Ottawa Sustainability / National Capital Region

Position: Strategic Lead – Green Infrastructure
Organization: EnviroCentre
Location: This role is remote and the candidate must be within National Capital Region of Canada for in-person events.

• Position type: Full-time
• Pay Grade: $72,250 to $85,000 p.a.
• Reports to: Director, Community Sustainability Programs

About the Organization:

EnviroCentre is a leading regional provider of practical initiatives that reduce emissions and environmental impact in our communities. We have worked for 25 years in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, scoping, designing, delivering and scaling initiatives in the areas of home energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, green infrastructure and waste reduction. We are a thriving not-for-profit social enterprise, committed to supporting our region to reduce our impact in meaningful, equitable and sustainable ways.

Mindful of the steep pathway to net-zero emissions in our region, we are looking to grow our impact through innovative, effective initiatives across Eastern Ontario.

Job Description:

The Strategic Lead will be responsible for growing EnviroCentre’s work in green infrastructure planning at the local level. They will ensure EnviroCentre is on the leading edge of sustainable green infrastructure programming and research to support a shift in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario towards improved practices in green infrastructure including trees (tiny forests, urban tree planting, native species, urban gleaning, etc.), stormwater management and other emerging areas.

In any given year, the Strategic Lead can expect to develop and build the framework for strategic projects, in close collaboration with the Executive Director and management team. The preferred candidate will have a background and experience in green infrastructure best practices, initiatives and services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resiliency to climate change and create more sustainable communities. The ideal candidate is well versed in municipal, provincial and federal green infrastructure initiatives, funding streams, and targets.

The Strategic Lead will report to the Director of Community Sustainability Programs and work closely with the Executive Director, Business Development, Community Sustainability, and Communications teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent EnviroCentre at regional stakeholder and working groups, advisories, collaborative projects, and innovation tables as they relate to green infrastructure.
• Maintain and share current knowledge of local, regional, and national groups and organizations advancing green infrastructure work and policy.
• Develop new partnership relationships with local organizations, academic institutions, think tanks, and other partners.
• Identify promising green infrastructure projects and initiatives.
• Identify gap areas in green infrastructure-related services and programing in the region.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of best practices, pilot projects, policy, and research that supports the development of identified green infrastructure-related strategic projects.
• Support the development of business plans and work plans for new opportunities and pilot projects.
• Support the development of proposals and funding applications for specialized services or program development.
• Contribute subject-matter expertise and represent EnviroCentre in communications pertaining to green infrastructure.
• Other duties as required.

The role will periodically require the Green Infrastructure Strategic Lead to:

• Complete resource surveys and literature reviews to support project and strategic development.
• Support analysis of local policy proposals and frameworks.
• Support the development of policy comments and policy recommendations.
• Supervise research students/interns

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in a related field (e.g., Urban Planning, Geography, Sustainable Forestry, Landscape Design, Environmental Science/Studies, Public Policy Administration, etc.) or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3+ years in project management and/or project development in a professional environment.
• Minimum 2+ years of demonstrated experience in research, policy analysis, and the development of public-facing reports and publications, in particular pertaining to urban sustainability and green infrastructure.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience with sustainability programs and policy related to green infrastructure, trees, biodiversity, heat islands, stormwater management, and a strong understanding of sustainability and environmental issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to provide public presentations and written articles as needed.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated experience and facility with partnership development.
• Effective leadership skills.
• Commitment to client service and excellence.
• Computer proficiency with MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, and Power Point, Teams).
• Bilingualism (English/French) a strong asset.
• Ability to attend in-person meetings in the National Capital Region.

Competencies:

• Ability to work under shifting deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to lead and maintain an environment that embraces innovation.
• Analytical ability to solve problems with practical solutions.
• Ability to support practical climate action with a non-polarizing, non-judgmental approach.

Working Conditions

• EnviroCentre is a virtual workplace and will provide all necessary technology and IT support.
• Part of a passionate team of environmental leaders who lead by example and are proud to be contributing to Ottawa’s Climate Targets.
• Home-office environment with frequent computer use.
• Occasional evening or weekend work.

In addition to competitive pay, we offer:

• 35-hour work week and the ability to work flexible hours.
• A virtual workplace that supports work-life flexibility, combined with in-person events, occasional in-person group meetings, and the opportunity to use a co-working space in downtown Ottawa or another convenient location.
• Starting 3 weeks paid vacation per year, plus paid office closure between Christmas and New Year and summer half-day Fridays.
• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP) with company contribution equivalent to up to 5% of your base salary per year.
• Health, dental, and wellness coverage for you and your dependents.
• Paid sick days, and additional time off for personal and care responsibilities.
• A caring, compassionate, and supportive work environment that recognizes that work is one of the many responsibilities we have to prioritize in our lives.

EnviroCentre is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, colour, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, provincial, or municipal laws. EnviroCentre is committed to a workplace where everyone can participate safely, freely, and confidently. We encourage applications from individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Peoples of Colour) and/or members of equity-deserving groups.

EnviroCentre recognizes a diversity of backgrounds and experience. If you do not have the formal experience described but can meet the requirements of the role and are willing to learn, we encourage you to apply and make your case in your cover letter. We are interested in a diverse team, and we are willing to train the right person.

EnviroCentre is committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise us in a timely fashion of any accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, a cover letter detailing their relevant experience, and at least two writing samples demonstrating their policy analysis abilities.

Application Deadline: February 23, 2025

Anticipated start date: As soon as possible

Important:

Please send your resume, cover letter, and at least two writing samples demonstrating your policy analysis abilities to info@envirocentre.ca

Please ensure your resume file (PDF) includes your first and last name and the reference number (Reference# EC202503)

Example: Firstname_Lastname_ EC202503.

Please also put the Reference# EC202503 in the subject line of your email.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

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