The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is looking to fill a unique position with a job title that raises eyebrows, questions, and possibly the hair on the back of your neck: grizzly bear conflict manager.
The Montana-based job offers a salary of up to $103,000, plus plenty of outdoor excursions and, of course, close encounters with bears, and people too, according to the job posting, as the conflicts in need of managing generally involve bears and people.
“Position requires a balanced perspective, significant grizzly bear handling experience, and strong communication and relationship building skills,” the posting read.
“The job involves a substantial amount of field work,” and such work has physical demands, including hiking, climbing, crouching, crawling, lifting.
“Travel to remote study sites will be required via boats, small aircraft, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and/or on foot. Extended periods of camping in tents or cabins in remote field camps may occur,” according to the posting.
At times, it may be necessary to carry a firearm for self-defense.
The grizzly bear conflict manager helps with “coordinating” conflicts not only in Montana but in Wyoming, Idaho and Washington too, according to the job description.
Conflict comes in different forms, from bears that have grown dangerously comfortable around humans, bears caught rooting through trash cans and dumpsters, and even bears killing livestock, poultry and pets, bear biologist Tim Manley told the Flathead Beacon. Manley plans to retire after a 37-year career.
Such conflicts have grown more common in Montana, according to Manley, making the work of conflict management more important than ever.
Sometimes bears need to be captured, sedated and moved elsewhere. In situations where that’s not enough, or when relocation fails, euthanization may be necessary.
“I have said it many times before … killing bears is the worst part of my job,” Manley said, the Flathead Beacon reported. “We try to avoid having to do it but when bears become very food-conditioned and start causing property damage and breaking into vehicles, trailers and cabins, those bears are removed.”
By resolving and preventing conflicts, the manager helps keep bears out of trouble, allowing the population to flourish, the Beacon reported.
The deadline to apply for the position is March 8.
