Job
description
Purpose and General
Description
The Stewards of the Lac La Biche Watershed are an emerging community-based
water stewardship group working in the Athabasca region of Alberta. Stewards of
the Lac La Biche Watershed have a vision of an ecologically healthy watershed
with balanced management approaches that support recreation and traditional
uses, high fish and wildlife values, and
economic prosperity in the region. The
organization is currently directed by an Interim Steering Committee composed of
committed community volunteers and government agency representatives.
Stewards of the Lac La Biche Watershed will work closely with Lac La Biche
County and the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee to develop a
stewardship and outreach program for the area. They will encourage the
implementation of policies & guidelines identified in the Lac La Biche
Watershed Management Plan (2009). Stewards of the Lac La Biche Watershed will also
work closely with the Alberta Lake Management Society and Living Lakes Canada
to share best practices and lessons learned. Thus, the Coordinator position
will provide an exciting opportunity to help create a new model for sustaining
water stewardship work through grassroots initiatives aimed at watershed
planning, monitoring and community engagement.
The Program Coordinator is responsible for implementing and overseeing all
aspects of the program, including water quality and quantity monitoring, outreach
and education, restoration and maintenance, and program administration. The
Coordinator supervises summer staff, but otherwise is the sole employee of this
organization.
Duties and Responsibilities
SCIENCE
• Support lake and beach water quality monitoring
• Support water quantity monitoring
• Implement or recommend additional scientific research on a project basis
• Maintain accurate water science database
• Analyze data
• Complete annual reports
• Disseminate scientific information to decision-makers and the public
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
• Facilitate community conversations about the watershed, its functions and
sensitivities
• Organize watershed planning workshops for diverse stakeholder groups
• Work with stakeholders to seek watershed governance solutions for the Lac La
Biche watershed
• Work with local governments to implement the non-regulatory recommendations
in the Watershed Management Plan
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
• Conduct education programs with school-aged youth
• Write a monthly column and education articles in the local newspaper
• Recruit and train volunteers for citizen science projects
• Communicate with the public through e-newsletters, website, and social media
• Educate homeowners and visitors about good shoreline practices, green boating
practices, and how to prevent the spread of invasive species.
• Recruit membership from among Lac La Biche’s stakeholders
MANAGEMENT
• Administer the program’s grants, including grant writing and reporting
• Manage the program’s budget
• Organize monthly meetings of the Steering Committee
• Engage with the Steering Committee to implement the work plan and develop its
strategic direction
• Represent the organization to the media, local government, community groups,
regional stewardship groups and planning committees
• Attend trainings and conferences in order to increase capacity of the
organization
• Move the Friends of Lac La Biche toward becoming an independent society
• Supervise summer interns
Minium
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies,
Environmental Education, Watershed Management, Natural Resource Management or
related field
• Field experience in the natural resource sciences
• Willingness and ability to conduct field work on land and water
• At least two years work experience in a leadership position
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to communicate positively and effectively with people of diverse
backgrounds and interests
• Highly self-motivated and able to work without supervision
• Highly organized and competent at managing a budget
Additional Desired Qualifications
• Experience working for an NGO
• Experience in non-profit management and administration
• Training in group facilitation
• Familiarity with watershed governance models throughout Canada
• Experience and or training in water quality monitoring
• Budget management experience
How
to apply
TO APPLY:
Address your cover letter to “Interim Steering Committee: Stewards of the
Lac La Biche Watershed”
To apply please send
a cover letter and your resume electronically (.doc or pdf only) to kirsten
(at) livinglakes.ca,
Or drop off in person at Lac La Biche County offices.