News

CLOSED: Independent Contractor – SPECIES AT RISK COMMUNITY LIAISON

June 7, 2023

Effective Date 

Immediately 

Summary 

The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) is seeking a community liaison to support CIER and Environment and Climate Change Canada-Canadian Wildlife Services (ECCC-CWS) with the Species at Risk Act Consultation, Cooperation and Accommodation Project (SARA-CCA). The Community Liaison is responsible for supporting Indigenous communities in British Columbia and/or Alberta on work related to providing direct input to terrestrial species at risk listing and recovery planning.  

Broadly, the Community Liaison will work collaboratively and in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations (including technical staff and Elders/Knowledge Holders) to provide guidance on federally listed terrestrial species at risk, identify and respond to funding opportunities, facilitate connections with ECCC-CWS staff, and support with gathering and sharing appropriate information. 

Position Type 

This posting is for a Species at Risk Community Liaison. The position can be adapted to the candidate’s level of experience and so we are open to engaging both contractors and students, with the potential to engage up to two full time equivalent positions.  

The contractor position ends March 31, 2024 with the possibility of an extension to March 2026.   

The co-op position will start and end in alignment with the candidate’s co-op program. 

While full-time is preferred for both contractors and students, part-time work may be considered. 

This position involves a co-mentorship component where the successful candidate will provide guidance, coaching and advice to CIER and ECCC and will receive the same in turn from CIER and ECCC along with any training needed for the position specific to the Species at Risk Act and its implementation. 

Responsibilities  

  • Outreach to Indigenous communities whose territories and/or reserve lands overlap with federally listed terrestrial species at risk where ECCC-CWS engagement and/or consultation has started to offer assistance with gathering/compiling input for recovery documents and SARA listing consultations.  
  • Scope areas of interest (e.g., mapping Critical Habitat (CH) – biophysical attributes, occurrences, IK, language, threat assessment) and support participating Indigenous communities with gathering information (e.g., technical training, community engagement, equipment, documentation, establishing data sharing agreements, consultation workshops/meetings/formal input with ECCC-CWS). 
  • Facilitate community connections with ECCC-CWS staff to inform/participate in the above areas. 
  • Collaborate with Indigenous communities to support with applications for modest capacity support funding through the SARA-CCA project ($5-15k). For larger scale projects (e.g., multi-year, multi-partner), assist with project design and facilitate connections with ECCC funding program coordinators.  
  • Provide ECCC and CIER with mentorship (e.g., information, advice, and guidance to support them in their roles in the project). 

Roles of CIER and ECCC 

CIER will be responsible for overseeing the management of the Community Liaison(s) (only contractors), which includes: 

  • Weekly virtual check-ins with the CIER Project Manager and other contractors supporting the project to collaborate and share knowledge; 
  • Quarterly check-ins with the CIER Senior Project Manager to discuss progress and performance; 
  • Reviewing and providing feedback on deliverables;  
  • Providing guidance on workplan tasks; and, 
  • For contractors only: Processing contractor invoices.  

ECCC will be responsible for providing a co-mentorship relationship with the Community Liaison(s) (either contractors or students), which includes: 

  • Meeting regularly via Teams with different ECCC-CWS staff supporting key workplan tasks; 
  • Reviewing and providing feedback on deliverables; and, 
  • Providing any training needed for the position specific to the Species at Risk Act and its implementation (e.g., how recovery planning works, funding program processes) 

Students will only be working with ECCC on all aspects but will be invited to attend the virtual weekly check-ins with CIER. 

Working Conditions for Contractors 

Given the virtual nature of this work, the successful candidate must have access to a secure and reliable internet connection and a laptop with fully functional WIFI capability.  A valid class 5 license is required. This role might include travelling to remote communities (when it is safe to do so).   

Working Conditions for Students 

Students must have a secure and reliable internet connection.  A laptop will be provided by ECCC.  

Requirements 

Education and/or Work Experience For professional contractor:  A university degree and/or post-secondary accreditation and/or relevant work experience relating to wildlife or conservation (Biology, Ecology, monitoring, surveying) or relevant social science (public policy, law, etc.) with experience directly relevant to the scope of this position.   For post-secondary co-op student: in an eligible co-op program in a relevant field (see above)  AND/OR  Experience working with or for Indigenous governments and communities to deliver community-driven projects and programs.  
Knowledge A strong understanding of Indigenous histories and current realities, Indigenous Rights, Title, and the duty to consult, environmental issues, policies and laws. Intermediate to advanced proficiency with MS Office applications. Familiarity with data sharing agreements context and development is an asset but can be learned on the job. Familiarity and ability to use Geographic Information System (GIS) and software is an asset but can be learned on the job.  
Skills and Abilities Excellent communication skills, written and verbal – the ability to relay technical information in plain language is an asset. Ability to multi-task with limited supervision. Friendly, optimistic disposition with strong interpersonal skills.  Superior attention to detail and deadlines. Superior analytical and organizational skills with an ability to balance multiple priorities and produce tangible results in a dynamic work environment.  
Nice to Have Fluency in Indigenous language(s). Experience working with google docs, Microsoft Teams, Zoom. Experience chairing or facilitating meetings. Experience with or knowledge of species at risk.  

Who Can Apply? 

Preference will be given to applicants based in British Columbia or Alberta.  Although preference will be given to Indigenous contractors and students (including First Nations, Métis and Inuit), all qualified are encouraged to apply. Applicants are asked to self-identify.  

Compensation 

Co-op Student: Rate of pay is determined by program year and previous experience: Student rates of pay – Effective May 1, 2019 – Canada.ca 

Full-time Experienced Contractor: Annual fees for this contract range from $69,000 to $75,000, inclusive of applicable taxes.   

Any travel costs will be outside of the compensation indicated above and will be pre-approved by CIER or ECCC and reimbursed at the current National Treasury Board rates.  

Deadline for Submission 

​If you are interested in this opportunity, please forward your resume or proposal and a brief cover letter to CIER c/o [email protected] by June 23, 2023. If you do not have access to email you are invited to either fax your resume (866-288-3919) or mail it directly to us at PO Box 26092, RPO Maryland, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3R3. Please note in your cover letter if you are interested in full or part-time work and if you are a student, please also indicate the duration of your co-op term availability (e.g., 8 months)  
 
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.