We're protecting and enhancing America's National Park System for present and future generations.

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is the nation’s oldest and largest national parks nonprofit advocacy organization. NPCA has an exciting opportunity for a Seasonal Yellowstone Bison and Climate Research Assistant to join our Northern Rockies Regional Office.      

Grade: K

 

Job Status: Term – 3 Months; Full-Time

 

FLSA: Non-Exempt 

 

Department: Northen Rockies Regional Office (NRRO), Regional Programs

 

Location: Montana

 

Immediate Supervisor: Yellowstone Senior Program Manager  

 

Manager’s Supervisor: Northern Rockies Regional Director

 

Incumbent / New Position: New Position

 

Salary: $31/hour

 

Primary Purpose of the Position: This is a three-month seasonal position to assist on bison and climate policy in Yellowstone National Park with the Yellowstone Field Office.

 

The scope of work includes consulting, advising, and policy analysis for Yellowstone National Park resource management. The work requires an understanding of North American Indigenous culture, Tribal governance, National Park Service Policy, Cultural Resources Law, and Environmental Law and Policy that support NPCA - NRRO objectives with Indigenous organizations, donors, scientific researchers, and Yellowstone National Park.

 

The research assistant will conduct the following activities:

 

1. Identify policy opportunities to support NPCA NRRO tribal engagement.
2. Work with Yellowstone Field Office to support climate work and engagement with Yellowstone resource staff and indigenous knowledge where applicable. 
3. Participate in and help facilitate gatherings and meetings with partner organizations focused on Indigenous engagement and representation specific to national park cultural and natural resource management.
4. Work with Yellowstone Field Office to further NRRO goals for Yellowstone Bison Management Plan and assist on development of policy alternatives for consideration through the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
5. Support youth engagement and education with NPCA, partners and Yellowstone education staff.
6. Assist Yellowstone Program Manager with donor and foundation support as needed.
7. Be a contributing member to NPCA’s Northern Rockies team and bring learning and conversation back to NPCA to support our organizational learning and growth. 

• Yellowstone Bison and Climate Research Assistant (90%) : As a full-time employee of NPCA, the research assistant will coordinate with key staff at NPCA to advance and integrate priority goals for the Yellowstone Field Office on bison, climate and youth education.
• Professional Development (10%): As recent college graduate, the research assistant will have dedicated time to explore their own professional development and build professional connections, including but not limited to thesis work. A portion of the fellow’s time will be spent learning and building connections at trainings, conferences, and field experiences arranged with NPCA and partners. NPCA also has spaces within our organization, and research assistant is invited to participate and contribute to those. 

Respect employees regardless of their position or background. Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems. Participates in administrative staff meetings, organization-wide meetings, staff committee meetings, training programs, and attends other meetings and seminars as designated by the supervisor. Assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position.  

 

Minimum Work Schedule: 32-hour work week. Flexible hours scheduled between 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Occasional weekend or evening work is required. 

 

Travel: Regional travel for meetings, events, and outreach (for example, visits to national parks to meet staff and local community, and travel for regional staff planning.) Travel is occasionally required for NPCA and partner activities, meetings or functions. 

 

Minimum Scope of Position: Interacts with Tribal Nations associated with national parks in the Northern Rockies Region. Works with external partners and NPCA internal departments. Works closely with the Northern Rockies Regional Office. 

 

• 1-2 years of relevant experience including previous experience as an NPCA Western Indigenous Fellow
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Tribal Historic Preservation, Tribal Governance, or related studies, and/or equivalent experience
• Interest in cultural and natural resource protection, the National Park Service, and the Northern Rockies Region
• Commitment to convening and working well with people of diverse backgrounds, communities, ally organizations, government agency staff or elected officials is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in presentations and writing
• Desire to apply experience to work within the Tribe, NGOs, or state/federal agencies
• Desire to work collaboratively as part of a closely-knit team of professional colleagues
• Desire to invest in the growth of NPCA’s learning, understanding, and relationships with THPO’s and Indigenous-led conservation efforts
• Commitment to NPCA’s mission, core values and NPCA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Statement of Intentions.
• Strong self-starter with the ability to work independently
• Basic computer skills – proficiency with MS Word and Outlook preferred
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings
• Ability to drive or secure transportation as needed for work related travel 

Core Values: NPCA employees have pledged to live, honor, and own the organization’s Core Values. These are: 

 

• Commitment: We are passionate about NPCA and dedicated to achieving excellence through our work and mission. We seek to improve our performance by taking opportunities for professional and personal development and encouraging reasonable risk-taking and innovation.
• Inclusion: We value diversity of thought, background, experience, and opinion. We create a culture of empowerment by welcoming and encouraging meaningful participation from all people and promoting an environment that embraces different perspectives.
• Integrity: We hold ourselves accountable to each other, our members and partners, and our mission. We evaluate the impact of our work and strive for honesty and transparency across the organization. We operate ethically in the organization's best interests.
• Respect: We collaborate in results-oriented teams based on trust and consideration for each other. We promote harmony between our work and our personal lives. We foster a healthy and positive workplace culture and work collaboratively with external partners. 

Physical Effort and Dexterity:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

 

Physical Environment: Option for remote work, but typical office cube when in an in-person office setting. 

 

Employer’s Rights:  NPCA reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the NPCA and employee and is subject to change by the NPCA as the needs of the NPCA and requirements of the job change. The above is in no way an exhaustive list of the requirements for the position.