Employment Opportunity - Climate Change Adaptation Planner (Filled)

Project Background

The City of Saint John, New Brunswick is challenged by ongoing social and environmental inequity whereby areas the most severe poverty rates in Canada are those in closest proximity to both highly vulnerable coastal areas and the region's commercial and economic core. In response to these challenges, ACAP Saint John has built upon its role as a leading environmental incubator in Atlantic Canada to secure support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities [FCM] to develop a design-focused Climate Change Adaptation Feasibility Study for the three urban neighbourhoods of Saint John, as well as to create a city-wide Climate Change Adaption Plan. Working in a community defined by its oceans and waterways, ACAP Saint John’s work will pursue innovative adaptations to climate change, to identify best practices for stormwater management and to execute infrastructure investments that will enable community members to participate in bringing positive change to our shared environmental future.

Job Description

Thanks to this exciting new initiative, ACAP Saint John is seeking an energetic, self-motivated individual to join our team! The ideal candidate would be flexible in their working schedule, be able to work within a team, have excellent communication skills and be highly organized. The primary role of the Climate Change Adaptation Planner would be to lead the development of the design-focused Climate Change Adaptation Feasibility Study and a municipal Climate Change Adaptation Plan to decrease vulnerability and increase community resiliency to changing climate conditions and extreme weather. Research, analysis, management, and dissemination of data and information to assist in developing the Adaptation Plan will include, but not be limited to:

• Understanding other relevant climate adaptation plans and strategies;

• Seeking appropriate technical expertise when needed;

• Assessing regional and local vulnerabilities and risks;

• Evaluating which actions have the greatest potential to effectively reduce risk;

• Identifying priorities, timing considerations and resource needs;

• Considering roles and responsibilities for implementation,

• Act as a regional resource to municipalities and provide technical support regarding risks, vulnerabilities, and adaptation/mitigation actions and programs;

• Develop new partnerships with academic, government and private sector organizations and agencies to collect, organize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to the climate change impacts and adaptation;

• Seek funding/project opportunities and develop funding and grant proposals as required to support the development and implementation of the Adaptation Plan;

• Assist with development and implementation of communication plans to provide information to the community regarding the Adaptation Plan; and,

• Keep current on climate change and energy related Provincial and Federal legislation, policies, and programs and the effect on regional and municipal adaptation and mitigation activities.

ACAP Saint John is open and collaborative. The prospective Climate Change Adaptation Planner must work effectively and respectfully, continually enhancing the work of project partners, ACAP Saint John staff, and community stakeholders. The chosen candidate will bring their skills and expertise to bear on the project, developing innovative responses to the city’s most vexing challenges and pushing for creative thinking. Together with ACAP Saint John staff, project partners, and community stakeholders, we will work to create unique design solutions that generate systemic and meaningful change for Saint John’s environment. The work will also be dynamic, and could include elements of ACAP Saint John's on-going projects and the selected candidate will also support on-going organizational social media initiatives.

Qualifications

• An accredited post-secondary degree or diploma in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, or a related field;

• Experience with Geographic Information System [GIS] software;

• Interest, and at least some formal training, in environmental programs and/or watershed management;

• Ability to safely work outdoors in all weather conditions;

• Positive attitude and ability to work closely and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and external stakeholders; and a,

• Motivated self-starter who is able to work independently.

Assets

• Knowledge of and passion for the issues and challenges facing non-profit organizations;

• Experience with image manipulation, graphics design or rendering;

• Strong writing and reporting skills, including proposal writing and record-keeping;

• Professional or academic knowledge of the natural environment and/or physical geography of Atlantic Canada;

• Fluency in both French and English;

• Passion for environmental stewardship, conservation and restoration; and,

• Communications skills for interaction with community volunteers of all demographic backgrounds.

Additional Information

The advertised position is for a full-time position, to commence in January of 2018.

ACAP Saint John is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all candidates including, but not limited to, women, non-cisgendered individuals, members of visible minority populations, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples. 

About ACAP Saint John

For over twenty-five years, ACAP has conducted successful in-school environmental education programs, summer camps, ecological inventories, water quality monitoring programs, habitat restorations, watercourse restorations, wetland enhancements, contaminated site remediation, green space planning, and engaged thousands of area residents in community cleanup initiatives. ACAP Saint John has an excellent reputation in the community for acting as a third-party mediator of contentious environmental issues, and continues to expand their role as a public source of knowledge and information dissemination. We continue to affect long-term planning for greening and revitalization in Saint John by offering our expertise and our research outcomes to levels of government, corporations and institutions throughout the region. 

In 2016, ACAP Saint John renewed its focus on growing the restorative development potential of Greater Saint John, on issues of Climate Change adaptation, on restoring and conserving our invaluable ecological habitats, on building our community’s scientific knowledge base and on redefining how urban green spaces are preserved and enjoyed while fostering inclusive environments. 

At its heart, ACAP has always been an environmental incubator, one that transforms and evolves our region’s landscapes with the help of governments, companies and community collaborators. Our work is designed to be seen, felt and experienced throughout the environment – from our wetlands and coastlines to our streets and public spaces.

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter and resume by December 15, 2017 to executivedirector at acapsj.org * with the subject line, "Climate Change Adaptation Planner" - only those short-listed for an interview will be contacted.

*Note: The e-mail address above has been masked to help prevent spam. Please copy the address and replace “at” with @.