Careers

Job Title: Partnerships & Policy Manager

Location: Remote based in Ontario or Invasive Species Centre office in Sault Ste. Marie, ON 

Application Deadline: December 20, 2024. Please consider applying early, as interviews ongoing until position filled.

Start Date: January 2025

Status: Full-time, Permanent  

Salary: $70,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits: Eligible  

Are you passionate about making positive environmental change? If so, then we would like to hear from you! We are looking for a creative, outcome-focused leader with strong management skills to deliver key programs on invasive species prevention and management.

Who we are

The Invasive Species Centre mission is to mobilize action against invasive species that harm the environment, economy, and society. Incorporated as a not-for-profit in 2011 as a hub for collaboration and knowledge sharing, the Invasive Species Centre has grown into a respected collaborator and leader in invasive species knowledge and action. We rely on values of inclusion, innovation, stewardship, collaboration, and commitment to excellence to achieve our vision of a Canada where land and water are protected from invasive species. Please take a few minutes to learn more about us:

• On our website
• Past Annual Reports
• LinkedIn profile

Why Work With Us?

• Meaningful purpose-driven work, with over 20 dedicated and passionate team members
• Opportunity to meet new people, and see new places, through work travel
• Fun, culture building activities led by our Spirit Committee
• Strong support for personal and professional development
• Commitment to providing a supportive workplace through:

• • Flexible work location and hours
  • Paid personal days
  • Paid health/sick time
  • Additional supports through Team Support Strategy
  • Comprehensive benefit plan
  • Opportunity to participate in Group RRSP

Position Summary  

The Partnerships & Policy Manager is a key role at the Invasive Species Centre. This position is part of the Management Team, reports to the Executive Director and works collaboratively with team members, to help us meet our mission. The successful candidate will ensure the Partnerships & Policy Team delivers on commitments including Invasive Phragmites response, community granting programs and innovative multi-partner collaborations on invasive species. They will support the development and delivery of high-quality programming that makes a difference on the ground. They will inspire action, motivate the team, listen to partners and help us make positive change to our environment, economy and society.

Principal Accountabilities

Leadership Roles:

• Ensure that Invasive Species Centre is a leader in priority program areas including: invasive species prevention and management, community granting, outreach, economics, municipal outreach, new technologies and innovative programs
• Provide supervision, management, support, feedback and guidance to approximately 3-8 team members
• Build, support and adjust project teams as needed
• Respectfully discuss and support Indigenous led projects
• Lead partnership meetings and programs
• Work with Invasive Species Centre Management Team to ensure seamless integration of programs, people and mission
• Prepare materials and participate in Invasive Species Centre Board meetings
• Assist Executive Director with outreach and relationship building with federal, provincial and municipal governments, and a range of partners
• Help us create the best workplace culture possible that fosters personal and professional growth

Program Direction and Management roles:

• Oversee all aspects of key programs which may include Ontario Phragmites Action program, Invasive Species Action Fund, Green Shovels Collaborative and/or others
• Working with the team, provide input and directions for annual workplan
• Support business development process with innovative proposals to address invasive species needs
• Ensure deliverables for all agreements are of the highest quality, completed on time and on budget
• Support project leads in development, tracking and oversight of project budgets
• Oversee and/or coordinate reporting under various agreements
• Ensure that projects have project charters and that team members roles, responsibilities and workplans are clearly understood
• Support the Communications Team in identifying opportunities to communicate and the development of new communications products, online engagement and social media
• Represent the Invasive Species Centre as a media spokesperson, as required
• Establish meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities, organisations and implementation partners

Human Resources roles:

• Help implement the Team Support Strategy
• Identify team needs, provide input into hiring decisions
• Support the hiring and onboarding process for new staff, as required
• Coordinate the annual Professional Development Plan process for team members
•  Support personal and professional growth opportunities

Invasive Species Expertise roles:

• Monitor, interpret and advise on policy changes that relate to invasive species across all orders of government
• Coordinate the development of responses to government policies and programs
• Continue to grow team’s subject matter expertise in invasive species
• Develop the Invasive Species Centre Support Services offering contracted invasive species services
• Represent the Invasive Species Centre at conferences, events or webinars to advance organizational interests
• Other duties as assigned 

Minimum Qualifications  

• The successful candidate should have at least five years of related work experience
• Degree or diploma in environmental science/studies, policy, geography, political science, and/or a related subject or significant relevant experience in an appropriate field
• Experience in managing a team, overseeing programs and budgets
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with Indigenous communities  
• Ability and willingness to travel as required to support workplan priorities
• Valid G drivers license, or equivalent, and ability to travel by car
• Valid passport, or ability to obtain, and ability to travel internationally as required
• Ability to travel as required, approximately 20-30 days each year, to complete required duties of this role

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Bilingualism in French or Indigenous languages considered an asset

Key Competencies  

• Excellent interpersonal skills and judgement, and a high degree of versatility and initiative
• Ability to think critically and strategically, and detailed focused
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects to produce high quality results
• Strong sense of diplomacy and tact
• Knowledge of developing and overseeing program budgets
• Ability to oversee contractors, track progress, and ensure compliance
• Ability to build effective partnerships with team, government and partners
• Ability to grow professional networks quickly with great effect
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a quickly changing, fast paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 software family
• Excellent written and presentation skills
• Ability to draft and review contracts, agreements and MOUs
• Ability to contribute to a positive organizational culture
• Ability to demonstrate creativity, self-motivation and initiative
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Other Requirements  

• The candidate must be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations
• The candidate must be willing to comply with the Invasive Species Centre’s Policy Manual
• The candidate must be able and willing to undertake 20-30 nights of paid travel each year to complete essential duties of this role
• The candidate must provide a productive work from home space should they plan to work in a community other than Sault Ste. Marie

Instructions for Applicants 

Applications will be reviewed until Dec. 20, 2024. Early applications are encouraged. Please submit your application package as a single PDF document. This document must include a cover letter (2 page maximum) and a resume describing how your related work experience aligns with the posted position. Please submit via email, with the job title in the subject line to:

• Colin Cassin, Executive Director
• Invasive Species Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5
• Email: careers@invasivespeciescentre.ca  

No telephone calls please. Only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted. 

The Invasive Species Centre is an equal opportunity and accessible employer. The Invasive Species Centre will provide accommodation for candidates with disabilities during the recruitment process, upon request. 

Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario preferred but remote opportunities from elsewhere in Ontario available  

Start Date: February 2025 

End Date: March 31, 2026, with possibility for extension  

Salary Range: $47,000-$50,000 based on qualifications 

Job Type: Full-time, Contract 

The Invasive Species Centre aims to mobilize action against invasive species that harm the environment, economy and society. Incorporated as a not-for-profit in 2011 as a hub for collaboration and knowledge sharing, we have grown into a respected collaborator and leader in invasive species knowledge and action. We rely on values of inclusion, innovation, stewardship, collaboration, and commitment to excellence to achieve our vision of a Canada where land and water are protected from invasive species.   

If you are passionate about protecting forests, land, and water in Canada and enjoy working as a part of an upbeat and fast-paced team, please follow the application instructions at the end of this posting. 

Position Summary  

The Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator will work under the ISC’s Programs team and be responsible for the coordination of the ISC’s multiple aquatic invasive species projects. This work consists of implementing programs to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species through creating digital outreach campaigns, social media and web maintenance, coordinating special events, partner outreach and coordination, and presentations, media engagement, and overall budgeting and coordination of projects. This position will also focus on development of aquatic invasive plant management plans and communications plans. 

Other tasks can include responding to information inquiry requests, presenting to interested groups on aquatic invasive species, events, and leading committee meetings.  

We offer a fun, vibrant workplace with flexibility and shared passion for protecting the environment.  This is a one-year contract position to start, with opportunity to continue for additional years, contingent upon funding. We believe in supporting our team as much as possible, with a competitive compensation package including wages, minimum of 2 weeks of vacation, 12 paid holidays, paid personal days, paid sick leave, contribution to personal and professional development and many opportunities to learn new skills. The ISC offers hybrid work opportunities for team members in Sault Ste. Marie. 

Principal Accountabilities 

• Implementing established programs to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species 

• Project management including tracking program deliverables, budgeting, tracking key performance indicators and reporting 

• Development of digital outreach campaigns including social media marketing, influencer outreach and paid advertising  

• Development of management plans focusing on aquatic invasive species including plants 

• Webpage creation and maintenance  

• Special event coordination  

• Event/conference attendance  

• Outreach material and new tool development 

• Grant writing and business development for AIS projects 

• Coordinating meetings consisting of multiple stakeholder groups 

• Liasing with partner organizations to meet deliverables 

Minimum Qualifications  

The successful candidate will be a university or college graduate or have equivalent experience in fields such as biology, fisheries, environmental science/studies, or other related fields. They will have a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in competencies listed below. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Possess a Bachelors’ degree or equivalent additional certification in biology, fisheries, environmental science/studies, or other related fields. 

• Knowledge of aquatic invasive fish, invertebrates, and plants 

• Possess a valid G-class drivers licence, ability to travel and preferably access to a vehicle.  

Minimum Competencies  

The successful candidate will have strong: 

• Organisational skills: ability to quickly design and implement programs and processes, communicate with team, track grants throughout granting cycle, respond to requests in a timely way 

• Project Management skills: Ability to develop, manage and track projects, keeping activities on time and on budget and report back to funders 

• Administrative skills: Knowledge of office procedures, knowledge of or willingness to learn invoicing, tracking expenses 

• Strong Science Communication Skills: The ability to express themselves clearly in conversations and interactions with others, through writing, speaking, and images 

• Technical and data management expertise: computer proficiency and experience with Microsoft Office software especially Excel, Adobe Acrobat, social media, email marketing, and survey applications 

• Knowledge of invasive species: Working general knowledge of environmental science and invasive species considered an asset 

• Teamwork skills: Have a can-do and optimistic outlook, help to set a tone of cooperation within the work group and across groups; coordinate own work with others, respond positively to instructions, procedures, and feedback  

• Time management and flexibility skills: manage multiple projects; determine project urgency in a practical way; create detailed action plans and budgets, adapt well to changing priorities, deadlines, and directions 

• Initiative: identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it; plan work and carry out tasks without detailed instructions  

Other Requirements  

• The candidate must be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations 

• Bilingual in French, English, and/or Indigenous languages would be an asset 

• Must work within standard business hours and occasionally evening and weekends depending on work requirements 

• Willingness and ability to travel as required (est. 5-10 days annually) 

• The candidate will need to comply with all ISC policies  

• Ability to start position as soon as possible  

Applications will be accepted until January 9, 2025.  

Please submit application package as a single PDF, including cover letter and resume, which includes your education and work experience history to: 

• Rebecca D’Orazio, Aquatic Invasive Species Team Lead
• Invasive Species Centre, 1219 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5
• Email: info@invasivespeciescentre.ca 

No telephone calls, please. Only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Please note that this position is pending confirmation of funding. 

The Invasive Species Centre is an equal opportunity and accessible employer. The Invasive Species Centre will provide accommodation for candidates with disabilities during the recruitment process, upon request.