Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

Be the catalyst that transforms wildlife conservation in the Pacific Northwest. As the Oregon Zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Coordinator reporting to the Conservation Manager, you’ll harness our unique platform to secure vital funding, shape influential policy, and forge powerful partnerships that directly protect endangered species. This rare opportunity puts you at the intersection of public engagement and tangible conservation impact, where your strategic vision will mobilize communities, advance participatory science, and create collaborative solutions between community partners and conservation experts. 

Join us to amplify the Oregon Zoo’s conservation legacy while pioneering innovative approaches that connect people with nature and inspire meaningful action for wildlife.

As the Wildlife Conservation Coordinator, you will

• Research, identify and support government grant management for species recovery and other conservation programs. 
• Identify and support opportunities for ESG (Environment, Sustainability and Governance) partnerships and coordinate tours and relationship-building initiatives in support of the Oregon Zoo Foundation’s conservation fundraising efforts. 
• Identify and coordinate opportunities to mobilize public action for wildlife, including outreach campaigns, participatory science and private landowner initiatives. 
• Work with agency and non-profit partners to identify shared conservation priorities in the Pacific Northwest, and coordinate with zoo and Metro departments to leverage resources to advance those priorities through ongoing programs and campaigns.
• Represent the Oregon Zoo within Pacific Northwest conservation coalitions and events. 
• Develop and deliver presentations to make a case for supporting Oregon Zoo conservation efforts and elevate Oregon Zoo’s conservation brand.
• Coordinate state and regional policy efforts in support of wildlife conservation priorities, including public-facing campaigns, advocacy, legislative and relationship-building efforts.

Attributes for success

• Versatile and persuasive communicator with strong writing, storytelling, presenting, and public engagement skills, adept at building relationships across sectors. 
• Adaptive collaborator who knows when to lead and when to leverage team support. 
• Strategic and pragmatic conservationist, balancing deep commitment with objective decision-making. 
• Skilled negotiator who remains levelheaded in complex discussions and finds common ground. 
• Charismatic and approachable, naturally inspiring enthusiasm for conservation with warmth and authenticity. 
• Proactive problem-solver who anticipates challenges and drives solutions. 
• Tech-savvy and resourceful, adept at using digital tools and data to enhance collaboration and impact.
• Knowledgeable about Oregon and Washington legislative processes and Pacific Northwest wildlife conservation issues.
• Experienced in engaging private landowners in conservation efforts, grant writing, and securing funding. 
• Expertise in designing and delivering inclusive outreach that builds relationships across sectors.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, conservation, public policy, public relations or a related field, and
• Two years of experience working in wildlife conservation within the Pacific Northwest region; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid telework

At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” However, for the first six months, this position will work onsite at the Oregon Zoo Monday through Friday to support onboarding, in-person operations, and team integration. After six months, you may transition to a hybrid schedule, with the majority of workdays spent onsite at the Zoo, as mutually agreed upon with the Conservation Manager.

Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed resume that includes the details for each employer
  1. Name of employer,
  2. Working title,
  3. Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time, 
  4. Number of employees supervised, if any; and
  5. Summary of your responsibilities.
• A cover letter (no more than 1.5 pages) addressing the following, including a brief specific example for each:
  1. How you helped secure government or corporate funding for a wildlife conservation program.
  2. Your professional experience engaging communities to advance wildlife conservation goals.
  3. Your professional experience advancing wildlife-friendly policies.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews. Interviews are tentatively scheduled as follows:
  1. First round (virtual via Teams or Zoom): Week of July 28^th 
  2. Second round (in person at the Oregon Zoo): Week of August 18^th 

Please note these dates are subject to change based on panel availability and business needs.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is Step 1 $73,257.60 to Step 7 $98,155.20. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1 $73,257.60 to the equity range Step 4 $84,760.00. 

This position is not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME. It is classified as a Program Coordinator I.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Jasmine Cárdenas 

Email:Jasmine.Cardenas@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans’ preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans’ preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
 

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

Government Jobs

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