Conservation Program Director

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) was founded in 1983 on a simple premise: An ecosystem will remain healthy and wild only if it is kept whole.

Since that time, we have emerged as a nationally known advocate for the idea that ecosystem level sustainability and science should guide the management of the region's public and private lands.

Position Overview:

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, the largest regionally-based conservation organization in the Northern Rockies, seeks a Conservation Program Director.  This is a senior position within the organization, based in Bozeman, Montana, and works closely with the Executive Director, staff and coalition partners in a team approach to strategize, conceptualize and implement conservation campaigns and set programmatic priorities for GYC's issues. 

S/he will be part of a team of conservation professionals whose work focuses on protecting the lands, waters and wildlife in the 20-million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem on both public and private lands, and to build conservation leadership within the communities of the region.  GYC is a motivated group that is committed to doing cutting edge conservation work.  Many of the precedent-setting policy issues around national park and public and private land management emerge from the Greater Yellowstone region.

Scope of Responsibilities:

The Conservation Program Director is an energetic leader driving GYC's conservation programs across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which includes parts of 3 states - Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.  S/he synthesizes information in science, politics and public opinion to guide high profile conservation programs to protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and to work with a wide range of agencies, groups and the general public. 

This position provides strategic, supportive leadership to an experienced staff by establishing a cohesive, positive team approach and leading by example. The Director will facilitate coordinated learning and problem-solving among the GYC staff and board.  S/he has six direct reports from senior staff and indirectly oversees the work of approximately 10 - 12 program staff and several interns.

The Conservation Program Director also serves on the management team, which guides the overall activities of the organization.  Coordinating the work of the program staff, s/he also ensures an effective relationship between the program staff and the development department.

Responsibilities:

• Work with a decentralized program staff who are based across a vast rural area and with a board of directors drawn from a national membership of citizens who care about Greater Yellowstone.
• Design and operate programs using professionals and volunteers. 
• Engage leaders of other groups who also work in the region on common concerns and issues.
• Lead the public face of GYC in the region and communicate GYC goals, needs, strategies, and plans to a diverse audience of GYC staff and board members, affiliated groups, volunteers, agency officials, and the media. 
• Think strategically and work with staff to facilitate a learning dialogue among residents of the region who are working together to protect the ecosystem.  This dialogue must be on-going, energetic, science-driven, culturally sensitive, and open to flexible and pragmatic solutions that help communities deal with the complex issues that are crucial to the long-term survival of this rural, wild heart of America.
• Manage departmental expenses.

Qualifications:

• Proven ability to perform the essential duties listed above
• Ability to synthesize complex issues into an integrated and cohesive program
• Proven experience and success in planning and implementing strategies aimed at bringing about public policy change
• Strong communications skills and an enjoyment of interacting with diverse populations
• Assertive, yet diplomatic and tactful
• Experience in public speaking and communications work, including the ability to work well with the media and to articulate organizational positions and concerns
• Experience using a variety of tools including advocacy, coalition building, grassroots activism and litigation
• Experience organizing and mobilizing public support
• Ability to work successfully at the grassroots, regional and national levels with a willingness to engage and thrive in conflict
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with development staff in representing GYC in various fundraising activities.
• Familiarity with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and issues in the West desired
• Commitment to GYC's mission and goals.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Business office environment with moderate noise
• Travel by car and plane both within the GYE and the U.S.

Compensation: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.  GYC offers excellent benefits including health insurance, generous vacation/sick leave and a retirement plan.

Application Deadline: October 31, 2010.

To Apply:

Please email a letter of interest explaining how your experience and skills match this position, your resume, 2 recent writing samples, and contact and relationship information for 3 professional references.  Be sure to enter "Conservation Program Director" in the subject line in order for your information to be received correctly.  Please no phone calls at this time.

GYC is an equal opportunity employer.

We encourage you to forward the announcement of this job opening to others who may be interested.