Program Specialist, Plains

Overview

Overview

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Program Specialist to join its Great Plains team to support the Great Plains Wildlife Initiative (GWPI). Working closely with other WWF staff, the PO will cultivate and maintain relationships with key partners engaged in locally led efforts to restore and conserve bison, black-footed ferrets, prairie dogs, beavers, and their habitats within the U.S. portion of the Great Plains ecoregion.

These partners may include Tribal, federal, and state agencies, private landowners and managers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), elected officials, academic institutions, and private enterprises. The PO will provide technical and financial assistance to key partners as well as contribute to WWF’s and partners’ fundraising efforts toward our shared wildlife conservation goals. This position will focus primarily on bison restoration with opportunities for black-footed ferret and beaver restoration.

__________________________________________________________________________________Salary Range: $69,000 - $86,100__________________________________________________________________________________Location: This is a remote position with a preference for candidates located in western South Dakota or eastern Colorado. Candidates in eastern Montana or eastern Wyoming may also be considered.Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired willbe required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

• Supports the GPWI team in advancing the Great Plains Wildlife Initiative strategic goals to restore bison and other keystone or endangered species within the Great Plains.
• Identifies, initiates, sustains, and strengthens new and ongoing relationships with local communities, landowners, and land managers expressing interest in WWF collaboration on wildlife and habitat restoration projects.
• Engages with local partners and with agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions to implement projects in a manner that is culturally, ecologically, and economically sustainable.
• Supports partners with technical assistance, strategic guidance, implementation, monitoring, fundraising, communications, data management, and project evaluation—in collaboration with GPWI team and other WWF staff.
• Tracks progress and provides input for strategic bison and other keystone or endangered species program planning and review.
• Participates in the development of innovative solutions for meeting priority conservation goals with a variety of partners and identifies opportunities and incentives for achieving those goals.
• Develops, drafts, and reviews short- and long-term work plans, program materials, and reports.
• Prepares scopes of work, budgets, and administrative documentation for contracts, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
• Assists in drafting funding proposals and progress reports to support program sustainability.
• Represents WWF at regional and national meetings and workshops.
• Supports coordinated advocacy and lobbying for wildlife restoration locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Assists in communicating projects to diverse audiences through public presentations, public outreach, written materials, and other outreach channels.
• Manages various consultants, contractors, grantees, support staff, and/or interns as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies:

• Interpersonal Communication and Collaboration:
  Clearly communicates with colleagues and external partners, including landowners, Native nations, NGOs, and agencies. Listens carefully to different perspectives and works with others to design and implement conservation actions together.
• Partner Relationship Development: Builds and maintains strong, trust-based relationships with communities, partners, and agencies. Shows cultural awareness and responds to partner needs to support lasting, sustainable conservation outcomes.
• Innovation…