Environment Coordinator

Environment Coordinator

Location:  Provincial Head Office in Edmonton, AB

Position Status:  Full Time (40 hrs per week)

Closing Date:  March 6, 2023.

The Organization

Since its inception in 1928, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has governed the Métis within Alberta. The MNA is led by a democratically elected Provincial Council, comprised of a Provincial President, a Vice-President, and six regional Presidents and Vice-Presidents. This Council works toward the mandate of the MNA, supporting practices of transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness for Métis Albertans in governments’ policy and decision-making processes. The MNA promotes and facilitates the advancement of Métis people through self-reliance, self-determination, and self-government. For more information about the MNA, visit http://www.albertametis.com.

The Opportunity

The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is recruiting for a full-time Environment Coordinator focusing on fish and fish habitat monitoring and conservation. This position will be based in the Provincial Head Office in Edmonton. Reporting to the Environment Manager and working in support of a passionate and dedicated team of professionals in the MNA’s Environment and Climate Change department. The successful candidate will support the MNA’s efforts to design and undertake environmental initiatives and programs aimed at fulfilling the department’s following pillars:

• Protection of Métis tradition and culture
• Reducing impacts on the environment
• Community driven involvement

Key Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the Environment Manager, the successful candidate will be required to provide support to the MNA Environment and Climate Change department’s projects and initiatives, with a primary focus on fish and fish habitat monitoring and conservation.  The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing fish monitoring and conservation programs aimed at addressing MNA citizen fish and water quality related concerns.  An ideal candidate will have an understanding and experience in water quality monitoring, fishing, conducting field programs, community-based monitoring, and experience working with Indigenous communities.

Duties required of this position:

• Develop and implement research and monitoring programs to investigate aquatic and fish related concerns held by MNA Citizens.
• Develop and implement programs to provide MNA Citizens opportunities to participate in fish and aquatic monitoring or conservation, including those utilizing community-based monitoring methods and Métis traditional ecological knowledge.
• Support community engagement activities to provide education and awareness and/or to obtain citizen input and feedback on environmental issues, including those related to fish and fish habitat in Alberta.
• Collect, store, analyze, and report on data from Citizen engagements, field projects, and surveys.
• Participate in meetings, committees, and technical working groups to provide technical expertise.
• Communicate fish and aquatic program plans, updates, results, and findings to MNA Citizens and the public through in-person and digital platforms (e.g., web content, phone calls, emails, presentations, tradeshow booths, newsletters)
• Support Environment and Climate Change activities, including assisting in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and priorities of the MNA.
• Support Environment and Climate Change project field activities, including environmental monitoring, site visits, and community events.
• Develop and maintain constructive working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including executives, corporate staff, management, employees, and business and community partners.
• Maintain awareness of government policies and programs related to wildlife in Alberta, including providing updates to senior management and making recommendations as to actionable steps to be taken to best meet the needs of the Métis Nation.
• Other duties as required.

Skills & Competencies

The Environment Coordinator must be a team player who is able to work with staff and Citizens across the province, understand environmental management and monitoring, and have demonstrated knowledge of aquatic ecosystems with specialties in fish ecology and/or fish habitat and experience with monitoring activities.  Other required knowledge, skills and competencies include:

• Experience in the design, coordination, and delivery of monitoring projects, preferably fish and/or aquatic monitoring.
• Experience with community-based monitoring and working with Indigenous communities.
• Strong technical skills and knowledge relating to fish species habitat requirements, fish habitat assessment and mapping, fish population inventory, effects assessment, and mitigation or offset planning.
• Experience with benthic invertebrate sampling.
• Knowledge of relevant provincial and federal acts, regulations, policies, and procedures, (e.g., the Fisheries Alberta Act and regulations, Federal Fisheries Act, Alberta Public Lands Act and regulations, Alberta OH&S Act and regulations) including knowledge and experience with research permitting.
• Experience using geospatial software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS) for data editing, data analysis, and map creation is an asset.
• Experience with ArcGIS Online platform and associated products (e.g., Story Maps, Collector, Survey 123, Field Maps) is an asset.
• A proven ability to deal with a high volume of work in a complex environment with multiple demands and critical timelines.
• Ability to remain organized, multi-task, and manage time effectively under tight and competing deadlines.
• Exemplary communication skills, writing capability, presenting capability, and a proven ability to produce quality work.
• Strong cultural and political sensitivity and awareness, with the ability to deal with confidential information.
• Able to interact professionally with people at all levels of an organization and with multiple external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships.
• Ability to work with a team or independently.
• Ability to operate a wide range of equipment and machinery including but not limited to: OHV’s, snowmobiles, and 4X4 trucks.
• Knowledge and/or experience working in government/on government policies is an asset.
• Knowledge of Métis history, culture, and people is an asset.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Conservation Sciences, Ecology, Resource Management, or a related field.
• Degree in or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2 years related work experience.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work a regular schedule of Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm, as well as occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to travel within Alberta. Additional, less frequent, out-of-province travel may also occur, with advanced notice.
• Must have a valid class 5 driver’s license and an operational vehicle.

Please apply online at http://albertametis.com/careers/

The Métis Nation of Alberta thanks all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.