Stewardship and Engagement Specialist

The Stewardship and Engagement Specialist is a dynamic, leadership position that leads Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance’s (GTMA) conservation stewardship programs and community engagement efforts. The position is primarily responsible for planning and implementing various conservation stewardship projects that seek to improve resource conditions as well as inspire people to care about, and conserve, this irreplaceable region of Montana. Examples of current program priorities include reducing human-bear conflicts and improving coexistence, improving wildlife habitat by removing old grazing infrastructure, or coordinating noxious weeds management.

This work is typically conducted in collaboration with other partners including both conservation organizations and agency partners (federal / Tribal / state). Through these programs and other activities, the position works to engage and mobilize our members, supporters, or other individuals or communities to advance our mission to conserve this irreplaceable region of Montana. Finally, the position works to cultivate authentic, trusting relationships with community members and organizations, especially within the Blackfeet tribal community, and to develop strong partnerships with conservation organizations, government agencies and other allies that can advance GTMA’s mission, core commitments, and current campaigns.

• Collaboratively develop and implement a local Bear Smart community / Bear Aware education program to boost Blackfeet, federal and state efforts to reduce human-bear conflicts and improve tolerance for living with bears. Work may include, but is not limited to, building partnerships, creating and facilitating a “Bear Smart-type” committee, organizing community events, leading educational workshops, identifying and addressing community resource needs, and creating or distributing educational materials.
• Work closely with GTMA staff, partner organizations and the Forest Service to develop and implement a plan to remove or modify fences or other old grazing infrastructure in the Badger-Two Medicine in order to improve wildlife habitat conditions and freedom of movement. Work may include, but is not limited to, time in the field ground truthing fence locations and conditions, prioritization planning, or coordinating the resources, contractors, or volunteers necessary to remove or modify fences or other infrastructure.
• Collaborate with conservation, agency or Blackfeet partners to plan and implement various volunteer-focused land stewardship activities, typically one-day events, such as a community clean-up, weed pull, fence removal, or trail maintenance project, that engage people in caring for the land and improves resource conditions.
• Organize community education events, such as our annual Two Medicine Voices Speaker Series, to inform and inspire more engaged support for GTMA’s conservation priorities and commitments.
• Organize interpretive / educational outings (i. hikes, skis, plant walks etc.) for community groups or the public at-large, including youth and adults, to learn about natural history, cultural perspectives, or conservation issues related to GTMA’s mission area.
• Facilitate and develop community science projects that engage our members, supporters and other people in collecting useable field data to aid conservation advocacy and management decisions. Our current project focuses on collecting wildlife movement data in the US-2 transportation corridor along the southern border of Glacier National Park.
• Ensure proper risk management and best practices protocols are in place and implemented for all field work, volunteer activities, and recreational outings.
• Maintain accurate records and complete reporting requirements for any external entities that may require it (i.e. Forest Service, grant funders, project partners).
• Perform regular program evaluations to ensure they are achieving desired results in an effective and efficient manner.
• Supervise field technicians or summer interns to support these program activities, if applicable.

• Collaborate…