Sustainable and ecological forest management

Position: Ecological Forestry Coordinator
Organization: Medway Community Forest Cooperative Ltd.
Location: Caledonia NS (Employee is expected to commute to our office and license area in Caledonia, NS +/- 2 days/week or more during field season)
Close date: Open until filled

The Medway Community Forest Co-op (MCFC) is Eastern Canada’s first Crown land community forest based in the rural community of Caledonia, Nova Scotia. Our mission is to support local communities through sustainable and ecologically-based forest management. On a daily basis, the MCFC stewards a diverse 15,000 hectare license area using practices that reflect the multiple values that exist in our local community.

MCFC is leading the implementation of ecological forestry in Nova Scotia, demonstrating sustainable Crown land management through research, monitoring, and best practices. Committed to transparency and community engagement, MCFC fosters rural economic growth while creating opportunities for education, recreation, and value-added wood production.

At the MCFC, our staff’s shared passion for ecological forestry is a significant element of our success. We foster and fun and inclusive work place, and encourage innovation through action-oriented programs.

Job Description:

• Duration: Contract to March 31, 2026, extension to March 31, 2030 contingent on funding
• Hours: 37.5 hours/week
• Pay: Starting at $55,000/year, commensurate with experience

Location: Caledonia NS. Remote Work Expectations: Employee is expected to commute to our office and license area in Caledonia, NS +/- 2 days/week or more during field season.

The Ecological Forestry Coordinator is responsible for maintaining our outreach program, developing new opportunities for ecotourism and recreation, supporting forestry operations planning, and coordinating research on our Crown land license area. This dynamic and multi-faceted role is best suited to an individual whose interests lie in the intersection between forestry and traditional conservation approaches.

The coordinator works closely with the Executive Director and Operations Manager to coordinate research and support internal monitoring and stewardship initiatives within the license area. The role involves collaborating with partner organizations in the conservation and forestry sectors on relevant projects within the local community and beyond.

Primary Tasks:

Research

• Coordinate and liaise with research partners, including academia, government, environmental organizations and industry to facilitate research on the license area.
• Collect and analyze data to help inform the development of innovative forestry practices and beneficial management practices for species at risk and exploring opportunities for publication.
• Support efforts to increase carbon sequestration and storage on the license area through data and field based methods.
• Pursue and author grant proposals that align with ongoing projects with particular interest in community development, species at risk (SAR) special management practices and ecotourism development.
• Conduct sampling for internal biodiversity monitoring and annual migratory bird surveys.

Forestry Operations

• Assist the Operations Manager with forest inventory surveys including pre-treatment assessments, regeneration, old growth forests and pre-commercial thinning.
• Support external communications related to public review of harvest areas and promotion of ecological forestry practices.
• Support updates to the MCFC stewardship plan, including the coordination of stakeholder and community engagement.

Non-Timber Projects and Outreach

• Lead the execution of ecotourism projects and events including obtaining necessary approvals, supervising contractors and managing logistics.
• Manage reservations for the MCFC campground and supervise seasonal maintenance staff.
• Plan and coordinate logistics for community events and lead outreach activities with seasonal staff as required. Represent the MCFC at events and workshops to enhance our community profile.
• Build relationships with Mi'kmaq community members to access the license area and support traditional and eco-cultural uses.
• Support general outreach and promotions including social media, website and media inquiries, and general administrative duties including grant reporting as required.

Minimum Requirements:

• The successful candidate must have a minimum bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, or similar
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working within the forestry or forest conservation sector
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task and exercise sound judgement in decision-making
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills including working with industry, academia and stakeholder groups
• Strong preference to individuals who have completed training in Nova Scotia Forest Ecosystem Classification (FEC) and Pre-Treatment Assessment
• Experience with ArcMap Pro, Arc Online, Survey 1-2-3, Avenza Maps and Microsoft Teams
• Experience designing and executing research projects
• Nova Scotia Class 5 Driver’s license or equivalent
• Willingness to work in a remote rural community

Additional Assets:

• Strong preference for individuals who are registered or eligible to be registered as a forestry professional in Nova Scotia (either forest technician or forester)
• Knowledge of Nova Scotia Crown forestry, regulations and legislation
• Experience conducting migratory bird point count surveys
• Local community resident

Application Process:

To apply, please forward your resume, a cover letter and contact information for two references in PDF format to maryjane@medwaycommunityforest.com . Please include the last name in the title of file. Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

The MCFC encourages applicants from a diversity of backgrounds or self-identify as part of an underrepresented group to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.