Ocean / Marine Conservation

Job Title: Conservation Manager
Organization: BlueAct Marine Society
Location: Gibsons/ Sechelt/ Sunshine Coast, BC. The position has the flexibility to work remotely on advance work and reporting (ideally from a Pacific Standard Time zone). The position needs to be on-site for field work that takes place on the Sunshine Coast, BC.

• Reports to: Executive Director
• Term: Permanent part-time; 22.5 hrs/week (0.6 FTE) (negotiable as a contract position)
• Wage: Annual salary range: $34,996 - $43,745 ($29.91 - $37.39/hr)
• Benefits: 3 weeks paid vacation (FTE .6 - 9 days), $120/month health and wellness supplement; cell phone and on-call stipend

Job Summary:

Responsible for the management of the conservation program including successful delivery of projects that protect and restore marine habitats and support the health of the ocean; building partnerships and sourcing funding opportunities for new projects in conjunction with the Executive Director.

Application Deadline: Ongoing until filled
Start Date: January 6, 2025

BACKGROUND

The Gibsons Community Building Society (GCBS) is a not-for-profit organization operating the Gibsons Public Market and is the sole member of BlueAct Marine Society, operator of the Nicholas Sonntag Tidepools Aquarium, and an emerging conservation program. Our mission is to build a healthy, caring, thriving community through vibrant community events, programs, public gathering spaces, a bustling local market, an inspiring collect-and-release aquarium, and a robust conservation program. We connect people to foster a healthier, more social, and caring community. We inspire sustainable behaviour for the health of our oceans. We create opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs to cultivate community economic development.

BlueAct Marine Society operates Nicholas Sonntag Tidepools Aquarium housed within the Gibsons Public Market. It is a unique collect-and-release aquarium with over 70 local species collected from the pristine waters of Átl'ka7tsem | Howe Sound and Sechelt Inlet, providing an awe-inspiring experience to connect visitors with the wonders of the local marine environment. The centre also conducts educational programs for school-age children and environmental conservation projects, with regional environmental partners. We are focused on educating the public about the local marine ecosystems and encouraging our community to become stewards for the health of our ocean. Individuals working with us must value environmental stewardship and love the marine world.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Conservation Manager is responsible for:

1. PLAN, ORGANIZE AND DELIVER CONSERVATION PROJECTS
● Coordinate and manage staff and volunteer resources to deliver project goals within budget and on time.
● Ensure project deliverables achieve established goals.
● Ensure required data is gathered and stored to enable grant and project reporting.

2. MONITOR, EVALUATE, AND REPORT ON PROJECT OUTCOMES
● Ensure required monitoring of project deliverables including technical reports.
● Analyze project results and produce required reporting with recommendations.
● Produce presentations to share outcomes with stakeholders and the community.

3. DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS AND REPRESENT OUR SOCIETY IN THE COMMUNITY
● Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, provincial, and federal agencies, and other partner organizations.
● Represent the Society at community, municipal, and partner events and promote the Society’s conservation program to key stakeholders (including evening and weekend events).
● Support outreach marketing opportunities to highlight the work the organization is doing.
● Manage events that bring our conservation partners together to network, share their work with each other, and highlight their work to the public.

4. IDENTIFY AND SECURE FUNDING PARTNERS
● Build a compelling case for conservation project support.
● Source grants and other funding opportunities and write grants to secure funding support for the Society’s conservation work.
● Present the case for support to potential funders and donors.
● Manage all reporting for grants, donors, and annual Report to Community regarding the organization’s conservation work.

DIRECT PROJECT DELIVERABLES

● Town of Gibsons Healthy Harbour Project
● Ocean Legacy Foundation Shoreline Cleanup
● Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Green Crab Monitoring
● Climate Faire staff liaison
● Other projects that align with the mission and fit with goals and staff capacity

RELATIONSHIPS

● Establishes and maintains relationships and alliances.
● Maintains effective communications.
● Shares information and readily determines to whom to go for relevant information.
● Seeks assistance and feedback in the problem-solving process.
● Partners with others to achieve expectations.
● Respect cross-functional accountabilities within the organization

QUALIFICATIONS

● A university degree in a related biology and/or environmental field (min. BSc, MSc preferred)
● In-depth knowledge of local marine species and their life histories.
● Experience leading conservation projects impacting the marine habitats and the health of the ocean (experience on the West Coast of North America is an asset)
● Project management skills, grant writing experience.
● Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict management, and negotiating.
● Experience working with multiple partners on delivery is an asset.
● Excellent oral and written communication skills, effective and articulate public speaker.
● Proficiency with MS Office Suite and G Suite.
● Open water diving certification is an asset.
● Ability to work outside for extended periods of time under inclement conditions.
● Ability to work weekends and evenings, as required.
● Ability to support on-call program for Aquarium, as required (stipend part of compensation package)

WORKING CONDITIONS

● The position has the flexibility to work remotely on advance work and reporting (ideally from a Pacific Standard Time zone)
● The position needs to be on-site for field work that takes place on the Sunshine Coast

Please submit cover letter and resume to:

Nancy Cottingham Powell, Executive Director, Gibsons Community Building Society,
via email admin@blueact.org

or drop off your application package at 473 Gower Point Road, Gibsons, BC, V0N 1V0

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Gibsons Community Building Society is committed to equity for all prospective employees regardless of national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or age.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.