Forest Protection, Restoration, Regeneration, Conservation, Stewardship

Position: Economic Transitions Lead
Organization: Mother Tree Network
Location: Southern Vancouver Island / Lower Mainlaind

About Us

The Mother Tree Network’s purpose is to protect, restore, and transform the stewardship of forests in British Columbia and beyond. The network grew out of the ground-breaking research of founding director and renowned forest ecologist Dr. Suzanne Simard and her Mother Tree Project at UBC. As a registered charity, we bring together researchers, Indigenous partners, and a circle of collaborators to help make the transition to regenerative forest stewardship and alternative forest economies. By invitation, we work with First Nations and other communities wanting to shift how forests are stewarded in their territories. The Mother Tree Network (MTN) is also leading a five-year multi-agency and interdisciplinary research project, which this position will support.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Economic Transitions Lead will: provide support to partnering First Nations to develop alternative forest economic development and transition plans; help develop models, tools, and policy recommendations; and share knowledge about alternative forest opportunities with varied audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Economic Transitions Lead will:

• Work with First Nations, other MTN team members, researchers, and ecological modelers to determine, map, and quantify territory-specific, provincial, and national opportunities for alternative forest economies;
• Work with the MTN team and partner First Nations to understand each community’s socioeconomic values and goals, co-develop forest management scenarios, and determine the socio-economic implications using local data;
• Share opportunities, trends, barriers, models, and case studies for alternative forest-related economic development with First Nations and other audiences;
• Support MTN staff and researchers to develop a forest planning model, analytical and planning tools, and monitoring protocols;
• Identify barriers to economic transitions and make recommendations for policy reform;
• Prepare resources, write reports and papers, and make presentations on alternative forest economic opportunities and frameworks for varied audiences; and
• Support other MTN programs and activities as required.

Qualifications

• A graduate degree in a relevant discipline, such as forestry, economics, business, geography, or community economic development
• Experience working with First Nations and a commitment to Indigenous sovereignty
• Minimum of three years of related work experience
• Excellent understanding of alternative forest-related economic opportunities and challenges, including with: carbon offsets and markets, ecosystem services, conservation finance, forest certification, non-timber forest products, selective harvest, niche markets, ecological restoration, fire mitigation, and cultural, educational, research/monitoring and tourism opportunities.
• Knowledge of forest policy, tenures and business models; economic modelling; BC political economy; and alternative valuation methods
• Ability to communicate effectively with varied audiences, including First Nation communities, academics, foresters, ecological modelers and government representatives
• Ability to build relationships of trust, collaborate, and work effectively as part of a team and with limited supervision

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Terms of Employment

The successful candidate will work remotely and ideally be located in the Lower Mainland or southern Vancouver Island, but other locations will be considered. This is a contract position with varying hours (up to 20 hours/week on average). Invoicing will be completed on an hourly basis, with the rate based on experience and qualifications ($60-75/hour). The position will require travel and expenses will be covered. The start date is as soon as possible.

To Apply

MTN values employment equity and inclusion. We encourage Indigenous people, women, and members of diverse communities to apply, even if you do not meet all of the requirements.

Please send a resume and cover letter with the subject line ‘Economic Transitions Lead’ to Dr. Jana Kotaska, Executive Director: jana.kotaska@mothertreenetwork.org

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Application deadline: January 29, 2025