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Beaver Conflict Resolution Technician
National Wildlife Federation
Lewistown, MT, USA
USD 22-25 / hour
Posted on Mar 16, 2025
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of NWF is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
To support our mission, NWF and partners are seeking to hire three Beaver Conflict Resolution Technicians to join our Western Water Team. As part of a small, high-impact team, these positions will report to the Beaver Conflict Resolution Team Lead, and work in partnership with local watershed groups, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Bureau of Land Management, and other non-profits/agencies. The terms of these positions will last from approximately April 2025-October 2025 and each will be expected to work 40 hours per week. Pending successful completion of work and performance evaluations, if additional funding is secured, terms could be extended, the scope of work expanded, and/or positions rehired in 2026.
The Beaver Conflict Resolution Program’s goals are to build greater tolerance for beavers on our landscape, reduce beaver conflicts, and increase awareness through outreach and education. Specifically, we aim to: 1) provide a cost-share and technical assistance program for landowners/land managers who experience beaver-related conflicts; 2) train local partners on how to assess beaver conflict and address them with appropriate mitigation strategies; 3) develop a strong working relationship with local partners as a basis for achieving watershed-scale restoration goals that foster healthy ecosystems.
Scope of Responsibilities:
The Beaver Conflict Resolution Technician positions will work to develop tolerance for beaver in Montana FWP Regions 1, 3 and 4 (one Technician per region), and promote stream restoration by beaver and low-tech methods where appropriate. This work will include community outreach and education, hosting training events for local partners, and constructing conflict mitigation projects and devices using non-lethal techniques. This work requires specialized knowledge and skills in wildlife conflict resolution and in techniques for non-lethal beaver management. Building good relationships, credibility, and trust with landowners, agricultural producers, and key agency partners (e.g., Montana FWP, U.S. Forest Service, and local governments) is vital for program success.
The Technicians will work under the guidance of the National Wildlife Federation and will be expected to learn and reflect NWF’s goals to restore, enhance, and protect western rivers, streams, and wetlands in all outreach and partner engagement. As part of a small, high-impact team, the Beaver Conflict Resolution Technicians will play a significant role in delivering on-the-ground conservation results, and building an informed, engaged base of constituents who will advocate for and support the importance of beaver conflict resolution for restoring and maintaining healthy watersheds.
Principal Duties for Each Technician (major areas of responsibility):
- Assess the scale, characteristics, seasonality, and current practices associated with beaver nuisance reporting in their respective FWP Region.
- Plan and build beaver conflict resolution devices with at least one project acting as a “showcase site” for non-lethal beaver nuisance management on properties which can be easily visited on tours or other outreach events.
- Organize at least two training courses for partners and agencies in each Technician’s Region focused on assessing beaver conflicts and non-lethal methods to solve beaver nuisance problems.
- Implement a cost-share program for beaver conflict mitigation work.
- Submit monthly and annual status reports to partners and team members.
- Submit expense reports and invoices on the first of each month.
- Purchase and maintain equipment and supplies as outlined in the work plan.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested with a sense of humor and team spirit.
- Project commitment to and professional enthusiasm about the collaborative nature of this work to protect and restore Montana watersheds.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology or a related field is preferred.
- At least 1 year of experience in wildlife management or natural resource management outside of school and possess an understanding of riparian/wet meadow restoration practices.
- Excellent people skills, well-organized, practical, independent problem-solver.
- Excellent communication and time management skills, able to set and adhere to deadlines, and manage multiple projects at a time.
- Ability to be handy and comfortable with light construction projects.
- Basic computer skills.
- Able to use their own vehicle for fieldwork (compensated at the federal travel rate per mile), and work safely and independently in remote locations, including grizzly bear country.
- Experience working with landowners of diverse backgrounds and agricultural producers is preferred.
- Position requires physical exertion, efficient navigation in remote rural areas, and often eight or more hours in the field each day, sometimes under adverse weather conditions.
NWF Values:
The Technicians’ actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Competencies should include:
- Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to create opportunities to increase equity and Environmental Justice.
- Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
- Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development, and partner engagement.
- Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members, and keeps staff informed of decisions that have impact on them.
- Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work
- Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission
Travel Requirements:
These positions require travel, including overnight trips, and some evenings and weekends. Successful candidates must use their own vehicle for fieldwork (compensated at the federal travel rate per mile), work safely and independently in remote locations, and demonstrate self-discipline and accountability for managing their field and home office workload efficiently. A valid driver’s license and a reliable, insured vehicle is required to access field sites.
Location and Work Mode:
One Technician will be based in each FWP region, with a strong preference for the following locations for each region Kalispell/Columbia Falls (FWP Region 1), Bozeman/Livingston (FWP Region 3), and Great Falls/Lewistown (FWP Region 4). The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work from home or in an office to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers
Physical Requirements of the Job:
These positions require long hours in the field in variable and sometimes adverse weather conditions. Applicants must be able to lift 65 pounds, reach overhead, wade in streams carrying bulky and heavy objects, and walk over uneven terrain.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $22.00 - $25.00, commensurate with experience. We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not exhausting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.
We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:
- Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), 10 holidays, and 3 floating holidays.
- We close for a paid summer break between June 30th to July 4th.
- Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
- Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates.
- Therapist available at no cost
- Pet insurance and discount perk program
- Annual wellbeing allowance
In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:
- Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
- Annual end of year retirement contribution
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
- Pet adoption stipend
- Student Loan management
Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.
Application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit the following documents and information:
- Cover letter describing your interest in this opportunity and relevant experience, and which location (FWP Region(s) 1, 3, and/or 4) you are applying for.
- Resume or CV
- Three professional references
We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about the National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.
Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.
If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted. This will include a driving record check.