends from early June to early September.
Benefits: Mileage reimbursement and a gear stipend. This position does not have leave, holiday, insurance, or other benefits offered at this time.
Physical Requirements: This job requires the ability to work, travel to, and walk through areas within the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley. These areas will expose the selected individual to uneven slopes, surfaces, grades and terrain in varying weather conditions, with or without accommodations.

Position Summary: We are looking for a skilled educator, volunteer coordinator and wildlife advocate to join us in advancing wildlife and recreation coexistence in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River area. The Wildlife-Recreation Specialist will primarily work weekends alongside volunteers, disseminating responsible recreation tips, wildlife knowledge, and collecting visitor data at trailheads and parking lots. This is an opportunity to combine public speaking and community engagement skills on behalf of conservation work, with significant professional growth and community leadership potential.

Conservation Northwest aims to support sustainable outdoor recreation and wildlife awareness through the Wildlife Ambassador Project. We also seek to reduce impacts on wildlife and habitat in light of unprecedented increases in outdoor recreation participation. This position will work to accomplish the goals of Conservation Northwest’s Wildlife-Recreation Coexistence Program, which aims to better outdoor recreation and wildlife dynamics through education, outreach, science and policy.

Core Work Duties: 

  • Work alongside CNW staff to implement the Wildlife Ambassador Project in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River area
  • Engage and educate campers, hikers, bikers and other recreationists with ways to recreate with wildlife in mind in the Middle Fork Campground and on nearby trails
  • Conduct on-site learning opportunities concerning wildlife-human coexistence—particularly around bear, elk, cougar, mule deer, mountain goat, and other species found in the Middle Fork area
  • Create a welcoming and positive environment for campground and trail visitors
  • Coordinate volunteer operations each week and implement in-person and virtual volunteer training

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Demonstrated public speaking, coordination and organization skills. Ability to verbalize clear, compelling information to the public about sustainable recreation—its relevance and its core principles. Interest in campaign planning and advocacy are encouraged. A background in environmental education is very welcome.
  • Organized self-starter with an ability to take initiative in their work, quickly familiarize oneself with complex topics related to outdoor recreation access and natural resource protection, and complete multiple tasks with a degree of independence.
  • Experience in a campaign effort or non-profit setting is preferred. Applicable experience in marketing, sales, hospitality or other comparable roles may be considered.
  • Must be able to cultivate working relationships with diverse urban or rural stakeholders relating to wildlife and wildlands conservation and outdoor recreation issues
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required. Relevant education or equivalent experience in conservation, environmental science, natural resources, communications or public affairs issues is preferred.
  • Passion for keeping the Northwest wild. Interest in equitable solutions to conservation issues and promoting accessible outdoor recreation opportunities to diverse groups.

Who we are: Conservation Northwest’s mission is to protect, connect and restore wildlands and wildlife from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies. We have a 30+ year track record of success protecting and connecting wildlands and recovering our region’s iconic wildlife including wolves, wolverines, fishers, lynx, and grizzly bears. We believe for long-term progress, conservation must go hand-in-hand with healthy, prosperous and equitable communities. We have 26 staff and an annual budget of $4M. 

HOW TO APPLY
Please send a resume and brief cover letter to kurt@conservationnw.org . Final candidates will be asked to provide references. This position is open until filled, with priority given to applications received before May 15, 2023.