NATIONAL CONSERVATION TRANSLOCATION NETWORK SPECIALIST

Take the next step in your career by joining the team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and grow your experience in Conservation Research at a globally recognized conservation organization!  The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a full-time permanent National Conservation Translocation Network Specialist to join our team.  The successful candidate will be responsible for connecting with existing and new Conservation Translocation (CT) collaborators across Canada and increasing the Wilder Institute’s profile and involvement in conservation work nation-wide.  Working with the Senior Managers and Director of the Wilder Institute’s Conservation & Science team, the successful candidate will establish a collaborative network of Conservation Translocation academics, NGOs, community-based organizations, and government agencies to escalate our potential for scientific and/or resource-collaborations.  You will work closely with the Wilder Institute’s team of conservation ecologists and staff specialists to identify opportunities and resources to expand current CT programs and launch new programs nationwide.    

In addition to this, you will work closely with our Animal Care and Horticulture teams to further strengthen partnerships with zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, and other conservation efforts across Canada and provide scientific guidance and advice to current and prospective collaborative conservation breeding and rearing initiatives.   

You can find more information on the Wilder Institute site.  Candidates with strong relevant networks, especially in Eastern Canada, are encouraged to apply. 

Our Mission |?Take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places 

Our Values |?Effective collaboration and communication, honesty and integrity, customer focus, safety, and conservation 

What you will do: 

• Build and manage a network across Canada of organizations engaged or interested in Conservation Translocation (CT) work 
• Research and continue to build relationships with Canadian academic institutions who are pursuing CT research initiatives 
• Categorize elements of success in conservation and science partnerships 
• Facilitate new collaborations and/or advising of other national conservation organizations and researchers with our CT population ecologists 
• Once national CT collaboration opportunities are identified, undertake feasibility studies to assess suitability of becoming an active collaborator 
• Liaise between our CT population ecologists and the Communications and Development teams to provide content for Wilder Institute’s communications channels and fundraising efforts 
• Identify opportunities for joint publications with new collaborators across Canada 
• Explore potential for eligibility to various grants and other national funding opportunities 
• Develop and subsequently implement plan to attract trainees and visiting researchers to the Wilder Institute 
• Support the Animal Care and Horticulture teams in assessing AZA-accredited zoos and aquaria, as well as botanical gardens and other plant-focused conservation programs, across Canada for potential engagement in new, scientific, cost-efficient collaborative conservation breeding and rearing programs 
• Frequent travel regionally within eastern Canada, and less frequently to western Canada and the Territories, will be required 
• Assist with other departmental needs associated with CT science as needed 
• Other tasks as required 
• May work with/supervise volunteers 

What you will bring: 

• MSc in Ecology, Biology, or a related field is required  
• 5+ years of experience in conservation biology or related field, including familiarity with biological fieldwork 
• Class 5 Driver’s License  
• Demonstrated experience communicating with partners and collaborators to develop and maintain excellent partner relations across a variety of sectors, including academia, non-profit, government, community groups, and corporate organizations 
• Experience writing proposals, grants, reports, and business cases 
• Familiar with scientific granting agencies and structures at both national and provincial levels 
• Experience publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers 
• Experience with scientific collaboration agreements, including memoranda of understanding and contracts 
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently 
• Project management experience is an asset 
• Experience interfacing with fund development staff is an asset 
• Ability to travel frequently across eastern Canada, and occasionally (2-4 times per year) to western Canada and/or the Territories 

 Working Conditions: 

• Long periods of computer-based office work 
• Occasional travel to partner meetings across Canada  

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues. 

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be a no smoking environment including vaping as of January 1, 2023. 
 
What We Offer: 

• A chance to make a direct impact on the conservation of a variety of species  
• Competitive compensation  
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account  
• Employer matching RRSP  
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise 
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of animals from around the world  

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? 

If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you. 

Apply by doing the following:  

Step 1: Watch this?video?about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (http://youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)? 

Step 2: Submit a cover letter and resume via our online application form.   

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. 
 
If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter no later than?September 21, 2022 @ 4:00pm MST.? 

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to?cultivate a workplace?in which?everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves?to work. As a conservation organization,?we?respect and value the diversity of all life?and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We?recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion,?and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive. 
 
All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.