Conservation Specialist

The Alberta Wilderness Association seeks a Conservation Specialist in Calgary, AB, to advocate for environmental protection and sustainability. Responsibilities include critical analysis, public awareness, fostering relationships, and developing outreach plans. The role requires strong communication skills and teamwork, reporting to the Executive Director. The position is full-time, permanent, with three weeks of paid vacation in the first year. Flexibility and adaptability are essential due to varying daily challenges.
Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) Conservation Specialists work to achieve the association’s vision, advocating for scientifically supported outcomes to address cumulative human impacts to our wilderness landscapes. The position encompasses a diverse range of activities in environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability and Conservation Specialists must demonstrate an ability to be focused and must be able to review and apply research. As representatives of the association, the work of Conservation Specialists must have a public face, which necessitates strong science-based and interpersonal written and oral communication skills.

AWA Conservation Specialists are directly responsible to the Executive Director and work as a team benefitting from each other’s strengths. Every day as a Conservation Specialist promises to be different, bringing new challenges and demanding flexibly and the ability to adapt and respond to changing priorities.

Hours: Full time

Compensation: Based on experience

Status: Permanent

Vacation: 3 weeks (paid) in first year

Specific roles and responsibilities include:
• critical analysis and fluent communication (written, oral) of specialists’ assigned areas of responsibility, in a manner that is grounded in science and backed by AWA’s historical knowledge
• increasing public awareness of conservation issues
• fostering working relationships and regular communications with members and supporters as well as the public, other environmental groups and organizations, Indigenous communities, corporate representatives, media representatives, civil servants and elected representatives
• supporting AWA’s presence within the community by attending and hosting events, such as AWA’s talks and hikes programs
• developing and implementing science-based outreach and educational plans for their areas
• reporting to the Executive Director on a routine basis about work in progress; and
• other related duties that arise including preparing for meetings and events; assistance with day-to-day maintenance of the Hillhurst Cottage School and related equipment and other specific tasks as requested

The work is achieved by:
• developing a comprehensive scientific and socio-political knowledge base through research, analysis, reaching out to local communities and experts. Sharing knowledge and information with other staff members and adding notes and materials to AWA’s Resource Centre in a timely manner
• developing networks and working relationships with other experts and knowledgeable colleagues, including researchers, AWA volunteers, ENGO colleagues, civil servants, and local experts
• oral and written forms of communication of conservation issues, including and not limited to writing fact sheets, briefing notes, news releases, and articles for AWA’s Wild Lands Advocate journal; maintaining and developing related website pages; networking with members, the public, and stakeholders; attending and presenting at meetings and open houses
• working as part of the AWA team. Each team member will be able to mentor others based on their expertise and the specific skills they bring to the team and will assist successful and ongoing development. Learning from colleagues and understanding the importance of the issues they work on and ways each specialist supports each other is critical.
• developing strategies, tactics and plans to achieve conservation outcomes; some examples include news releases, action alerts, briefing notes, letters, and follow up letters
• staying up to date on the current state of affairs on conservation areas of focus; and
• cultivating the cycle of advocacy and communication with AWA members and supporters by developing, planning, implementing, reviewing and adapting on an ongoing basis

Qualifications:

· Professional conduct with knowledge of current conservation concerns and a demonstrated willingness to invest in personal development and expertise

· Graduate of an accredited post-secondary institution with a related degree(s)

· Two to three years of demonstrated successful experience in a related field of conservation

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· Self-starter with excellent organizational and time-management skills

· Experience in community outreach and education

· Demonstrated ability in program development and strategic campaign planning

· Proficient in teamwork

· Ability to travel and work flexible hours; must have a valid driver’s license.

Assets include:

· Post graduate degree(s) in a related field of study

· Experience working in the non-profit sector

· Knowledge about wildlife conservation, land-use planning

· Second language ability

· GIS mapping skills

This position works from the AWA office, in NW Calgary, daily. Our regular hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.

How to apply:

· To apply, email cover letter and resume (as one PDF) to: awaed@abwild.ca with the subject line "Conservation position". Please include where you saw the job advertised.

· Start date is as soon as possible. We reserve the right to interview and hire for this position immediately but otherwise applications will close on Sunday, March 23, 2025, 23:59 MT.

· While we greatly appreciate your interest in working with us, only those candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada (citizens and permanent residents) may be considered for this position.

· All candidates will be contacted to inform them of the status of their application.