CONTRACT POSITION: Program Coordinator (PC) – Comox Valley Conservation Partnership
TERM: Upon candidate selection – March 31, 2023. Renewable thereafter.
TIME COMMITMENT: 45 hours/month
RATE: $40/hour

The Comox Valley Land Trust (CVLT) is an environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) based in the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island. It is both a registered charity and a registered society. CVLT has two programs: the Land Protection Program and the Comox Valley Conservation Partnership (CVCP). The Land Protection Program focuses on the conservation of ecologically significant private lands in the Comox Valley. The CVCP program brings together 27 other local ENGO stewardship groups and ratepayers associations into one forum where common issues can be identified, and solutions found by proactively working with local governments to achieve conservation outcomes.  The work of the CVCP is guided by a Steering Committee comprised by representatives from a subset of the member groups.

The majority of the work undertaken by the CVCP involves providing science-based environmental information to local government decision-makers (elected and staff) to support the development or update of regulatory tools such as official community plans, regional growth strategies, zoning and other by-laws, improving environmental development permit area regulations and supporting various conservation strategies such as integrated rainwater management plans and watershed protection plans.  Working with local governments by providing comment on land development applications through a referral process is also an important role played by the CVCP. Other strategic priorities currently include supporting the protection and ecological management of the Comox Lake Watershed, promoting natural asset management, developing Conservation Tax Incentive Programs for private landowners and supporting the development of a Regional Parks Service.

SCOPE OF WORK

The CVLT requires a Program Coordinator (PC) for the CVCP program (45 hours/month). Activities undertaken by the contractor will be determined by commitments tied to existing contribution agreements from funding agencies, the Executive Director of the CVLT and by input from the Steering Committee of the CVCP.

CONTRACT DELIVERABLES

Contract deliverables will include:

    1. Coordinate the activities of the CVCP Steering Committee including scheduling monthly meetings of the CVCP Steering Committee (third Friday of each month from 9 am to 11:30 am), preparing and circulating the agenda, coordinating minute taking, the circulation of minutes for review, tracking action items and archiving related documents.
    2. Implement and/or coordinate the implementation of action items between stewardship groups and other partners;
    3. Tracking the in-kind contributions of Steering Committee members;
    4. Monitoring local government websites and local media for notifications of public comment and review opportunities pertaining to environmental issues;
    5. Reviewing all development referrals from the City of Courtenay and: screening them for environmental impact, forwarding them for review to the relevant local streamkeeper group and/or undertaking the review, collating any responses and providing feedback to the City of Courtenay.  This process occasionally requires site visits with the developer and/or agents of the developer.
    6. Attending relevant Council meetings, committee meetings and meetings with local government staff;
    7. Working in partnership with the CVLT Executive Director and CVCP Steering Committee members to appear as delegations to Council including coordinating delegation requests, preparing and occasionally making presentations to Council;
    8. Conducting desktop reviews and scientific literature-based research on environmental topics, best management practices, and case studies from other jurisdictions;
    9. Collaborating on the development of funding proposals, and associated project reporting to donors;
    10. Liaison with the CVLT Communications Coordinator to prepare social media and other media content for environmental education and outreach programs;
    11. Other activities as required in support of the Land Protection Program and/or other environmental protection initiatives in the Comox Valley.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The contract opportunity is open to anyone who:

  • Has direct experience working with local government processes, regulatory tools and initiatives;
  • Has a minimum of two to four years work experience in an environmental protection-related field;
  • Has a post-secondary degree in a relevant field of study;
  • Is highly organized and has program coordination and task management related experience;
  • Has a good understanding of the roles and jurisdictions of various levels of government, including familiarity with relevant Provincial and Federal Acts associated with environmental management (e.g., Water Sustainability Act, Riparian Area Regulation, Private Managed Forest Land Act etc.);
  • Has experience in developing positive and supportive relationships within the context of partnership-based initiatives;
  • Demonstrates strong competencies in the use of various email platforms, desktop publishing and database programs, cloud-based data management and file sharing systems (Google Drive, and Dropbox), and common mobile apps;
  • Demonstrates a passion for conservation of the region’s ecology and wildlife;
  • Demonstrates a confident ability to see tasks through from concept to completion;
  • Is exceptionally well organized, meticulous self-directed and efficient in service delivery;
  • Possesses strong interpersonal skills through one-on-one conversations, telephone and email etiquette, group meeting dynamics, and networking abilities
  • Has experience representing an organization within a community, at events or meetings;
  • Has experience in multi-stakeholder meeting environments and office environments, and;
  • Is legally allowed to work in Canada.

 

REPORTING

The PC reports to the CVLT Executive Director. The PC will be expected to self-manage the coordination and execution of tasks and follow a work plan, focusing on priorities identified in the plan. The work plan will be developed in collaboration with the Executive Director to ensure that tasks are clearly understood, achievable, and prioritized.

The PC will be required to prepare a brief written progress report (monthly) for the CVLT Board of Directors according to an existing template. The PC is expected to work collaboratively with other program staff, contractors, volunteers, and CVCP members.

SERVICE DELIVERY

As an independent contractor, the PC will set their own working schedule, but will be required to attend meetings or events scheduled for specific dates and times. These may on occasion take place in the evenings or on weekends but will most often be during normal business hours.  The PC will provide their own office from which to work, and provide all equipment (e.g., computer, telephone) required to produce the contract deliverables. However, the CVLT does share office space and facilities (including a boardroom/meeting space, wifi, printers, photocopiers, scanners, washrooms, kitchen, parking, storage space and a dedicated CVLT desk) in the Conservation Centre (Tin Town, Courtenay). These facilities are fully available to the PC subject to scheduling with other tenants in the Conservation Centre.  The Conservation Centre is the normal place of CVLT business. Mileage expenses to/from the Conservation Centre are not eligible for reimbursement. Other expenses that are incurred from time to time will be reimbursed with prior approval from the CVLT Executive Director.

EVALUATION

The PC will be evaluated based on the success of meeting the deliverables in the contract and the work plans referenced above. CVLT annual contract reviews take place in February prior to contract renewals for April 1.  They are completed by the CVLT Executive Director and one CVLT Board member and/or CVCP Steering Committee member. Contractors that are new to the organization will also participate in a contract evaluation within six months of the start date of the contract.

OWNERSHIP OF PRODUCTS

The CVLT will own all products, materials, photographs and any intellectual property developed under this contract.  At any time when requested, and upon termination of the contract, the PC will provide original copies to the Executive Director or ensure that they are archived appropriately on the CVLT cloud-based system.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applicants are encouraged to highlight their relevant skills, experiences, and educational background as well as provide insight into personal interests, and connections to the Comox Valley’s social or environmental fabric.

Interested applicants are required to electronically submit a resume and one-page cover letter (in PDF format) with one example of  writing (or created product such as a brochure, PowerPoint, website link to created material, etc) to [email protected] with the subject line reading “PC Application” no later than January 30th 2022 at midnight.