Regional Liaison - Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative

Position Summary

We seek an engaging connector and partnership builder to join the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative (WFFRC) as a liaison in the Rocky Mountain region. WFFRC is engaging 10 science teams to create and implement a research program that will ensure the science of fire ecology and forest resilience can support effective solutions for the fire crisis in the western US. WFFRC is led by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem studies and is expected to run for the next 5 to 10 years. The regional liaison will have the opportunity to connect with WFFRC science teams across the country. This position will be supervised by WFFRC’s Deputy Director for Policy and Management, Dr. Crystal Raymond.

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is the world’s premier think tank on ecosystem science. It is a uniquely collaborative, supportive, and welcoming institution. The successful candidate will have opportunities for professional development beyond the project. For additional information on the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative, visit https://www.westernfireforest.org/. For additional information about Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, visit https://www.caryinstitute.org/.

Salary Statement: This is a full-time fully benefitted exempt position. Annual salary ranges from $68,000- $72,000 depending on experience plus a highly competitive benefits and time-off package. A start date before March 30, 2026 is preferred

Essential Responsibilities

● Conduct on-the-ground engagement with state, federal, and non-governmental land management organizations in the Rocky Mountain region.

● Represent WFFRC’s science agenda at regional meetings, workshops, and conferences.

● Build partnerships and maintain relationships with land managers.

● Connect the practical challenges facing land managers with WFFRC’s science program by identifying science needs and working with WFFRC scientists to customize research products.

● Represent the science needs of managers in the development of place-based research, customized deliverables, and science synthesis.

● Collaborate with science–management boundary organizations, such as the Fire Science Exchange Network, to strengthen regional capacity for knowledge exchange

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in ecology, natural resource management, natural resource policy, or related field.

• One year of experience in applied research or natural resource management and policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with science-management partnerships and working collaboratively at the boundary of science and decision-making.

• A professional network of researchers or natural resource managers in the region.

• Knowledge of the land and resource management decision-making context and challenges specific to the Rocky Mountain region.

• Experience with facilitation and stakeholder engagement.

Required Skills

• Experience with applied fire or forest ecology research or natural resource management.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to quickly build and maintain relationships, foster science–management partnerships, and expand professional networks.

• Ability to work remotely, independently, and collaboratively with science teams dispersed around the country.

• Strong skills in oral and written science communication for diverse, non-scientific audiences.

• Familiarity with ecosystems, fire regimes, and forest ecology in the Rocky Mountain region.

• A passion for applying science to achieve real-world impact

Working Conditions

● Full time, exempt, fully benefited

● One year initial appointment, renewable for an additional year contingent upon performance and funding.

● The Cary Institute standard work week is 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

● This position is remote and open to candidates living in Colorado, Idaho, or Montana.

● Regular travel in the Rocky Mountain region (Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming).

● Other domestic travel outside the region approximately 2-5 times per year.

● This position has no physical demands, safety concerns, or potential hazards.

● Finalist candidates must successfully complete a post-offer, pre-employment background check.

Closing Date: Application review will begin by February 27, 2026.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should complete an online application at www.caryinstitute.org/who-we-are/jobs. Please upload a single PDF including a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) describing research interests, CV, and contact information for three references using the upload resume link on the application website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, familial status, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.