PANTHERA Hiring for Project Coordinator, Cougar Research Collaborative at New York City Metropolitan Area Full Time

Founded in 2006, Panthera is devoted to the conservation of the world’s 40 species of wild cats and the vast ecosystems they inhabit. Our team of biologists, data scientists, law enforcement experts and wild cat advocates studies and protects the seven species of big cats: cheetahs, jaguars, leopards, lions, pumas, snow leopards and tigers. Panthera also creates targeted conservation strategies for the world’s most threatened and overlooked small cats.

With our supporters around the world, we inform the public about the plight of wild cats, help local communities live in harmony with wild cats, protect wild cats and their prey from poaching, fight the illegal wildlife trade and safeguard the precious landscapes wild cats need to survive.

Who You Are

You are passionate about global conservation efforts and the work Panthera is doing to protect wild cat populations and preserve the landscapes, communities and culture that they’re connected to. You are a seasoned manager of conservation programs with extensive and nuanced understanding of the Northeastern United States, especially with respect to regional, state and local wildlife-related policies. You have demonstrated experience working both within government, and in partnership with advocates, community organizers and grassroots groups to shape local policies while respecting the communities affected by these changes. You are committed to building strong partnerships and excel at collaborating with seasoned stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

What You’ll Do

In 2021, the Cougar Research Collaborative (CRC) was formed to explore the viability of future breeding populations of cougars in the northeast United States. The CRC is composed of representatives from three premiere conservation organizations, Tompkins Conservation, Northeast Wilderness Trust, and Panthera, and further supported by conservation scholars from The Ohio State University and Michigan Technological University. To date, our analyses have identified 13 patches of habitat in the Northeastern US large enough to support populations, and we have determined that there is significant public support for puma recovery, and for ecological restoration work more broadly, regardless of political affiliation, age, or participation in hunting activities. Now that we have significantly advanced the scientific foundation that supports the case for puma reestablishment, we are quickly approaching the time to engage decision makers, politicians and wildlife authorities on recovery efforts. All partners are committed to what we anticipate will be at least a ten-year timeline to bring this vision to a reality.

Responsibilities

This new strategic position will lead aspects of stakeholder engagement and advocacy regarding the cougar recovery effort in the Northeastern US, helping coordination of the CRC (formerly administered by Northeast Wilderness Trust). The responsibilities of this position will include the following:

• Oversee the public launch of the CRC in cooperation with the CRC Working Group and Panthera.
• Project manage a program of political and social engagement to advance cougar recovery efforts in the Northeastern US. More specifically, this calls for the design and execution of a long-term campaign to garner support for cougar population recovery across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Act as professional ambassador and liaison for the CRC and Panthera with state, provincial, and federal agencies, universities and other partnering individuals and organizations.
• Be the primary coordinator of project activities and data exchange among all collaborators, representing Panthera. This will require regular communication with collaborators, the Director for Small Cats Program and Conservation Translocations, and the Puma Program Director , as well as facilitating regular meetings with the CRC Working Group, CRC Steering Committee and others.
• Develop a strategic plan for effectively communicating our message and garnering support for the CRC’s goals and objectives.
• Organize relevant stakeholder groups and conduct in-person and remote information sessions, adeptly navigating potentially contentious situations.
• Liaise with Panthera’s central Communication Team to coordinate and approve outreach initiatives, collaborating with senior staff before their launch.
• Assist in hiring and supervise contractor(s) to assist with campaign development and expansion to the northern Great Lakes region.
• Collaborate with partners to ensure proper local data archiving and protection, and contribute to monitoring and evaluation of our work.
• Work with the Conservation Program Manager for North America on budgeting, and with the CRC and Panthera Business Development teams on fundraising and reporting.
• Attend and actively participate in Panthera’s organization-wide and puma team meetings, as well as collaborate and exchange ideas across Species programs and departments.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated political savviness and expertise; Background in wildlife conservation a plus.
• Experience building meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Must be able to exercise diplomacy in navigating potentially contentious situations.
• Ability to speak compellingly in person and remotely.
• Experience working both in collaborative teams and independently.
• Enthusiasm for the cause and a durable positive attitude through challenging experiences.
• Frequent travel will be required around the Northeast and, to a lesser extent, the northern Great Lakes region.
• Experience collaborating with tribal societies.
• Experience in long-term strategic planning and adaptive management.
• We encourage candidates who meet most but not necessarily all of the qualifications to apply.