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Conservation Pilot Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Conservation Pilot information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$56.3K

$149K

$228.7K

How much do conservation pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for conservation pilot in Seattle, WA is $148,986.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,800.00 and $176,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a conservation pilot?

A Conservation Pilot is a specialized aviator who flies missions to support environmental and wildlife conservation efforts. Their duties may include conducting aerial surveys, monitoring wildlife populations, detecting illegal activities like poaching or deforestation, and assisting in habitat protection. They often work for government agencies, conservation organizations, or research institutions. The role requires both piloting skills and knowledge of conservation practices. Conservation Pilots may operate in remote areas and challenging conditions to support environmental sustainability.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a conservation pilot?

To thrive as a Conservation Pilot, you need a commercial pilot’s license, strong navigational abilities, and experience flying in challenging environments, often tailored by specialized training in aerial surveillance or low-level flying. Familiarity with GPS mapping equipment, aerial photography tools, and flight planning software is typically required, along with certifications such as an instrument rating or FAA Part 137 for certain conservation operations. Excellent communication, situational awareness, and quick decision-making skills help pilots coordinate with ground teams and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. These qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe and effective support of conservation projects, such as wildlife monitoring, firefighting, or habitat surveys, often carried out in remote or rugged locations.

What types of organizations employ conservation pilots, and what is the typical work environment?

Conservation Pilots are commonly employed by government agencies, wildlife conservation nonprofits, environmental consulting firms, and private contractors that support conservation efforts. The work environment often includes operating from small regional airports, remote landing strips, or temporary field bases, with much of the job spent flying over diverse terrains such as forests, wetlands, and savannahs. Pilots may work independently or as part of multidisciplinary teams, collaborating closely with wildlife biologists, rangers, and ground support crews. The role can involve irregular hours and periods of intensive fieldwork, but it offers the reward of directly contributing to environmental preservation and diverse natural resource management projects.

Infographic showing various Conservation Pilot job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $148,986 per year, or $71.6 per hour.

Conservation and Outreach Program Administrator

City of Bellevue

Bellevue, WA • On-site, Remote

$92K - $127K/yr

Part-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Come Join the City of Bellevue. Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only.

Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary Bellevue Utilities has an exciting opportunity for an experienced, creative, and highly motivated team player to oversee several of its award-winning environmental outreach programs for a dynamic, international, and multicultural city. As Conservation and Outreach Program Administrator, you will lead public outreach, education, technical assistance, and innovations to foster conservation and move us toward the Sustainable Bellevue Plan goal of Zero Waste by 2050. This role is ideal for someone excited to work directly with the community and build partnerships.

We'll be looking for your expertise and fresh ideas to inspire Bellevue's residents and businesses. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Program Administration Administer citywide outreach, education, and technical assistance for waste prevention, recycling/composting, household hazardous waste management, and water efficiency/conservation. Align program administration with key values and plans, including the City's Core Values, the City's Diversity Advantage Plan, the City's Sustainable Bellevue Plan, Utilities Strategic Plan, and Utilities Public Engagement Strategy. Manage projects and pilots to improve public participation; oversee schedule, resources, participation, and analysis; recommend and make improvements based on evaluation.

Collaborate with Solid Waste Program Manager and solid waste collection contractor to deliver citywide waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs to residents and businesses. Provide staff briefings and information to departmental leadership, the Environmental Services Commission, and the City Council. Community Outreach Equitably connect community to program resources, tools, and benefits.

Design and implement outreach approaches to reach an audience of 150,000 residents, 1,800 commercial properties, and 20,000 students, using community-based social marketing tactics. Oversee design, development, and distribution of educational and marketing materials (such as guides, posters, decals, videos, prompts, social media and website content, and promotional items). Create, develop, and coordinate educational workshops and events; recruit and oversee participants.

Oversee inventory and storage of outreach program supplies. Administration of Contracts, Budgets, and Grants Administer finances for an approximately $500,000 annual budget (grants and city funds) for outreach and education programs. Administer grants (e.g., Local Solid Waste Fund Assistance Grant, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program Grant, Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant) through scope development, applications, approvals, coordination, reporting, and reimbursement

Procure, develop, negotiate, and manage contracts with vendors, other City departments, other jurisdictions and partners to ensure compliance with specifications and budget; process vendor invoices, monitor vendor budgets, and review vendor reports to ensure performance meets expectations. Collaborate with Solid Waste Program Manager to ensure accurate and timely preparation of budget and grant documents with the City Utilities' Fiscal Team and the Finance Department staff. Partnership Building Establish and maintain relationships with community groups, neighborhoods, businesses, and property managers.

Coordinate local efforts with regional programs and organizations; ensure community members fully benefit from regional programs. Serve on regional committees and teams focused on solid waste initiatives and related conservation topics. Maintain a strong partnership with Bellevue Public Schools.

Collaborate on educational approach and enhancements for water efficiency and conservation programming, including Utilities Waterwise Garden. Collaborate with City's Stream Team Coordinator, Resource Conservation Manager, and Sustainable Bellevue Plan staff. Supervision Received and Exercised Reports to Solid Waste Program Manager.

Works under general supervision. Position requires the ability to exercise influence with positions and people where no formal supervisory relationship exists. Supports recruitment, task assignments, and professional development of part-time support staff; may formally supervise part-time staff and/or volunteers.

Qualifications Experience Experience designing and conducting public outreach programs; experience in the public sector and solid waste industry preferred. Experience working with diverse audiences and community sectors. Experience managing contracts, overseeing grants, troubleshooting concerns from the community, and assisting with budgetary and analytical duties.

Experience creating agenda memorandum, briefings, educational materials, surveys, and promotional materials. Experience delivering successful community-based social marketing projects to effect lasting behavior change preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to connect and inspire people to drive effective teamwork, communication, collaboration, and commitment across multiple groups with competing priorities.

Cultural competence and the ability to work with a diverse group of individuals. Ability to express technical information in a non-technical manner. Excellent public speaking/presentation skills.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to proficiently use office software, including word processing and presentation tools (preferably Word and PowerPoint); spreadsheets to track budgets and projects (preferably Excel); and remote work tools (such as Teams). Knowledge of effective contract and budget administration.

Ability to read, understand, and interpret Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. Ability to conduct complex administrative tasks, studies, and analyses. Education and Other Requirements Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree, preferably in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, Communications, Business or Public Administration, or related field.

At least three (3) years of full-time professional experience conducting public outreach programs; experience in the public sector and solid waste industry preferred. Must pass a criminal background check. Supplemental Information FLEXIBLE/HYBRID WORKING A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period.

Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall. HIRING PROCESS The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only.

Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics.

To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible. Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting. We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.

Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.

All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor. Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications. At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision.

The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world.

Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet. Come join our team. The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program. https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627

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