Linear Infrastructure Ecologist

Position Overview

The Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) seeks an enthusiastic, hard-working team player who is passionate about conservation and interested in advancing the science and practice of linear infrastructure ecology, wildlife connectivity, and wildlife-friendly infrastructure. The Linear Infrastructure Ecologist will provide technical expertise for a range of applied science and conservation products, transform science into usable knowledge and capacity-strengthening tools, and contribute to CLLC's efforts to strengthen the capacity of communities of practice to advance wildlife-friendly linear infrastructure. This position will work across multiple linear infrastructure sectors, including roads, railways, power lines, pipelines, and other infrastructure that can affect wildlife movement, habitat connectivity, and ecological processes.

The position requires a background in ecology, conservation, and scientific writing, ideally combined with experience in road or linear infrastructure ecology and applied conservation. The successful candidate will be a strong scientific communicator who can work across disciplines, translate technical information into practical recommendations, manage multiple projects, and collaborate effectively with researchers, practitioners, government agencies, infrastructure professionals, and conservation organizations. While experience in road ecology is highly relevant, the candidate will at least bring a broad perspective on connectivity and applied conservation and demonstrate the ability to quickly develop expertise across infrastructure sectors.

The Linear Infrastructure Ecologist will work closely with CLLC's Linear Infrastructure Ecology Program leadership and other CLLC staff and partners to advance program priorities, strengthen technical capacity, and ensure that scientific knowledge contributes to meaningful improvements in linear infrastructure planning, design, mitigation, monitoring, and management.

Work Location: Remote

Work Arrangement: In-Person at Bozeman or Missoula, Montana; Hybrid or Remote options

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental & vision insurance, up to a 5% match on 401k contributions, generous PTO, and flexible scheduling

Application Deadline: Open until filled, preference given to applications received by November 20, 2026.

Preferred start date: February 1, 2027, or earlier

Key Responsibilities

• Applied science and technical review: Translate scientific evidence into practical guidance for practitioners, agencies, and infrastructure planners. Lead literature reviews and evidence syntheses, review wildlife crossing designs, mitigation plans, and infrastructure projects, and produce technical reports, guidance documents, and case studies.
• Monitoring and assessment: Help develop protocols for evaluating wildlife movement, mortality, connectivity, and mitigation effectiveness. Support country and regional assessments of linear infrastructure impacts, policies, and capacity, and contribute to CLLC’s technical knowledge repositories.
• Training and knowledge exchange: Turn complex technical topics into accessible content such as policy briefs, presentations, and webinars. Develop and coordinate workshops, training curricula, and online courses on linear infrastructure ecology, and evaluate these activities to improve future offerings.
• Partnerships and networks: Build relationships with researchers, government agencies, engineers, consultants, and NGOs. With support, convene and facilitate technical discussions. Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen regional and international Linear Infrastructure Ecology communities of practice by supporting network communications, member engagement, and practitioner outreach.
• Program support: Work with program leadership to advance strategy and projects, and contribute to proposals, fundraising, and grant reporting. Participate in cross-program CLLC activities, travel as needed, and mentor junior staff, interns, and early-career professionals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree and three years of relevant professional experience in ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology, environmental science, natural resource management; or bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct, interpret, and synthesize scientific research and translate scientific evidence into practical recommendations, high-quality technical reports, guidance documents, scientific publications, or similar products.
• Strong communication skills, including scientific and technical writing, communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, oral presentations, and strong interpersonal communication.
• Proficiency with standard office software, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and virtual meeting platforms.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience working across multiple linear infrastructure sectors, such as roads, railways, power lines, pipelines, canals, or other infrastructure.
• Experience designing or evaluating wildlife monitoring programs and mitigation effectiveness studies.
• Experience with the appropriate application of mitigation measures to support connectivity of a variety of species, such as crossing structures, fencing, and other measures.
• Experience developing online courses or other digital learning products.
• Experience facilitating technical working groups, communities of practice, or professional networks.
• Experience working with government agencies or infrastructure authorities on applied conservation or environmental planning.
• Experience working internationally or across multiple geographic and institutional contexts.
• Experience working in a nonprofit, research institution, government agency, or other mission-driven organization.
• Proficiency in a second language is an asset.

Characteristics for Success

• Ability to work effectively with diverse partners, including researchers, conservation practitioners, government agencies, infrastructure professionals, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to learn new technical subjects and infrastructure sectors quickly and apply knowledge across different contexts.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a distributed, multidisciplinary, and hybrid team.
• Ability to provide, receive, and respond constructively to ongoing feedback.
• Ability to manage several projects at once and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining progress toward established objectives.
• Committed to collaborative, inclusive, and solution-oriented approaches to conservation.
• Demonstrated ability to work across linguistic and cultural contexts

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information    

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the Center for Large Landscapes’ rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Occasional evening and/or weekend hours
• Willingness to travel both within North America and internationally
• Valid driver’s license

Physical Demands                     

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to accomplish each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

CLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment at CLLC is open to all. Employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law.