Wildlife Engagement Coordinator

State of Montana•Helena, MT

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position works primarily in an office environment but will also travel statewide, sometimes requiring overnight travel. The incumbent should feel comfortable outdoors. The coordinator will conduct site visits to evaluate wildlife education and viewing opportunities - this may require walking and hiking over rough terrain, carrying a pack, and engaging in other outdoor activities. At times, may need to participate in field activities that require work in inclement weather, hiking, riding horses, OHV, or snowmobiles. Some out of state travel will be necessary. Public outreach duties may require use of visual media projectors, cameras, video equipment, and printed materials. Must be comfortable in meetings and public settings facilitating public processes. Will conduct public meetings with diverse stakeholders. The position works under indirect supervision and must be capable of making final decisions on areas of responsibility. The Wildlife Engagement Coordinator will work statewide to increase public awareness, appreciation, and support for nongame wildlife identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in Montana’s 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). The primary goals are to help implement key conservation actions identified in the SWAP by strengthening public awareness, support, and access to resilient nongame wildlife populations. This position will report to the Nongame Wildlife Bureau Chief and is a core member of the nongame wildlife program. The coordinator will engage regional and statewide nongame wildlife biologists, area wildlife biologists, and regional wildlife managers to exchange ideas on strategies to engage the public and elevate nongame wildlife. The coordinator will collaborate closely with staff across multiple divisions, including Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks & Outdoor Recreation, and Communication & Education to develop new outreach messaging, enhance educational materials and programs, and expand wildlife viewing opportunities. The coordinator will also work with state, federal, local, community, nonprofit, and business partners to promote wildlife viewing activities aligned with agency priorities. Additional responsibilities include exploring new partnerships, visiting each region to assess needs and opportunities, and identifying information‑technology requirements to support future efforts. Collaboration is a core function of this position. The incumbent must have excellent communication skills, including the ability to listen actively and identify common goals shared across divisions. The coordinator will represent the nongame wildlife program on FWP cross-divisional working groups and engage external partners and partner groups. Wildlife Viewing The coordinator consults with wildlife and fisheries biologists to identify and support the development of new wildlife viewing areas and opportunities to increase public access. The coordinator will develop programmatic guidance for how to develop new wildlife viewing projects and facilitate the production of signage that conveys information on Species and Habitats of Greatest Conservation Need at viewing sites. They will develop and maintain a wildlife viewing webpage. Citizen Science The coordinator will work closely with fish and wildlife biologists to identify projects and species well suited for citizen‑science participation. They will also work with partners, including contractors, to design and implement citizen science projects. This may include organizing and delivering volunteer trainings that cover survey methodologies and data‑recording protocols, coordinating data entry, and producing annual reports of associated citizen‑science projects. Outreach and Education The coordinator translates outreach and education actions identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan and collaborates with Communication and Education staff to identify target audiences and develop outreach campaigns that encourage public actions that improve conservation outcomes for Species and Habitats of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN and HGCN). They will represent the agency in the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group, participating in monthly calls and attending the biennial academy. The coordinator collaborates with Communication and Education staff to integrate information on the natural history and conservation needs of SGCN into existing educational programming. The coordinator will provide technical expertise for education staff to develop new curriculum focused on nongame fish, wildlife and their habitats, and work with Parks and Outdoor Recreation to update, enhance, or add interpretive signage and exhibits that feature SGCN and HGCN. The coordinator will work with fish and wildlife biologists to ensure content is scientifically accurate. Other Duties Assist with surveys for nongame wildlife as needed. Maintain professional knowledge and participate in meetings, training, and other opportunities to improve understanding of the natural history of nongame wildlife, their habitat, and other related ecological topics. Assist the Nongame Bureau Chief with additional tasks as assigned to support FWP’s Mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, biological science, range science, education, public administration, or parks & recreation management.
1 or more years of job-related experience.
Must reside in Montana (or move to Montana) to accept this position.
Comfortable outdoors.
Comfortable in meetings and public settings facilitating public processes.
Excellent communication skills, including active listening.
Ability to identify common goals shared across divisions.

Nice To Haves

Walking and hiking over rough terrain.
Carrying a pack.
Engaging in other outdoor activities.
Riding horses, OHV, or snowmobiles.
Some out of state travel will be necessary.
Experience with visual media projectors, cameras, video equipment, and printed materials.
Conduct public meetings with diverse stakeholders.
Experience with Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Habitats of Greatest Conservation Need (HGCN).
Experience with citizen science projects.
Experience with volunteer trainings.
Experience with data recording protocols.
Experience with outreach campaigns.
Experience with the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group.
Experience developing new curriculum.
Experience updating or enhancing interpretive signage and exhibits.

Responsibilities

Conduct site visits to evaluate wildlife education and viewing opportunities.
Travel statewide, sometimes requiring overnight travel.
Participate in field activities that may require work in inclement weather, hiking, riding horses, OHV, or snowmobiles.
Use visual media projectors, cameras, video equipment, and printed materials for public outreach.
Facilitate public processes in meetings and public settings.
Conduct public meetings with diverse stakeholders.
Increase public awareness, appreciation, and support for nongame wildlife.
Strengthen public awareness, support, and access to resilient nongame wildlife populations.
Engage with biologists and managers to exchange ideas on public engagement strategies.
Collaborate with staff across multiple divisions to develop outreach messaging and educational materials.
Expand wildlife viewing opportunities.
Work with partners to promote wildlife viewing activities.
Explore new partnerships.
Visit each region to assess needs and opportunities.
Identify information-technology requirements.
Represent the nongame wildlife program on FWP cross-divisional working groups.
Engage external partners and partner groups.
Consult with biologists to identify and support new wildlife viewing areas and opportunities.
Develop programmatic guidance for new wildlife viewing projects.
Facilitate the production of signage for viewing sites.
Develop and maintain a wildlife viewing webpage.
Identify citizen-science projects and species.
Design and implement citizen science projects with partners.
Organize and deliver volunteer trainings for citizen science projects.
Coordinate data entry for citizen science projects.
Produce annual reports of citizen-science projects.
Translate outreach and education actions from the State Wildlife Action Plan.
Develop outreach campaigns with Communication and Education staff.
Represent the agency in the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group.
Integrate information on nongame wildlife natural history and conservation needs into educational programming.
Provide technical expertise for education staff to develop new curriculum.
Update, enhance, or add interpretive signage and exhibits.
Ensure content is scientifically accurate.
Assist with surveys for nongame wildlife as needed.
Maintain professional knowledge and participate in meetings and training.
Assist the Nongame Bureau Chief with additional tasks as assigned.