Ecological / Wildlife Corridors

Job Title: Ecological Corridors – Indigenous Liaison
Organization: Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network
Location: Hybrid (primarily working from home but must be available for occasional in-person work within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region), Eastern Ontario (between Kingston, Perth, Smiths Falls, Kemptville, Brockville area)

• Reports To: Conservation Project Manager
• Contract Start: ASAP, pending finalization of a project funding agreement
• Contract End: November 30, 2025
• Hours & Wage: 35 hrs/wk, $26-30/hr

Overview of Position:

The Ecological Corridors – Indigenous Liaison will work closely with the Ecological Corridors - Project Coordinator to facilitate Indigenous engagement in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network’s (FABN’s) “Restoring Ecological Connectivity within the Frontenac Arch Region through Ethical Space and Co-governance” project and support all project partners (A2A Collaborative and Plenty Canada) to use a distinction-based approach to build relationships in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.

This project aims to establish an inclusive governance model to pursue the Criteria for Ecological Corridors in Canada in strategic locations of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region (FABR) by operationalizing Two-Eyed Seeing and working in Ethical Space.* This collaborative initiative continues and extends the ongoing work of FABN and its partners to advance local biodiversity conservation through Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationship building, collaborative stewardship, Conservation Action Planning, corridor mapping, and road ecology research in the region. The successful candidate must reside within reasonable proximity to the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region.

Main Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the Ecological Corridors - Project Coordinator to plan and coordinate trainings, meetings, workshops, fieldwork and other key project events to facilitate the meaningful involvement of Indigenous rights-holders throughout the project.
• Ensure the appropriate protocols and resources are integrated into event planning and implementation to encourage and allow for Indigenous participation.
• Advise and make recommendations to the Frontenac Arch Conservation Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Team on how to restructure the CAP process to allow for meaningful input from Indigenous partners.
• Support the Conservation Project Manager to ensure all requirements of the contribution agreement with the project funder are fulfilled in a timely manner (reporting, documentation, work plans, etc.)
• Work with staff of project partner organizations to ensure Indigenous perspectives and concerns are reflected in project geospatial database and communication materials.
• Support Ecological Corridors - Project Coordinator and project partners to document project governance, processes and lessons learned.
• Work with project partners to ensure Indigenous perspectives are included in the identification and prioritization of opportunities to improve connectivity (i.e. potential locations for future wildlife crossing infrastructure, focused outreach to private landowners, ecological restoration, etc.)
• Support the overall goals and work of the project partners, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Ideal Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience working with and/or within an Indigenous community.
• Ability to cultivate relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of people, communities, and organizations.
• Familiarity with and interest in the concepts of Two-Eyed Seeing/ Ethical Space in an environmental stewardship context.
• Education and/or experience in Indigenous studies, ecology, geography, conservation biology, environmental studies or something similar.
• Familiarity with the ecological and cultural landscape of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region and an interest in its conservation.
• Awareness of issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, especially in a land-based context, and commitment to the values of Truth and Reconciliation.
• Interest in building Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationships within frameworks such as Ethical Space and Two-Eyed Seeing.
• Knowledge of international and national conservation policies and initiatives and experience with their implementation in Canada.
• Experience and interest in inclusive governance models for small organizations.
• Familiarity with the Criteria for Ecological Corridors in Canada.

Ideal Skills:

• Excellent listener.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work well in small groups to accomplish specific goals both remotely and in person.

Other Requirements and Assets:

• Valid G driver’s license and a reliable means of transportation (approved project-related travel will be reimbursed).
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, ArcGIS and/or QGIS will be considered an asset.
• Applications are especially encouraged from those identifying as Indigenous with existing relationships within the project focus area.

We recognize that not every candidate will have every quality listed and are committed to providing training and support. We are also open to negotiating the exact responsibilities to best fit the right candidate, aiming for the most beneficial outcome as our team grows.

If you are an Indigenous person who does not meet all these criteria and would still make a great Indigenous Liaison, we encourage you to apply and tell us in your cover letter what you would bring to the role. If a written application is a barrier please call or email Christine Grossutti at 613-540-1129 christine@fabn.ca If you have questions about the position you may email christine@fabn.ca

Benefits of Working for FABN:

• Values-driven work.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Ability to work from home.
• Positive and supportive work culture.
• Home workstation equipment available.

Please send a one page cover letter and a resume as a single PDF to christine@fabn.ca by November 29, 2024. Applications will be considered as they are received so we encourage those interested to submit their applications as early as possible. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be virtual.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided candidates make their accommodation needs known ahead of time. The FABN is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We welcome applications from women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons.

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About the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region:

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region is one of 19 UNESCO designated biosphere regions in Canada. The Frontenac Arch is an ecologically unique landscape spanning the area from Brockville to Westport to Verona on the traditional territory of the Algonquin and Kanienʼkehá꞉ka, and is characterized by an ancient ridge of exposed granite that acts as a wildlife corridor between the Adirondack Mountains and Algonquin Park. The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network administers the UNESCO designation and delivers programming focused on celebrating biodiversity and sustainability in the region.

*Ethical Space or an "ethical space of engagement" (Ermine, 2007) is an approach to dialogue for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to meaningfully interact with one another in mutual respect of our distinct worldviews and knowledge systems, in order to collaborate, co-create solutions, and achieve common ground. It reflects the historic way of engagement between Indigenous Peoples and settler society at the signing of the first treaties, which were founded in mutual respect and co-existence. The responsibility is on us all to re-create this shared space, which in some cases has been forgotten and undermined over the last 150 years (One With Nature, 2018).

Following the model developed during the Pathway to Canada Target 1 process, the Ethical Space approach means that:

a) knowledge systems may interact with mutual respect, kindness and generosity;

b) no single knowledge system is given more weight or legitimacy than another;

c) it is necessary for all parties to maintain flexibility; and

d) participation is not construed as consultation or accommodation under existing or previous provincial or federal legislation or policies.1

1 See We Rise Together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/pc/R62-548-2018-eng.pdf

 

 

FAB Region / Leeds and Grenville, Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, Kingston, Westport, Gananoque, Perth, Smiths Falls, Kemptville, Brockville, Prescott, Lansdowne, Rockport, Mallorytown, Athens, Seeley's Bay, Thousand Islands...

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