Conservation Planning

Position: Conservation Planner
Organization: PlanIt North Inc.
Location: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Qualified candidates living anywhere in Canada who live or are willing to relocate to NWT are welcome to apply.

About the Opportunity

PlanIt North is searching for a highly motivated Conservation Planner to work at our Yellowknife office.

We work closely with community, regional and Indigenous governments and comanagement boards in the NWT to assist in collective and complex decision-making regarding lands and waters, research, and  stewardship. This includes managing a wide variety of projects related to strategic and operational planning, program development, stewardship and monitoring, evaluation, regulatory processes, policy, and more.

In recent years we have collaborated with our clients to:

• Support community-driven planning processes, including planning for strategic organizational development, land use, and human resources, as well as supporting and convening community and regional government-led program planning processes, such as management and operational planning.
• Participate in regulatory processes, including land and water permitting and environmental assessments wherein our clients typically hold Indigenous rights and title to affected lands and are responding to a proponent’s application.
• Provide services in proposal writing, project planning, implementation, management and reporting to fund and finance priority projects for clients, as well as managing project budgets and reporting.
• Facilitate program development, such as Indigenous Guardians, conservation-related, and monitoring and stewardship programs.
• Communicate technical research and monitoring results in plain language and facilitate dialogue to interpret research results cross-culturally.

Job Description

The successful candidate will take on the role of Conservation Planner, working collaboratively within project teams and mentored by other senior staff and subcontractors and/or mentoring other team members, depending on level of experience. The Conservation Planner will have a diverse set of responsibilities and will be expected to respond and adapt to project and community-specific needs.

Responsibilities will generally include the following:

• Securing projects by developing detailed project plans, and proposals.
• Collaborating in project teams, comprised of PlanIt North staff and external partners with strong content expertise.
• Providing coordination to a variety of conservation and related projects, including planning, organizing, and facilitating meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Ensuring projects are delivered to a high standard, within scope, and on time.
• Working closely with our clients to develop and implement projects that meet their specific objectives, adopting creative and highly collaborative approaches that ensure in-depth community engagement and, when possible, project implementation alongside an actively involved community lead.

Though our projects at PlanIt North are diverse, the successful applicant will initially be working on projects with clients to support ongoing conservation and stewardship processes, including protected and conserved area planning and implementation, stewardship and monitoring program planning, and related processes.

About You

You hold a graduate degree and/or a combination of professional experience and education in the fields of conservation, environmental science/studies, planning or related experiences and backgrounds.

You have experience working in a professional setting where you have demonstrated reliability and excellent work quality.

You can describe substantial cross-cultural professional experiences, which may include experience working with Indigenous communities in Canada. You are independent, highly motivated, and approach your work with dedication, energy and enthusiasm.

You are creative and innovative in your approaches, accountable for your work, and can usher projects to completion with little oversight. Experience as a consultant is an asset.

You are flexible, adaptable, possess a sense of adventure and curiosity, and are comfortable travelling to remote communities, including long drives, small planes and “B&B” style accommodations.

Finally, on your application and CV, you can detail and highlight some or all of the strengths and qualifications listed below as they fit your own work experience and expertise.

Process and general strengths

• Excellent writing skills. An ability to write succinctly and clearly, and a demonstrated ability to structure complex ideas into clear narratives. Writing samples will be requested and short-listed candidates will be asked to participate in a writing exercise as part of the application process.
• Strong facilitation skills. Experience facilitating a diversity of groups, preferably in cross-cultural environments.
• Oral communication. A proven ability to share complex ideas in plain language terms and avoiding jargon.
• Time Management. The ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines, triaging according to relevant criteria and delegating as necessary, and to handle pressures and thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong computer skills. A high proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat and related programs, including web-based services; highly proficient typing skills; and the ability to independently troubleshoot basic software issues.
• Exceptional research skills. Proven experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research with a demonstrated ability to apply research skills to a variety of topics.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills. You are at ease with people and, in turn, able to make others feel at ease; you work well with others and foster and maintain effective working relationships; you are an active listener and work with humility.
• Financial management. Experience developing and reporting on complex budgets. You are able to not only manage projects internally but also help clients work within available funding pots.

Content expertise

Strong content expertise in at least one of the following areas (a mix of content expertise will be preferred):

• Conservation and/or environmental science (any specialty),
• Protected Areas or land use planning,
• Stewardship and monitoring (could include training in Guardians programs, data gathering, data analysis, or similar),
• Eco- and/or cultural tourism planning,
• Human resources, training, and/or program development.

Experience developing management or operational plans for conservation or stewardship programs.

Experience running a for-profit or non-profit organization, and a strong understanding of the parameters needed for a conservation program to succeed (asset).

Familiarity with the NWT socio-economic landscape and funding processes (asset).

Additional asset qualifications

• Class five drivers license (preferred) or willingness to obtain one.
• Certificates or coursework in related skills, such as facilitation, negotiation, project management etc.
• Professional planning certification, or willingness to work to become certified.

About Us

PlanIt North is a Northern firm that works with clients – primarily in the Northwest Territories and Yukon – to build healthy, vibrant communities. We are a valuesbased company striving to create enabling work environments that both meet direct project objectives and support meaningful involvement of those who will be implementing plans in the long-term. We work to support positive change and make a difference. 

We are a small team that works collaboratively and openly, and are committed to ensuring a positive and supportive work environment. We provide substantial flexibility to ensure working environments that are healthy for individuals and families, and we provide a comprehensive benefits package and support for continued professional development. We ensure that our staff are constantly challenged and supported in their working environments by partnering with several independent northern consultants as well as firms elsewhere in Canada to create strong and supportive teams.

You will have substantial opportunity to contribute to our small consultancy, as well as lead and benefit from the company’s development over time.

For applicants considering this opportunity from away, Yellowknife is a remarkable city – it is a culturally diverse, artistically active, young community with all the amenities of a capital city and unique access to wilderness. Those who appreciate nature and the outdoors, and particularly those who know how to make the most of a winter city, are likely to thrive here. Yellowknife’s “midnight sun” summer is also a unique experience with plenty of dry, warm and sunny days. For candidates already based in the NWT, remote work situations will be considered.

How to Apply

Visit our website (planitnorth.ca) for more information, and submit your resume and cover letter in PDF format to our Business Manager, Ben Russo, at work@planitnorth.ca .

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Preference will be given to Indigenous candidates.

Application Deadline – Applications will be reviewed as they are received; applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be accepted until October 28, 2024, or until the position is filled.

Compensation

Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience.
Approximate starting salary ranges:
Intermediate: $38.00–53.00 /hr ($74,000103,549/yr)
Senior: $48.00–70.00/hr ($94,000–137,000/yr)