Yellowstone National Park, WY
Job Title: Climate Change Coordinator
Organization: Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Location: Yellowstone National Park, WY
Organization Overview: Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC), named one of Outside Magazine’s Top 100 places to work two years in a row, seeks a Climate Change Coordinator to lead work with communities, Tribes, agencies, partners, and stakeholders to improve climate resilience and adaptation within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The GYE is a remarkable natural landscape home to a complete array of native wildlife, the headwaters of the West, an important place in the history of conservation, and of deep importance to Native Americans who have made this place home since time immemorial.
Position Overview: The Climate Change Coordinator plays a lead role in shaping GYC’s programs to make the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem a global model for climate adaptation and resilience. Specifically, the Climate Change Coordinator will lead and develop a cohesive portfolio of projects in partnership with Tribal, federal, state, and local agencies that strategically & collaboratively plan, develop, fund, and implement resource management projects that address the impacts of climate change on land, water, and wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Projects could include restoring native plants in riparian areas, restoring stream flows and reconnecting floodplains, increasing natural water storage in groundwater aquifers, managing forest and wetland vegetation regimes impacted by conifer encroachment, protecting and expanding native fish populations, building beaver dam analogues, restoring beaver, and protecting climate refugia through land management planning processes. The position will also support proactive, landscape-scale conservation by working with public land management agencies to develop climate adaptation plans that address the impacts of climate change on native fish, water quantity, water quality, wetlands, and forests.
In addition to project-oriented efforts, the Climate Change Coordinator will use a pragmatic, science- based approach to develop GYC’s climate-related policy agenda and advocate for Tribal, federal, state, and local policies that best manage rivers, riparian habitats, and wetlands, as well as priority wildlife habitat threatened by climate change. The position will work with GYC staff to develop that agenda and the strategic approaches necessary for securing effective policies. This work will entail building successful partnerships and working closely with agency personnel, elected representatives, landowners, conservation partners, Indigenous communities, and other influential leaders.
The Climate Change Coordinator will represent GYC with government agencies and elected officials, the media, and with the organization’s funders and supporter base. Teamwork is a core competency at GYC, making close coordination between GYC’s other offices and departments an essential duty of this position. The Climate Change Coordinator works under the supervision of the Deputy Conservation Director.
Duties:
- Lead the development and implementation of a GYE climate resilience and adaptation plan in partnership with agencies and other key stakeholders.
- Work with partners and stakeholders to prioritize, develop, fund, and implement a portfolio of resource management projects around the ecosystem that improve resiliency to climate change impacts and successful adaptation.
- Coordinate climate resilience and adaptation projects with other GYC staff throughout the GYE.
- Participate, as appropriate, in internal GYC strategic planning or other planning efforts.
- Review proposed agency actions and legislation, develop comments and support GYC campaigns in implementing strategies to achieve policy goals for climate resilience and adaptation.
- Supervise contractors in implementing on-ground projects, and/or scientific support on climate issues, as appropriate.
- Develop close working relationships with partner organizations, agency personnel, community leaders, and volunteers.
- Be a spokesperson for GYC’s climate resilience work and on climate-related issues.
- Be an active participant in achieving GYC’s development and fundraising goals.
- Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. Advanced degrees preferred. (Experience can substitute, if highly relevant)
- A minimum of 4-5 years of experience working on climate change adaptation and resilience issues in the West. 7-10 years preferred.
- Familiarity and understanding of fish and wildlife conservation issues and policies in rural western landscapes, preferably in Idaho, Wyoming, or Montana.
- Strong ability to review and synthesize best available science and other sources of knowledge and information and craft thoughtful policy positions.
- Ability to complete on-the-ground projects with landowners, agencies, and other stakeholders and volunteers.
- Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to discuss science and policy with people representing varying interests, backgrounds, and expertise, including landowners and community leaders.
- Experience with state and federal agency planning processes related to land, water, and wildlife.
- Excellent strategic/critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Experience using Microsoft Office and willingness to use shared project software/programs. GIS skills preferred.
Salary/pay: $70,000 – $77,000, DOE.
Application Deadline: February 22
How to apply: Please click here to view the full job description as well as how to apply.
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