WSC is the leading group working to protect the strongest wild salmon rivers around the North Pacific – salmon strongholds. We have programs in Alaska, British Columbia, the Western Pacific, and the California, Oregon and Washington coasts. The home office is located in Portland, Oregon.
We focus on wild salmon because they are an iconic and powerful conservation symbol, wild to the core, with an incredible life story. When you protect salmon, you support the life of whole watersheds and everything in them, including people. We build alliances with and work alongside the most effective local and regional partners in the North Pacific.
We depend on the best conservation science to guide pragmatic, implementable solutions to sustain wild salmonids, as well as the human communities and livelihoods that depend on them.
Fisheries Analyst
Title: Fisheries Analyst
Location: Portland, OR (preferred; other PNW locations considered on a case-by-case basis)
Reports to: Director of Science
Status: Full Time Exempt
The Organization
Wild Salmon Center works to protect some of the most beautiful and productive rivers left on the planet. These “salmon strongholds” are home not only to the king of fish but grizzly bears, bald eagles, orcas, and more than 130 other species that depend on wild salmon. These rivers also support thriving coastal communities and Indigenous cultures. If you are called home to these kinds of wild places and live to protect them, then WSC is the organization for you. The organization also features excellent benefits competitive with major international conservation organizations and offers room for professional growth.
The Position
The Fisheries Analyst is a new position that will bring expertise in quantitative fisheries analysis and stock assessment. The position will expand the organization’s capacity to analyze current systems of salmon fisheries management and to identify sustainable and equitable fisheries reforms. This position will deliver research and assessment products to WSC and our partners that support the identification and adoption of reforms and recommendations to achieve sustainable and equitable salmon fisheries. This position will also provide quantitative analyses to support diverse conservation science projects across the Pacific Rim in partnership with WSC’s science team and external collaborators, including a group of world-class conservation scientists who comprise the WSC Science Advisory Board. Wild Salmon Center’s strategies to promote resilient wild fish populations and sustainable fisheries include working collaboratively with partners to advance science-driven policy reforms and investing in capacity building in local communities to enable effective monitoring and management in stronghold rivers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and apply advanced statistical tools, including stock assessment, integrated population models, and other quantitative approaches to determine if priority salmon stocks are overfished, identify fisheries reforms needed to rebuild depleted salmon stocks, and identify harvest strategies that can sustain the abundance and diversity of salmon stocks.
- Perform quantitative analysis of ecological data to support diverse Science team projects, including food web analysis, environmental and demographic modeling, and genetic bioinformatics.
- Work with the Science Director and Conservation Program Directors to prioritize and deliver the most appropriate science and technical assistance to WSC’s conservation programs.
- Effectively communicate with diverse, non-technical audiences to share knowledge and explain policy recommendations.
- Work with WSC’s Science team and Communications Program to publish peer-reviewed research and to develop science communications that educate and motivate target audiences on key salmon conservation issues.
- Cultivate collaborative relationships with agency, academic, NGO and private-sector peers to provide guidance and access to the best available science.
- Work with WSC’s Science Director and Development Program to attract funding for priority conservation science initiatives.
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Fisheries, Conservation Biology or related field (Ph.D. with a quantitative focus preferred)
- Demonstrated experience in quantitative assessment applied in the fisheries management context
- Familiarity with fisheries management systems, as well as the role of science in setting salmon habitat and fishery policies
- Standing in the conservation science community; professional and academic stature and a record of peer-reviewed publication
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; effective, diplomatic and friendly communication style and ability to translate complex science and conservation issues into clear and understandable language to diverse audiences
- Flexibility regarding travel and hours; this position requires travel up to 10% of the time
- Passion and commitment to the conservation of wild salmon and their ecosystems
Compensation
The pay range for this full-time position is between $105-120K, commensurate with experience. Additionally, a comprehensive benefits package, designed to help our employees stay healthy and plan for their financial future, includes:
- 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (includes employee/spouse, employee/dependent(s), as well as a partial premium for full family coverage)
- Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) plan that matches at 125% for the first 6% of salary contributed
- Three weeks of vacation (to start), two weeks of sick and twelve paid holidays
- Flexible Spending Account (health & dependent care)
- Support for continuing education
- Cell phone allowance & monthly stipend
- Flexible hybrid work schedule
- Outstanding work culture, including regular opportunities to visit and connect with salmon rivers
To Apply
Submit cover letter and CV to careers@wildsalmoncenter.org and include “Fisheries Analyst” in the subject line. For full consideration, please apply by August 15, 2025. The appointment is anticipated to start in the early fall, 2025.
Wild Salmon Center is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We will gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to our HR Manager at eellis@wildsalmoncenter.org in advance to request assistance.
Salmon Watershed Scientist Program Manager
Title: Salmon Watershed Scientist Program Manager
Location: Portland, OR
Reports to: Director of Science
Status: Full Time Exempt
The Organization
Wild Salmon Center works to protect some of the most beautiful and productive rivers left on the planet. These “salmon strongholds” are home not only to the king of fish but grizzly bears, bald eagles, orcas, and more than 130 other species that depend on wild salmon. These rivers also support thriving coastal communities and Indigenous cultures. If you are called home to these kinds of wild places and live to protect them, then WSC is the organization for you. The organization also features excellent benefits competitive with major international conservation organizations and offers room for professional growth.
The Position
Wild Salmon Center invites applications for Salmon Watershed Scientist/Program Manager, a full-time, regular exempt position eligible for all WSC benefits. The position is based in WSC’s home office in Portland, Oregon. The person in this position will work with WSC’s Science Director and Science Program staff to develop, manage, and execute applied salmon conservation research, provide scientific support to WSC’s conservation initiatives, collaborate with WSC program staff, and communicate science findings to policy makers, managers, and the public.
The Salmon Watershed Scientist will help maintain and enhance WSC’s reputation and standing as the leading science-based Pacific salmon conservation organization. This position will support priority conservation science projects across the Pacific Rim, including collaborations with a group of world-class conservation scientists who comprise the WSC Science Advisory Board. They will be responsible for coordination between WSC’s Science Program and project partners, as well as project management, collaborative analysis and communication of critical salmon information, concepts, and innovative approaches to salmon conservation. In doing so, the Salmon Watershed Scientist will continue to support WSC in developing, prioritizing, and communicating science-based conservation strategies.
The successful candidate will have a degree in fisheries, freshwater ecology, geomorphology, watershed science, or related field; experience with project management including coordination between WSC and partners, and experience leading or contributing to peer-reviewed publications. They will be mission-driven, skillful at working independently and with teams, and possess a collaborative spirit and excellent communication skills. They will have experience or the capacity to develop skills to work with partners from diverse nations and cultures. We are especially interested in candidates with a strong passion for Pacific salmon conservation.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage Science Program projects and initiatives including: field sampling; sample processing; data management and analysis; securing research permits; managing project budgets; and other related tasks.
- Work with the Science Director and Program Directors to prioritize and deliver the most appropriate science and technical assistance to projects or initiatives as needed.
- Work with WSC’s Science Director and Communications Program to contribute to peer-reviewed research and to develop science communications that educate and motivate target audiences on key salmon conservation issues.
- Work with WSC’s Science Director and Spatial Ecologist to deliver map-based products to WSC programs and partners.
- Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with agency, academic, NGO and private-sector peers to provide guidance and access to the best available science.
- Work with WSC Scientists and the Development Program to help secure funding for priority science initiatives.
Desired Qualifications
- MSc in fisheries, freshwater ecology, geomorphology, watershed science, or related field, or a bachelors and 3-years of work experience
- Experience and interest in project management and coordination
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Working knowledge and experience in using various software applications for GIS and statistics (e.g. ESRI ArcPro, R)
- Knowledge of Pacific salmon life histories and watersheds
- Active participation in and familiarity with applied salmon conservation science
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; effective diplomatic and friendly communication style, and ability to translate complex science and conservation issues into clear and understandable language to diverse audiences
- Passion and commitment to the conservation of wild salmon and their ecosystems
- Ability to participate in field work including hiking in diverse terrain in and around flowing water
- Ability to attend events, meetings and workshops outside of regular work hours as requested and ability to travel regionally and internationally to complete field studies
Compensation
The pay range for this full-time position is between $65,000 and $75,000, commensurate with experience.
Additionally, a comprehensive benefits package, designed to help our employees stay healthy and plan for their financial future, includes:
- 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (includes employee/spouse, employee/dependent(s), as well as a partial premium for full family coverage)
- Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) plan that matches at 125% for the first 6% of salary contributed
- Three weeks of vacation (to start), two weeks of sick and twelve paid holidays
- Flexible Spending Account (health & dependent care)
- Support for continuing education
- Cell phone allowance & monthly stipend
- Flexible hybrid work schedule
- Outstanding work culture, including regular opportunities to visit and connect with salmon rivers
To Apply
Submit cover letter and CV to careers@wildsalmoncenter.org and include “Salmon Watershed Scientist” in the subject line. For full consideration, please apply by August 15, 2025. The appointment is anticipated to start in the early fall of 2025.
Wild Salmon Center is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We will gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to our HR Manager at eellis@wildsalmoncenter.org in advance to request assistance.
Individual Giving Manager
Title: Individual Giving Manager
Location: Portland, OR
Reports to: Senior Development Manager
Status: Exempt, full-time
The Organization
Wild Salmon Center works to protect some of the most beautiful and productive rivers left on the planet. These “salmon strongholds” are home not only to the king of fish but grizzly bears, bald eagles, orcas, and more than 130 other species that depend on wild salmon. These rivers also support thriving coastal communities and Indigenous cultures. If you are called home to these kinds of wild places and live to protect them, then WSC is the organization for you. The organization also features excellent benefits competitive with major international conservation organizations and offers room for professional growth.
The Team
The Development department is the engine of WSC’s work, raising the funds and building the relationships necessary to advance the organization’s mission. This is a team of detail-oriented, hardworking, and highly collaborative staff who also appreciate work-life balance, are passionate about conservation, and take the time to get out to the places we work so hard to protect. The Development team works in close collaboration with WSC’s Communications department to meet outreach, fundraising, and stewardship goals.
The Position
Wild Salmon Center is at a unique moment in our history as we build on successful, decades-long campaigns across the North Pacific creating durable protections for salmon stronghold rivers – as well as surrounding ecosystems and communities. To bolster this progress and ensure it continues well into the future, WSC is launching a major documentary film project and associated campaign in 2026 that will recruit the next generation of salmon champions. This new, full-time position will enable WSC to take advantage of this opportunity by helping us capture, educate, and engage a new conservation audience with the goal of inspiring them to act, become donors, and increase their support over time. We are looking for a development professional with experience managing grassroots to mid-level fundraising programs, a strong understanding of digital giving trends and platforms, and a passion for environmental protection. This is a hybrid position based in our Portland, Oregon headquarters.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy aimed at acquiring, engaging, and retaining lower-level to mid-level donors, with a focus on digital fundraising, monthly giving, and annual giving campaigns.
- Lead copywriting for all fundraising appeals, including direct mail, email, donor acknowledgements, website content, and social media, ensuring consistent voice and compelling donor-centered messaging across platforms.
- Create and manage a year-round calendar of appeals, coordinating integrated multi-channel campaigns (email, direct mail, web, and social media) in partnership with WSC’s designers and external vendors.
- Serve as the Development team lead for WSC’s email and advocacy platform, Engaging Networks, and confer with the Communications team on annual acquisition and engagement strategies to feed the grassroots advocate and supporter “pipeline”.
- Design and implement a refreshed stewardship program for WSC’s monthly, mid-level, and lower-level donors, including tailored email journeys, thank-you gifts and digital engagement opportunities.
- Collaborate with Development leadership and external consultants to evaluate program strategy and performance and integrate them into broader fundraising plans and campaigns to meet annual revenue goals.
- Monitor conservation programs and campaigns to identify opportunities to align appeals with key milestones, public wins, and policy actions.
- Write donor-centered content including “ways to give” spotlights and donor features for print and digital newsletters, annual reports, and social media.
- Collaborate with the Development Director to incorporate legacy giving into the broader grassroots fundraising strategy.
- Track, analyze, and report on campaign performance for digital and mail appeals, including but not limited to donor retention metrics, email open/click rates, donation form conversions, ads, web pop-ups, and web UX for WSC donors.
- Work with Development operations staff to ensure accurate reporting and acknowledgment of contributions and fulfillment of donor benefits.
- Monitor trends in the fundraising sector and identify new potential practices, platforms, and revenue channels for the organization.
- Coordinate with Events staff to identify and implement grassroots fundraising strategies for community events and occasionally assist with local tabling opportunities.
Desired Qualifications
- 3-5 years of demonstrated experience managing a successful membership or individual giving program.
- Strong knowledge of best practices, trends, demographics, and top issues related to grassroots fundraising.
- Experience with donation form optimization web UX as it relates online donor conversion.
- Experience with digital and direct mail donor acquisition strategies.
- Understanding and ability to track, report, and analyze data on membership or individual giving.
- Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to evoke emotion and action by crafting narratives that highlight impact.
- Passion for the environment, conservation, outdoor recreation, and natural resources.
- Exemplary attention to detail.
- Collaborative and proactive team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge CRM and Engaging Networks preferred.
- Aligned with Wild Salmon Center’s mission and values.
Education
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Compensation
The pay range for this full-time position is between $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience. Additionally, a comprehensive benefits package, designed to help our employees stay healthy and plan for their financial future, includes:
- 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (includes employee/spouse, employee/dependent(s), as well as a partial premium for full family coverage)
- Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) plan that matches at 125% for the first 6% of salary contributed (after 6 months)
- Four weeks of vacation (to start), two weeks of sick and 10+ paid holidays
- Flexible Spending Account (health & dependent care)
- Support for continuing education
- Cell phone allowance & monthly stipend
- Flexible hybrid work schedule
- Outstanding work culture, including regular opportunities to visit and connect with salmon rivers
To Apply
Submit your application packet to careers@wildsalmoncenter.org including a cover letter, CV and a writing sample demonstrating your proficiency with one of the following: 1) email appeal, 2) direct mail appeal, or 3) acknowledgement letter. Please include “Individual Giving Manager” in the email subject line. Additionally, note in your cover letter where you learned of this position. Applications will be accepted through Friday July 25, 2025, by 5:00 pm.
*Note – incomplete applications will not be reviewed for consideration.
Social Media Specialist (Contract Position)
Location: Portland, Oregon
Reports to: Senior Communications Manager
Status: Contract
The Organization
Wild Salmon Center (WSC) works to protect some of the most beautiful and productive rivers left on the planet. These “salmon strongholds” are home not only to the king of fish but grizzly bears, bald eagles, orcas, and more than 130 other species that depend on wild salmon. These rivers also support thriving coastal communities and Indigenous cultures. If you are called home to these kinds of wild places and live to protect them, then WSC is the organization for you.
The Position
Wild Salmon Center is at a unique moment in our history. We’re building durable protections for salmon stronghold rivers, with benefits for surrounding ecosystems and communities, through decades-long campaigns across the North Pacific. Tactical and engaging communications will continue to drive our organizational growth and conservation success. Additionally, we are launching a major IMAX film project and associated campaign in 2026.
WSC is looking for a 2025 contract social media specialist with an understanding of social trends, viral content, strategic platforms, and a passion for environmental conservation. This contract will be managed by WSC’s Senior Communications Manager and collaborate with our Development and Communications teams. This role will support WSC social media strategy by posting to our social platforms, engaging with and responding to the social community, and creating accurate and timely reports.
Responsibilities and deliverables:
- Schedule social media posts, stories, reels – across platforms:
- Use a social scheduling platform to post Wild Salmon Center and program specific channel content to social media platforms. (We’re currently on Sprout.)
- Use WSC content calendar to plan and manage posting schedule.
- Coordinate with the events team to provide social support for WSC and partner events.
- Support the Development team through posting appeal-driven social content and stories.
- Manage social media content calendar.
- Track social media success and opportunities and report out monthly.
- Work with creators to build engaging content, and improve and iterate based on performance.
- Manage social media community
- Respond to comments and messages on social platforms.
- Comment and start discussions, where appropriate.
- Amplify and repost partner, ambassador and relevant other posts.
- Maintain and update social profiles and Threads, based on campaigns, create a cohesive whole online presence.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- 3+ years of direct social media experience
- Passion for the environment, conservation, politics, outdoor recreation, natural resources, or similar space
- Demonstrated knowledge of social media trends, marketing and storytelling
- Social media copy writing
- Excellent team and interpersonal skills
- Flexibility, adaptiveness
Pluses:
- Experience creating viral images, videos and reels.
- Influencer program expertise
- Social advertising and boosting experience
Hours and compensation
This part time, contract position is structured to be flexible to the needs of the job and the needs of the contractor, while meeting the key deliverables. Please include your project compensation requirements with your application.
To Apply:
Please apply to jsmith@wildsalmoncenter.org and include “Social Media Specialist” in the subject line. Additional supporting materials including case studies, a social media project portfolio, etc. is encouraged.
Wild Salmon Center is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We will gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to our Senior Manager of People & Culture at eellis@wildsalmoncenter.org in advance to request assistance.
