Application Deadline: December 11, 2015

Job Posting:

Ecology North is looking for a dynamic, and creative individual who is passionate about the environment to join our team. The successful candidate will contribute to diverse environmental initiatives in the realms of local food production, solid waste management and public education. The project officer needs to be a self-starter, motivated and highly productive, with skills in the environmental science field and a good handle on technology.

The Organization:

Ecology North is a charitable, non-profit organization that was formed in 1971 to support sound environmental decision-making on an individual, community and regional level. Ecology North has grown from a volunteer driven organization to one that includes eight staff members with two offices – one in Yellowknife and one in Hay River. Ecology North’s mission is to bring people and knowledge together for a healthy northern environment.

Job Description: Prime Functions

The Project officer will hold a very important position within Ecology North, both as a generalist and as a communications specialist. Specific skills and knowledge in the fields of agriculture, local food production, climate change and waste reduction (compost, recycling, water, or waste management) will be beneficial. Many Ecology North projects involve the use of video and audio recordings. Experience creating, editing and managing audio and video files as well as using web based applications like Google Drive and WordPress is important for this role. You’ll also need to have a solid grasp of regular programs like Word and Excel.

Ecology North staff work as a team, but we have five main project streams: water, climate change, waste reduction, local food sustainability and environmental education. The project officer will be required to help out in all fields when needed.

You will also be working on the ground breaking territory-wide sustainability initiative known as Building Localized Economies. This project seeks to use locally developed discussion and decision making software to crowdsource ideas to build a sustainable and diverse NWT economy.

This project will require creativity, innovation, independent thought, and also an understanding of media, promotion, and how to capture a population’s imagination and thoughts. Knowledge of web design would be beneficial, but not required. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and computer skills.

Also central to the role is an interest in identifying new possibilities for projects and a willingness to lead them. If you like the idea of building your own job and taking responsibility for innovative projects, this position is for you.

Qualifications Required:

Education:

A university degree related to environmental studies, science or education or equivalent experience or a university degree related to communications, journalism or equivalent experience.

Knowledge and Skills:

The successful candidate must have a deep understanding of environmental issues and how they relate to the NWT at the regional, territorial, federal and global level;
Be conversant on NWT environmental legislations and regulations;
Have specific knowledge and skills in the fields of:
waste reduction;
agricultural production and traditional harvesting practices; and
climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The successful candidate will be required to manage projects, understand budgets and manage time efficiently;
The successful candidate should have the skills and aptitude to be Ecology North’s technology troubleshooter (ie. fix and update our computers);

An understanding of the tools non-profit organization can use to effect individual, societal or governmental change;
A successful track record of planning, organizing, carrying out and evaluating public workshops and events;
Excellent writing skills are a requirement of this position, the job will frequently involve writing proposals, reports and communications materials;
Excellent computer literacy skills, including word processing and spreadsheets;

A valid drivers license is an asset but not required

Experience:

Experience in video and audio editing/filmmaking would be an asset;
Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and oral; and
Experience working on community projects with partners and working in Northern communities other than Yellowknife

Aptitudes:

Interest in learning more about the environment is crucial to this position. You are not required or expected to know everything about everything, but you must be open and excited about learning;
Enjoy working with a wide variety of people, including seniors and children;
Be able to work occasional evening and weekend hours with notice;
Occasional travel out of Yellowknife will be a requirement of the position; and
Must be willing to conduct general office administration as required.

Performance Criteria:

Development of strong working relationships with all relevant organizations, staff and Board;

Creativity, innovation and passion for your work;
Successfully developing project concepts, forming partnerships and securing funding;
Consistently meet and exceed project requirements set out in contracts and contribution agreements; and
Successfully carrying out the prime functions of the job description.

Educational Background and Experience:

A university or college degree in environmental education (or a related field) and at least two years of work experience and/or a combination of education and experience.

Term of Employment:

This position is to be a full-time contract for three four months with anticipated extension, depending on the successful generation of additional funding sources. Salary is based on a full-time rate of

$54,000 to $65,000 per year commensurate with the selected candidate’s experience. Health benefits and leave allocations are included as specified in the Ecology North personnel policy.

Anticipated start date: January 2016, or as soon thereafter as possible.

This position is based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

At the final stage of screening, after interviews but prior to signing a contract, all potential candidate(s) will be required to produce a criminal records check to ensure that no prior conviction may present an impediment to working with vulnerable people. Staff are required to submit an updated criminal records check annually.

Reporting:

This position reports to the Executive Director of Ecology North.

Application Process:

Please submit your cover letter and resume no later than midnight, MST on Friday December 11th, 2015, either by e-mail or in person to:

Craig Scott, Executive Director, Ecology North
Craig@ecologynorth.ca
867-873-6019

5013 51st Street, Yellowknife NT, X1A 1S5

If an e-mail application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation of receipt. Please contact Craig Scott by phone if receipt of your submission is not confirmed within 12 hours. All questions related to this posting can be directed to Craig Scott by phone or e-mail.

To learn more about Ecology North, please visit http://www.ecologynorth.ca