Conservation Officer, Calgary

Position: Conservation Officer, Centre for Species Survival
Organization: Wilder Institute
Primary Location: Calgary, Alberta

Take the next leap in your career and make an impact on conservation and species survival by joining the team at the Wilder Institute!

The Wilder Institute is seeking a full-time permanent Conservation Officer, Centre for Species Survival.

Through an inclusive conservation approach and innovative science, we work to save threatened and endangered species and return them to the wild, where our planet needs them. The Wilder Institute and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) have partnered to create a Centre for Species Survival (CSS). The IUCN SSC is one of seven volunteer Commissions with a global membership of more than 10,000 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world. To further mobilize the species conservation efforts of the SSC alongside wider partner and key stakeholder communities, the CSS for Human Dimensions hosted by Wilder Institute will provide critical resources, training, capacity and coordination support to SSC expert groups and conservation practitioners around the world.

The Conservation Officer will play a critical role for the establishment and implementation of the CSS for Human Dimensions of conservation which is focused on sustainable use, livelihoods and health of people and communities who live with at-risk species. Positioned within the Wilder Institute’s Conservation & Science department, this role will report to the Senior Advisor, Human Dimensions of Conservation, and work closely with other members of the CSS team internally, and externally with SSC Specialist Groups, the SSC Chairs Office, and other partners. This position is well suited for an individual with a passion for inclusive conservation, people-focused solutions, knowledge sharing and capacity strengthening. The role will support, particularly through coordination and outreach, this international initiative to act as a resource hub for other conservation practitioners, empowering diverse and underrepresented actors by sharing and strengthening knowledge and capacity. The Conservation Officer will also support research and communications efforts for SSC partner groups as well as for the sharing and incorporation of inclusive conservation best practices across the entire organization, internally.

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

Contract:

• Start Date: June 2025
• Primary Location: Calgary, Alberta

What you will do:

• Provide coordination and other support for the development, establishment and implementation of the Centre for Species Survival (CSS) that focuses on capacity/knowledge sharing and empowerment of diverse and underrepresented actors in the human dimensions of conservation particularly from those in the Global South and Indigenous Nations within North America.
• Support the Senior Advisor, Human Dimensions of Conservation, other CSS team members and partners to develop content to produce resources such as guidelines, briefs, learning modules, training materials, tools and guidance, as well as coordinate the production of these resources, as required.
• Develop, organize and coordinate workshops, training sessions, presentations, meetings and other events for the CSS.
• Contribute to multi-year work-planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, tracking of progress, reporting, fundraising and any other aspects as needed for CSS activities.
• Working with the Conservation Programs Communications Advisor, support outreach, engagement, dissemination and any other tasks and tools required for the successful communications and networking functions of the CSS.
• Work with CSS team members to ensure the needs of target beneficiaries are met and seek out ways to increase impacts; this may include conducting scans and assessments.
• Research best practices, approaches and share knowledge to strengthen inclusive conservation understanding and capacity internally across Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
• Provide research, editorial and communication support to CSS partner groups for projects, publications and events, as needed.
• Travel domestically and/or internationally as necessary to carry out any of the responsibilities above; obtain related travel related and visa documents as required by the destination country.

What you will bring:

Required:

• MA/MSc in Conservation Science, International Development, Anthropology, Psychology, Social Work, or other relevant disciplines, or equivalent working experience
• At least 3 years of experience in applied human dimensions of conservation with an understanding of inclusive conservation
• Demonstrated experience involved in capacity strengthening programs
• Strong organizational skills and accuracy in detail-oriented work
• Excellent inclusive and diplomatic communication skills for a variety of audiences
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written language skills
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive), Adobe Acrobat, and SharePoint
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and to be self-motivated
• Experience working in a collaborative, team environment and ability to work well as part of a global team
• Open-mindedness with a willingness to learn and apply new skills and take on any tasks required
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize among multiple tasks and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines with adaptability to frequently changing priorities and deadlines
• Experience working respectfully across a diversity of nations and cultures, including those from the Global South
• Passion for inclusive conservation and people-focused solutions

Preferred or an Asset:

• Experience focused on at least one of the following topics and its relationship to conservation: sustainable use of wild species, livelihoods, human reproductive health and family planning
• Facilitation, project management, planning and experience developing or implementing Monitoring & Evaluation plans
• Experience developing guidelines, evaluation frameworks, training materials, and other content for conservation practitioners and/or community leaders
• Fluency in one or more other languages
• Lived or professional experience in the Global South

Working Conditions:

• Extensive office work involving long periods of sitting at computer workstations
• Must be able to work some early mornings and/or evenings as needed to support a global team across multiple time zones
• May be required to travel domestically and/or internationally for meetings which could include remote locations as part of their role
• May include field visits to conservation program sites which could involve hazards such as dangerous animals, insects, heat exhaustion, sunburn or frostbite, working with field equipment such as trucks or ATVs, heavy lifting of field equipment, exposure to wildlife diseases and/or wildfire smoke, and working in rural areas and/or remote communities

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo 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.

What the Zoo Offers:

• Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals

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;

• Learn more about Wilder Institute here.
• Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
• Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system: https://jobs.jobvite.com/calgaryzoo/job/oyN0vfwA
• Fill in the Application questions:
  • If hired, when would you be available to start?
  • If hired, what are your wage expectations?
  • Do you have an MA/MSc in a relevant discipline, or equivalent work experience? If so, please indicate the discipline or summarize the relevant work experience.
  • How many years of experience do you have in applied human dimensions of conservation? Please provide a brief summary of your experience in this area and how it aligns with inclusive conservation.
  • Briefly summarize your experience in programs/projects involving strengthening knowledge and capability among teams and different groups; this could include the delivery of trainings modules, development of manuals/guidance documents, or other relevant experience.
  • Which Nations, countries, communities and/or cultures do you have experience working in/with?

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 online by May 29, 2025 at 4pm MST.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

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.