The Southern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Southern Alberta) is seeking to fill two key positions to work on conservation policy engagement and campaigns with our team in Calgary, Alberta.
As part of the conservation team the two positions will work on planning and implementing projects and campaigns related to parks and public lands in Southern Alberta. There are two full-time (37.5 hours/week) positions available.
CPAWS Southern Alberta is a dynamic and successful, science-based, conservation organization that works to protect Alberta’s parks and wilderness areas and educate and inspire Albertans to get outside and engage in stewardship. We have helped create protected areas in Kananaskis, the Whaleback and the Castle, and have worked to ensure the management of our parks and public lands prioritizes conservation. Most recently we successfully supported Albertans in defending our provincial parks and opposing new coal developments in the Eastern Slopes. We are known for being solutions-oriented and for working collaboratively with government, industry, community groups and other stakeholders as well as with first Nations and Metis governments and grassroots groups, to protect new areas and ensure that legislation and management of parks and public lands prioritize conservation of nature, support reconciliation, and promote sustainable nature-based recreation. We recognize that decolonization and social justice are the future of conservation and commit to a healthy, resilient, wild Alberta for all. If we want to protect Alberta’s landscape, we need to see inclusive conservation efforts and commit to reducing barriers and amplifying diverse voices in conservation.
The Conservation Science and Campaign Engagement positions will be key drivers of CPAWS Southern Alberta’s conservation campaigns and projects. They will have a strong understanding of CPAWS Southern Alberta’s work and work closely with the Executive Director, and CPAWS staff locally and nation-wide to strategically implement our directed conservation work.
The delegation of responsibilities between the two roles will be determined based on the skills and experience of the successful candidates, with the two positions being collectively responsible for the following job duties.
Core Job Duties (required for both positions):
Conservation Programs
- With the Executive Director and conservation team, develop strategic plans, workplans, evaluations, and reporting for the Conservation Department.
- Work with the Executive Director and conservation team to plan and implement large-landscape conservation campaigns and projects.
- Keep up to date on emerging parks and conservation issues in Alberta, including creation of new protected areas, provincial and national parks management, and public land conservation.
- Research and write CPAWS position papers, recommendations documents, campaign plans, reports, and engagement materials to support conservation campaigns.
- Assist with creation and implementation of CPAWS Southern Alberta’s government relations strategies.
- Represent CPAWS and provide recommendations at consultations and stakeholder meetings related to parks and public lands.
- Work with other conservation organizations, grassroots communities, and other groups as well as First Nations governments and Indigenous communities, on collaborative campaigns and projects.
- Engage partners, communities, and the public on parks and public land conservation issues.
- Make presentations to the public and stakeholders.
- Liaise with industry and governments on conservation issues and work.
- Assist with other conservation projects and work as needed.
Fundraising
- Write project specific and general grants and reports to fund conservation work.
- Work with individual donors and businesses as appropriate.
- Support other fundraising initiatives undertaken by the Chapter as appropriate.
Duties split between the two positions depending on the individual skillsets. Applicants do not need to have all relevant skills; successful candidates will be chosen to have complementary skills to cover all job duties listed below.
Science and Policy
- Read, listen to, and summarize relevant scientific literature and knowledge, to apply western and Indigenous science to the development of CPAWS conservation campaigns and projects.
- Analyze relevant public policy documents to inform CPAWS conservation campaigns and projects.
- Create maps and conduct spatial analyses using ArcGIS Desktop and/or Pro and ArcGIS Online to help understand and communicate conservation and land-use issues for public and internal use.
- Be proficient in the use of Esri products, able to conduct analyses without supervision, and have data research skills.
Conservation Communications and Engagement
- Implement strategic outreach to the public, stakeholders, and businesses on parks and conservation issues and CPAWS’ projects.
- Make presentations to the public and stakeholders on CPAWS’ parks and conservation work.
- Work with CPAWS education and communications staff to increase public awareness of various conservation issues through media, social media, outreach etc.
- Write articles for the Chapter and other CPAWS newsletters or publications.
- Work with communications team on the development of materials for the CPAWS outreach table at community events.
- Write media releases and engage media on conservation issues
Department Administration
- Supervise contractors, interns, and volunteers in the conservation department, as assigned by the Executive Director.
- Manage grant budgets and financial reporting for the conservation department, as assigned by the Executive Director.
Both positions require the following qualifications:
- Strong understanding of conservation in Alberta and motivation to learn about new and emerging issues and approaches.
- Self-motivated and able to work autonomously, take initiative, and make strategic decisions, in consultation with other team members.
- Commitment to implementation of CPAWS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and strategies and to applying principles of reconciliation in all work.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present and convey complex science and policy concepts clearly and coherently.
- Skilled in engagement with public and stakeholders.
- Highly organized, creative, able to multitask and meet deadlines.
- Post-secondary degree in environmental science, ecology, geography, political science, communications, or a related field and/or have a minimum of 2 years’ work experience in environmental science, ecology, geography, land-use, and/or influencing public policy.
Qualifications split between the two positions depending on the individual skillsets. Applicants do not need to have all relevant skills; successful candidates will be chosen to have complementary skills to cover all qualifications listed below.
- Possess strong technical knowledge of conservation ecology and policy.
- Proficiency in ArcGIS.
- Experience in campaign planning and execution.
- Experience working with First Nations and Metis communities.
- Ability to strategically engage all levels of government in CPAWS conservation work.
Work hours will be mutually agreed upon with the possibility to work both in the office and at home, occasional evening and weekend work may be required (~1-2 days/month). Preferably the successful candidate would live in or be willing to relocate to Calgary or area; however other locations in Southern Alberta would be considered. The ability to travel and provide one’s own transportation is an asset for this position.
Salary: $53,000-60,000 depending on experience and allocation of job duties
Application Process
Send cover letter explaining how your experiences and skills match this position and resume to [email protected] by November 21, 2022.
The organization’s programs and employment are open to all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability in any of its policies or programs. We offer a fun, team-based environment, competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package.
Additional information concerning us can be found on our website.