Sustainable Ranching Initiative Program Officer, Montana - 23068

Overview

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Sustainable Ranching Initiative Program Officer, Montana.

Major Function

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading conservation organizations, seeks a Program Officer for the Sustainable Ranching Initiative, based out of Montana. The Program Officer provides technical expertise to develop, prioritize, and coordinate private-land conversation projects for Sustainable Ranching Initiative (SRI). The Program Officer will grow existing capacity building efforts with local rancher led collaboratives. The Program Officer will also support fundraising proposals and developing conservation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Implement conservation programs within the SRI designed to restore grasslands and assist ranchers and local collaboratives in pursuing their land-management goals. This includes the Ranch Systems and Viability Planning program (RSVP).
• Conduct outreach with landowners in central and eastern Montana to inform them of WWF programs and identify participants who may be a good fit for WWF's programs.
• Assist local collaboratives by providing technical assistance, support in fundraising and project evaluation efforts, and offering expertise and guidance to partner-driven strategic planning efforts.
• Act as the primary organizational contact with ranches in the region by building relationships to better understand individual needs and assessing opportunities to pursue additional resources for ranch sustainability.
• Support the SRI team and collaboratives with strategic planning at the landscape scale to identify and address conservation challenges such as declining wildlife populations, at-risk grassland habitats, drought resiliency, ranch viability and transition planning, food-chain transparency, ranch infrastructure, and public perceptions of food production.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and regional ranching partner organizations and government agencies like Winnett ACES, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, BLM, NRCS, USFWS, and others. Coordinate with individual ranches on the implementation, monitoring, and reporting for projects intended to restore grasslands and improve grassland management across Montana, including tracking progress in conjunction with the SRI and science team.
• Support the SRI team with strategic planning for landscape-level grassland conservation, partner engagement, program communication, public and stakeholder education, technology transfer, metric evaluation and reporting, and other relevant topics.
• Communicate results to local and regional audiences through a variety of channels including public speaking and published writings and provide perspective and technical insights to the SRI team as needed/requested. In coordination with the SRI team, assist in fundraising, including providing content for proposals and reporting on progress.
• Other responsibilities, as needed and assigned.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of 4 years of experience in program management, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management or range management.

• A Bachelor's degree is required in a relevant field, such as natural resources management, range management, agricultural business, or environmental science. A graduate degree in a related field may substitute for some years of experience.

• Experience working with ranchers required.

• Knowledge of Northern Great Plains, specifically Montana, is required.

• Excellent writing skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to exercise good judgement. Willingness and ability to think outside the box, be innovative, and work with ranchers and a diverse audience of stakeholders and land managers.

• Ability to work independently, as well as with a team.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills.

• Excellent communication skills, both one-on-one and in a group setting.

• Ability to take initiative.

• Must be willing to travel as necessary within the NGP region, but specifically within central and eastern Montana, which may be up to 25-50%.

• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration:

• Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.

• Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.

• Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.

• Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

Please Note:

• The person in this role must be based out of central or eastern Montana
• We are looking to fill this position as quickly as possible
• WWF pays a competitive salary and has an excellent benefits package

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Application Deadline is January 13th
• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page**,  Requisition #23068**
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.