Part-time Job Posting
About the Ecology Action Centre:
Since 1971, the Ecology Action Centre has been working at the local, regional, national and more recently, international level to build a healthier and more sustainable world. While all of our work is connected to Nova Scotia, we draw inspiration from many places. We work closely with communities as well as social and natural scientists and make strong use of science in communicating our message. Our areas of focus include Built Environment, Marine, Coastal and Water, Wilderness, Food, Transportation and Energy.
Project Overview:
The Ecology Action Centre’s Bird Conservation Committee is seeking an individual to lead two distinct projects which share the common goal of reducing the number of birds injured or killed by free-roaming cats. The ‘Reducing Bird Mortality’ project, which is funded by the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP), has a provincial-level focus that will work on establishing and strengthening partnerships with vets, not-for-profit organizations, and animal welfare groups, with a focus to highlight the science on the issue of cats and birds. This project aims to impact policy change and build a strong and enduring program with national potential. The project will galvanize partners to work with their clients and/or members to encourage them to reduce the pressures that free-roaming cats put on birds province-wide.
The ‘Safe in the City’ project, which is funded by EcoAction Community Funding Program, has a community-level, behaviour-change focus and will engage local cat owners and community members, and veterinarians in a variety of ways (workshops, bird walks, community driven activities) to help reduce the threats that free roaming cats pose to urban and backyard birds. The main objective of this project will be to pilot a community engagement approach in 2 neighbourhoods. We will also work with urban vets and local cat shelters to strengthen conservation partnerships to address local threats that free roaming cats pose to habitats, birds, and other wildlife. The main solution, keeping cats indoors, provides both benefits to cats and birds.
Overview of Position:
The Bird Conservation Outreach Coordinator will be part of a team of 3 staff/contractors that will work collaboratively to ensure the success of these two projects. The Outreach Coordinator’s focus will be on precise deliverables at the local/community level as well as support for the provincial outreach and engagement of vets, non profits, and animal welfare organizations. The position reports to the EAC’s three staff directors and takes guidance and direction from a volunteer committee which oversees the projects. The position requires the ability to work with individuals and groups with differing viewpoints and to help animal welfare organizations and naturalist and birding organizations find common ground.
Specific Responsibilities:
The Outreach Coordinator will develop, conduct and oversee outreach and engagement for both projects with greater emphasis on the urban Safe in the City project. This position will be responsible for:
recruiting community volunteers (community champions, focus group participants, survey participants, cat-cam volunteers)
developing structure and content for the community workshops and conducting community focus groups
generating interest in urban bird walks
establishing pledges with cat owners who agree to reduce the threat their cats pose to urban birds and wildlife,
developing provincial and local partnership recruitment strategy
recruiting and working with local veterinarians as project supporters
working collaboratively with the project manager, and lead scientific advisor in addition to the volunteer driven Bird Conservation Committee
supporting the overall work of the two projects and the overall work of the Ecology Action Centre
other duties as required
Required Experience:
community engagement and outreach expertise
demonstrated ability to develop multi-stakeholder relationships and networks
public relations, communication and social marketing experience
media savvy, with success in developing effective media and/or social marketing campaigns
science background (education or work experience)
3-5 years of experience working or volunteering with environmental or animal welfare groups
Required Skills:
strong presentation and facilitation skills
ability to navigate and mediate complex and sensitive issues
ability to work independently
time management and priority setting
ability to work to deadline
Required Assets / Qualities:
excellent people skills
adaptable and flexible approach
consensus driven with an ability to raise controversial topics in an effective manner
willing to work flexible hours for evening or weekend events (occasionally)
Desirable:
valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle
Terms of Employment: Early August 2015 – March 31, 2016. 20-25 hours per week at $20.75 per hour.
Location: This position will be based at EAC’s Halifax office.
TO APPLY:
Please email a cover letter and resume (including contact information for two references) to Meredith Flannery, Bird Project Coordinator:
mflannery@ecologyaction.ca
Please submit your application in the form of a pdf document with required elements in the following order: cover letter, resume, references.
DUE DATE: Tuesday July 28th, midnight
We thank all applicants for their time and interest, however only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
The Ecology Action Centre is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, First Nations, and persons with disabilities. Diversity is a stated value of the Ecology Action Centre. Moreover, diversity in the EAC community is a strength that must be cultivated. It is the responsibility of every employee of EAC to foster a culture that embraces and promotes diversity. The Centre welcomes new members and volunteers: http://www.ecologyaction.ca