Regional Career Opportunity – U.S. Program Director – The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y)

If you are a senior conservation professional with experience managing complex programs and are interested in helping to implement one of the most ambitious and hopeful conservation initiatives on the planet, we want to meet you. The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is seeking a Program Director to work on the U.S. side of the Yellowstone to Yukon Region.

Closing Date: December 5, 2014 or until filled

ABOUT THE YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON CONSERVATION INITIATIVE: The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-US not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect and protect wildlife habitat from Yellowstone to Yukon so that people and nature can thrive.

Y2Y takes a scientific approach to biodiversity protection and is upheld as a global leader in large landscape conservation. Y2Y was conceived in 1993, and has two offices: one in Canmore, Alberta and another in Missoula, Montana. Our staff is creative, knowledgeable and passionate. Visit http://www.y2y.net to learn more.

POSITION OVERVIEW: As U.S. Program Director you will report to the President and will assume responsibility for planning, implementing and managing specific conservation projects in the U.S. Yellowstone to Yukon region.

Key specific responsibilities will include:

* Provide oversight to and ensure the success of Y2Y’s existing Cabinet-Purcell Mountain Corridor Project

* Identify gaps and opportunities for Y2Y to engage in projects in the High Divide and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that are consistent with the themes in Y2Y’s Strategic Plan (protecting core habitats on public land, conserving wildlife movements across private land, mitigating the impacts of highways and railroads, restoring degraded habitats, and promoting co-existence with wildlife)

* Participate in the U.S. Connectivity Policy Coalition and jointly oversee its shared Connectivity Policy Coordinator in Washington, D.C.

* Assist in retaining and overseeing other U.S.-based programmatic staff and contractors, when appropriate

* Promote the Y2Y vision and programs to relevant audiences (e.g., conferences, communities, government agencies, partners, and funders)

* Seek out new fundraising opportunities and contribute to funder meetings, funding proposals, and reports for US-based projects and activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge and Skills:

* Minimum ten years’ experience leading conservation campaigns and managing complex projects

* Demonstrated success working with diverse coalitions and leading collaborations

* Successful experience working to influence wildlife and public land management issues in the western United States

* Demonstrated understanding of principles of conservation biology and their management imperatives

* Demonstrated experience in managing project and campaigns budgets

* Demonstrated fundraising success

* Background in environmental sciences or political science (minimum Bachelor’s degree)

Complexity and Problem solving:

* Strong analytical thinking and reasoning

* Judgment, tact and diplomacy

* Well organized, able to coordinate multiple diverse projects, set realistic deadlines, and achieve timelines

* Adaptable to changing circumstances

* Strategic thinker who can prioritize local opportunities within a continental vision

* Comfort acting independently but with management collaboration

Communications and Interpersonal Skills:

* Strong written and oral communications skills

* Ability to clearly communicate ideas, both verbally and in writing.

* Work and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, including boards of directors, staff, contractors, volunteers, stakeholders, and the public.

* Can maintain confidentiality with sensitive information

* Comfort communicating with the media

* Ability to use the power of stories to communicate and garner support for issues and ideas

Working conditions:

* Willing to travel throughout the project area, including on occasional weekends

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This position will be based within the U.S. Yellowstone to Yukon region. While Jackson, WY is a preferred location, applications are encouraged from throughout the region. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes Y2Y’s excellent set of benefits. Office arrangements are flexible (i.e., home office or other professional setting), depending on the circumstances of the successful applicant. The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative is an equal opportunity employer.

TO APPLY:

Applications should be received no later than December 5, 2014. However, we will continue to entertain queries until the position is filled. Final in-person interviews will be held in Canmore, Alberta. Preliminary interviews may be held via conference call or Skype.

(If you do respond to this opportunity, please tell them you saw it on MATR.net Thanks)

Send by email: a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and names and contact information for three professional references.

Email: [email protected]

Subject line: "Your Name" Application for U.S. Program Director

Y2Y thanks all applicants for their interest. Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.