Sustainable Ranching Initiative Specialist
About The Position
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) seeks a Specialist for its Sustainable Ranching Initiative (SRI), based out of Montana. The Specialist provides technical expertise to develop, prioritize, and coordinate private-land conservation projects. The role manages and grows relationships with ranchers, rancher-led collaboratives, and agricultural communities, serving as SRI’s primary point of contact in southeastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming, and western South Dakota. The Specialist also assists with fundraising proposals, individual project management, event coordination, and communications. The position is remote-eligible, with preference for candidates located in Eastern Montana. It is a three-year limited-term position. The role includes extensive seasonal travel and field engagement across the region, with travel of up to 50% in spring, summer, and fall and 25% in winter. Relocation is not provided.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in natural resources management, environmental science, conservation policy, or a related field; a graduate degree with relevant applied experience may substitute for some years of experience.
- At least 5 years of experience in range management, biodiversity conservation, or natural resources management.
- Experience working with ranchers and agricultural communities.
- Knowledge of the Northern Great Plains, particularly Montana or Wyoming.
- Strong data management, organizational, and project management skills.
- Sound judgment and innovative problem-solving abilities.
- Demonstrated technical writing skills.
- Ability to travel throughout eastern Montana, western South Dakota, and eastern Wyoming, up to 50% during spring, summer, and fall and 25% during winter.
- Commitment to WWF’s core values of Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration.
- Ability to work self-sufficiently in remote settings with limited support and sustain an extensive seasonal travel schedule.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not available.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with Native Nations, particularly in agricultural production.
- Experience collaborating with organizations and agencies in the Northern Great Plains.
- Experience coordinating ranch assistance programs, educational events, or conservation and restoration projects.
- Experience in fundraising, grant management, or project budget management.
Responsibilities
- Implement conservation programs that restore and protect grasslands and help ranchers and local collaboratives pursue land-management goals.
- Conduct outreach with landowners and land managers in southeastern Montana, western South Dakota, and northeastern Wyoming to explain WWF programs and identify potential participants.
- Build relationships with ranches and serve as a primary organizational contact, learning about individual needs and assessing opportunities to pursue resources for ranch sustainability.
- Build and maintain relationships with local and regional ranching organizations and government agencies.
- Provide technical assistance to local collaboratives and support their fundraising, project evaluation, and partner-driven strategic planning efforts.
- Support SRI strategic planning for landscape-level grassland conservation, partner engagement, program communication, public and stakeholder education, technology transfer, metric evaluation, and reporting.
- Communicate results to local and regional audiences through public speaking, published writing, and other channels; provide technical insights to the SRI team as requested.
- Assist with fundraising, including contributing proposal content and reporting on progress.
- Perform other responsibilities as needed and assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
