“Immediate for Hire”
Be a part of a rapidly growing organization focused on one of the most pressing challenges in Canada: supporting sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities. Water First partners with Indigenous communities to solve local drinking water and environmental water challenges through education, training, and meaningful collaboration.
We seek a Project Manager, Environmental Water, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Environmental Water.
This is a hybrid work-from-home position. Candidates must be available to travel to the Creemore office, 10 Francis Street East, at least twice a week.
We are open to fully remote for qualified candidates outside our geographical area. However, candidates must be available to travel to the Creemore office as needed to attend critical meetings.
Start Date: Immediate
Wage: $66,950 – $77,250 per annum (flexible based on level of experience)
Water First supports progressive labour policies, including:
- Flexible hours
- Health benefits
- Defined benefit pension plan
- Generous paid vacation
The Project Manager is responsible for supporting the delivery and expansion of our environmental water technical programming. Our Environmental Water program addresses the gap in access to water science training in Indigenous communities by integrating technical training with hands-on, project-based learning in partner communities. Our projects are developed and delivered in collaboration with our Indigenous partners to address specific community goals (i.e., strengthen technical abilities, build capacity for community-owned and operated lands and resource departments, and develop a network of environmental professionals).
Responsibilities for this position include:
Organizing, developing, and delivering water science-focused training sessions on:
- Fundamentals of water chemistry
- Hydrology
- Aquatic ecology
- Fisheries science
- Water quality monitoring
- Instrumentation and sampling protocols
- Data management
- GIS & mapping of environmental data
- Communicating environmental information to a variety of audiences
Planning and managing projects to:
- Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives (guided by Water First mandate)
- Coordinate internal resources to ensure the execution of multiple projects simultaneously
- Draft and manage work plans, track deliverables, manage budgets, troubleshoot, and adapt project plans in an anticipatory fashion with the support of the Senior Manager
- Work closely with technical trainers to ensure work plans are clearly communicated, and work tasks are understood
- Provide technical input into the development of water monitoring plans, fish studies, and fish habitat enhancement projects
- Oversee learners’ daily work tasks
- Facilitate training evaluations
- Ensure effective communication with learners
- Coordinate evaluations, data collection, internal/external reporting, and permit applications
- Measure performance using appropriate project management tools and techniques
- Prepare project reports for funders and provide updates to Water First leadership, program managers, and project delivery teams
- Assist with program refinement, adding to program manuals and documentation for future use
- Develop communications content to promote the organization and highlight the success of our programs
- Support and train new staff independently in the applicable areas of responsibility
- Perform other project management duties as required
Collaborating with Indigenous communities to:
- Build new relationships with community partners and foster existing relationships to develop projects collaboratively
- Design training material relevant to communities’ needs
- Support learner recruitment, training, tutoring, and ongoing engagement with community partners and community members (e.g., band office managers, water treatment plant operators, environmental/lands and resources staff, Chief and Council, etc.)
- Represent Water First in public and community relations, presentations and other public speaking engagements as needed
The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following:
- Post-secondary education (bachelor’s degree, technical diploma, or certification) in a related environmental discipline (hydrology, water chemistry, aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, environmental science, water resource management and/or environmental studies)
- Minimum of 2-3 years of technical, environmental project management experience
- Teaching or training experience with adult learners (facilitating hands-on, project-based learning workshops, developing curricula, mentoring learners during work experience placements, etc.)
- Experience managing complex projects and working with multiple stakeholders
- Excellent communication, presentation, and time-management skills
- Excellent teamwork skills
- A self-starter, problem-solver, extremely organized, analytical, flexible, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to work respectfully and collaboratively in a dynamic, multi-faceted team environment and work independently
- You have demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, both orally and in writing
- Solid understanding of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook) and Google Suite
- Strong project management skills
- Basic financial acumen, including experience managing budgets
- A willingness to continually expand your professional skill set, learn on the job, take on additional responsibilities as required and respond to and thrive in a dynamic work environment
- Regular access to a vehicle & willingness to travel to northern, western, and eastern Indigenous communities approximately 25% of the time
- Must be resourceful to troubleshoot challenges arising in remote locations
- Must be physically fit and able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
- A Class G driver’s license and a clean driving record
- Candidates must have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada under relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations
The following are considered assets:
- Experience with ecological restoration
- Experience in designing water quality and/or hydrological sampling plans
- Experience in data analysis and interpretation, possibly using tools like Excel or R
- Experience in fisheries monitoring
- Certified to teach BEAHR, CABIN, OBBN
- Demonstrated track record of experience in leadership and supervision
- Experience with Indigenous community engagement
- Experience with ArcGIS mapping software
- Aware of safe work practices in the field (especially around water)
- Experience flying a drone and/or Drone Pilot Certificate
- Experience handling a small boat and Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card
- Wilderness First Aid training
- Knowledge of principles/practices of Instructional Design and Development
We would love to hear from you if you want to learn more about this exciting opportunity! Qualified Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply.
Water First is an equal opportunity employer and employs personnel without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, language, citizenship, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical and or mental handicap or financial ability.
By following the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Water First Education and Training strives to ensure that all recruiting processes are non-discriminatory and barrier-free. If you require accommodation, please advise us before attending an interview.
While we appreciate all interest, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. As part of the hiring process, a vulnerable sector security check is required for anyone being considered for employment at Water First.
