Job Board

About the Organization

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 more than 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).
For more information, please visit y2y.net.

Position Description
Y2Y is seeking a Yukon Territory Conservation Specialist. This position is responsible for building the relationships and implementing the strategies required for Y2Y to effectively support all governments (Indigenous, Yukon, Canada) achieving the recently announced goal of protecting or conserving an additional 6 percent of the Yukon Territory to reach a total of 25 percent landscape protection by 2025.   

Specifically, this position will be responsible for contributing to the following bodies of work in a way that is consistent with Y2Y’s theory of change, principles for engaging with Indigenous people, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion:  

• Identify opportunities for Y2Y to support Indigenous-led conservation in the Yukon in a way that helps achieve the Yukon Territory’s recent 25 by 25 commitment;  
• Support Y2Y’s work to serve as an effective and supportive partner in the Yukon; 
• Help tell inspiring stories about Indigenous-led conservation in the Yukon in a way that furthers these efforts in the Yukon and beyond; 
• Develop a plan and associated program of work to guide Y2Y’s work in the Yukon through 2030. 

The location for this position is flexible but must be within the Yukon Territory. This individual will report to the Director of Landscape Protection and will support Y2Y’s work to ensure wide-ranging wildlife have sufficient core habitat.   

Responsibilities

The Conservation Specialist will: 

• Represent Y2Y in the Yukon Territory; 
• Identify opportunities to advance the Y2Y 2030 program plan, specifically advancing Indigenous-led land protection efforts and work with the Director of Landscape Protection to develop a plan and associated program of work for Y2Y in the Yukon; 
• Communicate and co-ordinate regularly and effectively with Y2Y’s current and potential partners in the Yukon;
• Work closely with the Director of Landscape Protection and other Y2Y staff to build new and deeper relationships with Indigenous, conservation and other potential partners in the Yukon; 
• Become familiar with (and regularly communicate to Y2Y colleagues) the status of large landscape protection efforts and opportunities in the Yukon; 
• Manage and build relationships that support Y2Y engagement with Yukon partners and governments in effective ways;
• Identify opportunities for Y2Y to lend capacity to Indigenous-led land protection efforts in the Yukon;  
• Serve as a member of Y2Y’s Landscape Protection Team, while working collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues in the U.S. and Canada; 
• Work closely with Y2Y communications staff and partners to support storytelling that inspires people to engage in landscape protection work in the Yukon; 
• Responsibly manage relevant portions of the Landscape Protection Team budget, ensuring expenditures are on track and any changes to priorities or spending are communicated promptly to the Landscape Protection Director;  
• Travel within the Yukon and to Y2Y’s headquarters in Canmore, Alberta as required. 

Candidate Profile

• A clear commitment to Y2Y’s vision and mission; 
• Strong personal support for Yukon’s 25x25 goal and Canada’s 30x30 goal; 
• Knowledge, experience and relationships within the Yukon Territory;  
• Experience with effective engagement in governmental decision-making processes; 
• Effective communication skills; 
• Experience in advocating for landscape protection or other conservation projects, preferably in the Yukon; 
• Knowledge of and personal commitment to supporting Indigenous rights and governance as well as Indigenous-led conservation, especially in the Yukon; 
• Experience engaging with Indigenous and non-Indigenous government agencies and elected officials at various levels; 
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modelling inclusive behaviours, and proactively managing bias; 
• Experience serving as a productive member of diverse and successful teams, coalitions and collaborations; 
• Experience helping to manage relevant portions of project budgets; 
• Ability and interest to travel throughout the Yukon with some regularity. 

Terms of Employment

• The location for this full-time position (37.5 hours/week) is flexible but should be based within the Yukon Territory; 
• Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $75,000-80,000.

Term of employment will extend to March 2024 and may be evaluated for possible extension beyond that date. 

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 a cover letter and resume with title formats as follows: “(Last Name) (First Name)” - Cover and “(Last Name) (First Name)” - Resume Subject: “Your Name” – Application for Y2Y Yukon Territory Conservation Specialist to careers@y2y.net.

We thank all applicants but only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. Application review begins upon receipt and applicants may be contacted before the closing date.

Questions about the position can be directed to Scott Brennan, Y2Y’s Senior Director of Conservation Programs, at scott@y2y.net. Short, preliminary interviews may be held via conference call or Zoom.  

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.