JOB TITLE: Program Specialist - Water Coalition
LOCATION: Calgary or Edmonton, or Remote in Alberta

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is a charity that leads and catalyzes environmental and climate action projects that enhance the well-being of Alberta’s communities. It works collaboratively with diverse partners to deliver, fund, and enable innovative solutions that address pressing environmental challenges in the province. Alberta Ecotrust is a founding member of the Low Carbon Cities Canada network, which is a national initiative that accelerates equitable climate solutions in cities.

Alberta Ecotrust respectfully acknowledges that our programs are delivered across the province of Alberta, comprising Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 territory, the traditional lands of First Nations and Métis Peoples. We are committed to creating a safe, warm and welcoming environment for all people interested in applying for our positions.

Program Specialist - Water Coalition Coordinator

Working in a small, friendly and flexible team-based environment, the Program Specialist will be responsible for coordinating efforts to restore and increase funding to provincial watershed programming, to build and maintain a coalition of water stewardship organizations, and to support efforts to enhance government relations and advocacy capacity among interest holders. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of Alberta’s water sector, experience in coalition building, and a strong ability to foster relationships with diverse partners, including Indigenous communities. 

This position may also participate in engagement activities which may require some traveling, evening, and weekend work.

Join Alberta Ecotrust and be part of a team that cares deeply about securing resources for environmental and climate solutions, love to work across sectoral boundaries, and are committed to thinking outside the box in finding collective solutions to complex and urgent challenges.  Your passion for water, conservation, and climate solutions, combined with your skills in project administration, facilitation, research, capacity building, and collaboration will be instrumental in advancing our mission.

This position is responsible for the following:

• Coalition Building: Facilitate the creation and ongoing management of a coalition of water stewardship organizations, including but not limited to Ducks Unlimited, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Oldman Watershed Council, ALUS, and others, and Indigenous-led organizations.

• Advocacy and Government Relations: Support efforts to increase funding programs for watershed resiliency in Alberta, including organizing meetings with government officials, preparing strategic communications, and aligning advocacy efforts with coalition goals.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities, ensuring their involvement and perspectives are integral to the coalition’s work.

• Capacity Building: Develop and deliver training workshops focused on enhancing government relations and advocacy skills among coalition members and other water-focused organizations.

• Strategic Planning: Assist in the development of long-term funding strategies, including exploring and recommending water fund models to support the coalition and ongoing water stewardship efforts in Alberta.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Track and report on the progress of initiatives, ensuring outcomes are met and learnings are shared with interest holders and partners.

• Program Coordination: coordinate activities related to all of the above.

Skills and Expertise

You will report directly to the Director, Grants & Initiatives and collaborate closely with all the Program Specialists on the Grants & Initiatives team as well as the rest of Alberta Ecotrust. Alberta Ecotrust’s head office is in Calgary, and we have a collaborative workspace in Edmonton, however, the successful candidate can be located in either Calgary or Edmonton, or potentially a remote placement.

A successful candidate will possess the following skills and expertise:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Water Resources, Public Policy, or a related field; or equivalent experience. 

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in water management, environmental policy, or related fields, with specific experience in Alberta’s water sector preferred.

• Coalition Building: Demonstrated experience in building and managing coalitions or networks of organizations.

• Government Relations: Experience in advocacy or government relations, particularly related to environmental or water policy.

• Indigenous Relations: Experience working with Indigenous communities or organizations, with an understanding of the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge into environmental initiatives.

• Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation, and project management skills.

Workplace Culture & Position Location

Alberta Ecotrust provides a flexible schedule and an inclusive, positive, and collaborative team culture. A hybrid model is employed at Alberta Ecotrust with flexible office hours in Calgary or Edmonton, combined with remote working.  Travel between Calgary and Edmonton and occasionally throughout the province will be required as part of this position as well as a requirement to be in either the Calgary or Edmonton office at least once a week.

In Calgary, we have a casual workplace in a heritage building with lots of meeting space, a full kitchen, great access to transit, local restaurants and the downtown core. In Edmonton, we have a co-working space with individual workspaces, space for meetings, and collaborative spaces when needed. Our staff are extremely motivated to make a difference, and you’ll be part of an innovative team that gets to do interesting, meaningful work aligned with their shared values and desire to improve the world. 

Remuneration

This is a full-time contract position with a competitive salary of starting at $75,000 per year based on a 35-hour work week. Plus paid health benefits, three weeks vacation, your birthday off, and a Christmas break. This is a 2-year contract position until approximately December 2026. The position is eligible for a 37.5-hour work week, where the employee will work 7.5 hours a day to earn every third Friday off with pay.

How to Apply

1. Submit your application to Alberta Ecotrust via our online recruitment system by midnight on November 18, 2024. 
2. Please provide a cover letter and resume via the online system.
3. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed three pages.
4. You must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
5. No relocation budget is provided.

Alberta Ecotrust is an equal opportunity employer that strives to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in, and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, people with disabilities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. If we can make this easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing l.risslingwynn@albertaecotrust.com

Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank everyone who applies.