Director, Watershed Strategies & Climate Change

As a community-based natural resource management agency, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority envisions a healthy and vibrant natural environment with shared greenspace and clean water for all.

NPCA’s work supports the conservation, enhancement, and sustainability of healthy watersheds with programs and services that focus on drinking water source protection, flood and hazard management, endangered species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, education, and land management.

NPCA is the caretaker of 41 conservation areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery

The Opportunity

The Director, Watershed Strategies and Climate Change, leads an interdisciplinary team of professional and technical specialists to effectively undertake programs and partnerships to advance NPCA’s Hazard Management role, watershed resource management, and municipal services. A key aspect of this role is to advance applied science and innovation in support of regional solutions to complex environmental issues and climate impacts across Niagara Peninsula Watershed.

Pursuant to the Conservation Authority Act and Associated Regulations, the Director is responsible for NPCA’s Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy and associated programs; regulation mapping, flood hazard mapping, shoreline hazard resilience plans, climate change initiatives, Land Securement and land management planning, and watershed monitoring and restoration activities. This position also oversees NPCA’s Public Advisory Committee and the Bi-National Niagara River Remedial Action Program.

As a senior leader, this role works closely with the Director of Planning and Development to provide strategic advice to the CAO and Board on corporate strategic initiatives required by legislation as well as matters relating to complex legal claims associated with planning and regulatory matters (S. 28).

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Providing departmental leadership to the Watershed Strategies & Climate Change team fostering a collaborative, innovative, high performing team while maintaining positive staff engagement and morale
• Being a steward and role model for outstanding corporate culture, exemplary leadership and high standards of customer service
• Building long-term strategic relationships with senior stakeholders to advance NPCA’s watershed mandate and collaboration around regional sustainability initiatives
• Ensuring NPCA remains at the forefront of innovative science and tools in watershed strategies, climate change, and sustainability in resource management and advancing a positive reputational image of NPCA as a science broker for regional solutions.
• Developing, implementing and maintaining programs that fulfil the objectives of the Watershed Resource Management Strategy and associated programs to support the Authority’s commitment to being the trusted source of environmental knowledge and scientific information regarding watershed conditions.
• Executing corporate strategies and tactical plans for business alignment, change management, continuous improvement and operational efficiencies to advance organizational excellence.
• Leading and managing long-term Departmental budget and business planning with an objective to diversify revenues
• Developing policies, procedures and standards aligned with corporate strategies and legislative requirements
• Overseeing the execution of large-scale, multi-partner complex initiatives
• Ensuring the NPCA delivers on provincially mandated programs and services related to natural hazard management including floodplain mapping, shoreline floodplain and erosion hazard mapping, shoreline management plans and the management of natural hazards
• Building and fostering a community of support and collaboration for undertaking and delivering coordinated science and climate impact management actions; and encouraging a positive reputational image of NPCA as science broker to assist municipalities, federal and provincial agencies
• Leading Municipal Service Level Agreements related to category 2 and 3 services and other multi-agency initiatives
• Representing the CAO at strategic meetings and think-tanks to support government relations and stakeholder engagement.
• Brokering strategic collaboration and partnerships to advance NPCA’s Strategic goals.

What you Bring

• Graduate Degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Engineering, Geography, or a related discipline. Master degree, Management training and professional accreditation in good standing an asset.
• Fifteen (15) years’ experience implementing and executing watershed management principles, process and best practices related to climate change and natural resources, including ten (10) years’ progressively more challenging experience at a senior level in public, non-profit, and/or private sector operations.
• Strategic mindset, political acuity, and roll-up-your sleeves attitude with a common-sense approach to raise the bar.
• Familiarization with relevant legislation such as, but not limited to Conservation Authorities Act, Clean Water Act, Niagara Escarpment Plan, Planning Act
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with the ability to communicate complex concepts and present to large audiences.
• Strong negotiation and conflict management skills with the ability to collaborate and uncover win-win solutions
• Exceptional people management skills and the ability to prioritize workloads
• Strong relationship building and business development skills and the ability to collaborate with partners
  to develop and maintain excellent stakeholder and client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead public consultation, facilitate meetings and negotiate contentious issues by
  employing effective communication with stakeholder groups, Board members, politicians, and other
  partners.
• Valid Ontario “G” License in good standing
• Advanced commitment to performing job compliance with the highest ethical standards.

What We Offer You

• An annual salary starting at $141, 805 (35 hours/week – 2024 rate)
• Comprehensive benefits including health and dental and access to the Employee Assistance Program
• A Health Care Spending Account, allowing you to use your benefits where you need them
• Enrollment in the OMERS pension plan
• Free access to all the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Areas
• An opportunity to make a difference as part of a highly engaged and passionate team of professionals

Home Base Location: NPCA Main Office (3350 Merrittville Highway, Thorold, ON) with travel within the watershed

Application Deadline: Monday, September 30th, 2024 – 4:00pm

Please apply through the website at: www.npca.ca/about/careers