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Conservation Scientist

Employer
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y)
Location
Canmore (Region), Alberta
Salary
$80,000 - $95,000 per year
Closing date
Jul 20, 2022

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Sector
Academic / Research, Nonprofit
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Urban Conservation
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Permanent

Organizational Profile

The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-U.S. not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect and protect wildlife habitat from Yellowstone to Yukon so people and nature can thrive. We are the only organization dedicated to securing the long-term ecological health of this entire region. We take a scientific and collaborative approach to conservation and highlight and focus on local issues that affect the region. Since 1993, Y2Y has worked with >460 partners to stitch together this landscape, including scientists, conservation groups, landowners, businesses, government agencies as well as Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Native American). Y2Y performs a unique role within conservation in the Yellowstone to Yukon region. We act as both connector and catalyst for our diverse range of partners. We strengthen local conservation efforts by bringing a landscape-scale vision as well as offering broader scientific input and other resources, thus ensuring that local actions effectively serve both community priorities and the Y2Y region. The conservation impact of Y2Y and many of our partners, relies on making and effectively conveying decisions based in strong social and biological science as well as traditional and local knowledge (where appropriate to incorporate such knowledge). This dedicated science position at Y2Y is essential for ensuring that conservation work in the region continues to be guided by the best available information.

For more information, please visit www.y2y.net.

Position Description

Y2Y is seeking an experienced professional to be our next Conservation Scientist. This individual should have a passion for communicating science, collaborations, and ensuring the practical application of science to serve conservation. The purpose of this position is to work within Y2Y and with external entities to ensure that multi-disciplinary science and knowledge are guiding where we do our work; informing how to solve vexing conservation challenges; and monitoring our progress. Most of the work this position will engage in will be at the Y2Y region level. On occasion, work may support targeted national or global connectivity policies we are seeking to impact. Work may also occasionally focus on a site-level project if there is the opportunity to incorporate the model across the Yellowstone to Yukon region. This person should enjoy creating and supporting diverse collaboratives and be able to design scientific research that is integrated to ensure there are clear pathways and users to advance conservation. Understanding how to work within an ethical space framework is also important. This person should delight in communicating science in a variety of ways from small groups, to talks and interviews, and through writing; and have demonstrated communication skills to communicate to both science and non-science audiences. We prefer the position be based at or within driving distance of the main office in Canmore. This individual will report to the Program Director and will assume oversight of Integrated Science and Conservation projects and team. This includes managing the budget, overseeing, and engaging in fundraising, and promoting a transparent and inclusive work culture. In addition, they will monitor scientific research led by place-based conservation project staff and provide advice and input.

Responsibilities

Advance scientific research and syntheses that align with the organizational mission and current strategic plan, and that guide where we do our work; inform how to solve vexing conservation challenges; and/or help us monitoring our progress. To do this will require:

• With Y2Y leadership, define priority science needs and the pathway for how the science will support conservation action.

• Lead or support collaborative initiatives (biological and social science, Indigenous and/or local knowledge) on key issues, sometimes playing a convening role.

• Develop and maintain positive connections with external scientists and institutions and encourage research in areas that that would most help advance conservation.

• Commission experts to advance syntheses or particular science and to communicate that science to support our priorities.

• Oversee Y2Y science team from staff to postdocs to interns and contractors and monitor place-based project conservation staff work on project-level science efforts.

• Work with Y2Y conservation staff to integrate key science needed to guide and communicate their work.

• Participate in external committees and advisory positions where it will assist core Y2Y work.

• Oversee and lead fundraising proposals and reports to support this priority work.

• Communicate science to key rightsholders (federal and regional governments and Indigenous governments) and stakeholders to support advances to our conservation priorities and/or promote Y2Y as a legitimate model.

• Represent Y2Y in earned media (e.g., newspaper and radio), online (e.g., social media and blogs) and through giving talks to a variety of audiences (e.g., scientists, funders, partners, etc.).

Candidate Profile

• Unabashed advocate for nature and commitment to the Y2Y vision;

• Advanced degree in related science that is pertinent to Y2Y vision;

• Demonstrated ability to distil complex science and knowledge, and use it to guide conservation action;

• Proven track-record of assembling, leading and engaging in collaborative work with diverse individuals;

• Strong capacity to translate science for non-scientists orally and in writing;

• Driven by the desire to use science and to support conservation action rather than doing primary research);

• Established ability to navigate difference and promote diversity, equity and inclusion;

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, adjusting to changing program priorities and responding to opportunities;

• Strength in working both independently and as a member of a team;

• Experience in raising funds and communicating with donors/funders and experience managing budgets with multiple sources;

• Ability and interest to travel with some regularity;

• Understanding of spatial science, interdisciplinary science, and climate science desirable;

• Helpful to have an understanding of Y2Y region and players

Terms of Employment:

• This is a Canmore-based position.

• Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $80,000-95,000 and includes Y2Y’s excellent set of benefits.

About Canmore

The Town of Canmore is located in the Alberta Rockies, 106 Kilometers west of Calgary. Called Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi in the Stoney Nakoda language, Canmore is located on Treaty 7 territory in the homelands of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) Nations of Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley; the Tsuut’ina First Nation; and the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) Nations of Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai. These lands are also within Region 3 of the Metis Nation of Alberta, and overlap with the homelands of Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people from the west. Canmore known for many beautiful things - it’s rugged summits, cross-country ski and mountain bike trails and turquoise blue lakes to name a few. The Bow River flows through Canmore, connecting the people in the community to the local wildlife corridors and trails. Canmore is home to the World Class Canmore Nordic Center, five major ski resorts, six beautiful golf courses, endless options for hiking and is minutes away from Banff National Park, Kananaskis Country and Bow Valley Provincial Parks. With a population of roughly 14,000, Canmore is the perfect place to find the balance between peaceful relaxation and exciting adventure throughout all four seasons. More information can be found at www.canmore.ca

For Additional Information & To Apply

At Y2Y we value diversity — in backgrounds and in experience, and we need people from all backgrounds to help achieve our mission of connecting and protecting habitat from Yellowstone to Yukon so people and nature can thrive. Y2Y’s team is empathetic, caring, and supportive. We are intentional about the team and culture that we are building, seeking team members that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other's growth. Y2Y is an equal opportunity employer and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and in science, conservation, and society. We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that are underrepresented and/or excluded from these sectors, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. All of our employee’s points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

To explore this opportunity further, please send your resume in confidence to careers@y2y.net. Questions about the position can be directed to jodi@y2y.net. Short, preliminary interviews may be held via conference call or Zoom. Final interviews will be held in-person in Y2Y’s Canmore office. If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application or interview process you may contact, in confidence, Robyn Barton, HR Consultant at robyn@y2y.net.

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