Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation 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 the National Wildlife Federation 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 in Kalispell, Bozeman, and Lewistown/Great Falls, Montana. As part of a small, high-impact team, these positions will work in partnership with local watershed groups, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Conservation Districts, Montana Department of Transportation, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and other non-profits/agencies to design, permit, and implement human-beaver conflict resolution projects.
These positions are locally-based, fulltime term, starting in April 2026 and ending in October 2026. If additional funding is secured, there is a possibility of extending this term, expanding the scope of work, and/or rehiring in 2027.
Our 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 position will work to develop tolerance for beaver in FWP Region 4 (Lewistown/Great Falls). 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 like MT FWP, USFS, and local government is vital for program success.
The Technician will work under the guidance of the National Wildlife Federation and learn about their goals to restore, enhance, and protect western rivers, streams, and wetlands while accurately representing their missions in all outreach. As part of a small, high-impact team, the Beaver Conflict Resolution Technicians play a significant role delivering on-the-ground conservation results and building an informed, engaged base of constituents who will advocate for and support the mission for healthy watersheds.
Principal Duties (major areas of responsibility):
- Assess beaver nuisance problems in FWP Region 4—scale, characteristics, seasonality, current practices, etc.
- Plan and build beaver conflict resolution projects and 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 trainings per Technician for partners and agencies, focusing on assessing beaver conflicts and non-lethal methods to solve beaver nuisance problems.
- Implement 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 needed with supervisor’s approval.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested with a sense of humor and team spirit.
- Commitment to professional enthusiasm about the collaborative nature of 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, be well-organized, be practical, independent problem-solvers.
- Excellent communication and time management skills, be able to set and adhere to deadlines, be able to manage multiple projects at a time.
- Project management experience including data organization and input, coordinating individual projects from start to finish, facilitating communication between multiple partners, and adhering to schedules and tasks needed to complete projects.
- Ability to be handy and comfortable with light construction projects.
- Basic computer skills.
- Able to use 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.
Travel Requirements:
This position requires 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:
This position will be based in Great Falls/Lewistown area within 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:
This position requires 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.
Application:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The National Wildlife Federation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law. Candidates should submit the following documents and information:
- Cover letter describing your interest in this opportunity and relevant experience, for which location you are applying.
- Resume or CV
- Three professional references
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.
