The Islands Trust Fund is seeking an Ecosystem Protection Specialist for a one-year parental leave.
Compensation starts at $53,616 per year based on a 35 hour work week.
The posting will be on http://employment.gov.bc.ca/ on Wednesday Sept. 6
BC Government Classification is Science and Technical Officer R24, listed under the Ministry of Community Services
Application deadline is Sept 19th at 4:30, with work to start in early October 2007.
Join us in our challenging mission to protect one of the most cherished parts of the British Columbia coast — the Islands Trust Area – a scenic archipelago of international significance: 13 major islands and more than 450 smaller islands. As a unit of the Islands Trust, the Islands Trust Fund is a unique regional land trust, with a legislated mandate to preserve and protect the environment of BC’s southern coastal islands. Using conservation tools such as stewardship education, conservation covenants and land acquisitions, our team of four people has protected 67 properties, with several more being added every year.
Reporting to the Islands Trust Fund Manager, the Ecosystem Protection Specialist is responsible to meet the objectives of the Regional Conservation Plan, evaluate the effectiveness of the plan, and recommend modifications to it on an annual basis. Duties include managing ITF owned covenants and properties, identifying key areas for conservation (using criteria such as species at risk and invasive species), interpreting maps and other data, and providing ecological guidance and expertise to land owners, politicians, planners, non-government and government organizations. Most importantly the position makes site assessments and negotiates donations of land and conservation covenants with land owners, ensuring that they are legally binding and effective at protecting important ecological values.
Qualifications:
Knowledgeable about the full spectrum of land conservation tools, the ideal candidate has:
A Masters Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, Resource Management or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Training in digital mapping and analysis techniques, field level resource assessment techniques, provincial standards for data analysis and land use planning.
Proven success in administering land trust tools such as conservation covenants, acquisitions, property monitoring and management.
Advanced knowledge of the habitats, flora and fauna of the Gulf Islands, including introduced species.
The successful candidate must possess exceptional interpersonal skills and be able to work as part of a team and independently.
Travel is a requirement, as is a fitness level commensurate with occasional field work
STRUCTURE OF ORGANIZATION:
The Islands Trust is mandated, through the Islands Trust Act, to preserve and protect the trust area and its unique amenities and environment for the residents of the Trust Area and British Columbia generally, in cooperation with municipalities, regional districts, the provincial government, first nations and other related organizations and people. Under the Islands Trust Act, the Trust Fund Board is an autonomous corporate body within the Islands Trust. The Trust Fund Board consists of up to six members, three elected from Trust Council and up to three appointed by the Minister of Community Services. The Board directs the work of the Islands Trust Fund. The Islands Trust Fund’s main focus is protecting significant natural and cultural areas by establishing Nature Reserves and Sanctuaries and by working with landowners to register Land Title Act Conservation Covenants on private lands.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Reporting to the Islands Trust Fund Manager, The Ecosystem Protection Specialist is accountable to develop, implement, and evaluate an on-going Land Conservation Strategy for the Islands Trust Fund and to manage ITF owned covenants and properties. Responsibilities include: ecological interpretation, data interpretation and conservation planning, provide guidance and expertise to politicians, planners, non-government and government organizations and local landowners; identification of key areas for conservation, implementation of Trust Fund objectives through landowner contact and negotiation of conservation covenants and land acquisitions; preparation and implementation of property management strategies and assisting with the implementation of other Trust Area programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities include activities necessary to carry out the conservation priorities of the Trust Fund Board in a manner generally as follows:
1. Land Conservation Initiatives (40%)
a. Provide scientific expertise, ecological information, data interpretation, and conservation planning initiatives in the Trust Area to the federal and provincial government, municipal and local governments, first nations, conservancy groups, industry and local landowners;
b. Conduct field visits to evaluate the ecological/cultural values of lands proposed for conservation and determine the compatibility of the proposal with Islands Trust Fund conservation objectives;
c. Negotiate complex conservation covenants, draft covenant documents and review with legal counsel, landowners and partner agencies, finalize and ensure registration is legal and binding;
d. Provide confidential written reports and recommendations to the Trust Fund Board regarding all negotiations with landowners and investigation reports as to breaches of contract;
e. Develop land donation agreements in consultation with legal counsel;
f. Provide up-to-date tax, legal and estate planning information to potential land donors;
g. Develop and administer public awareness and information sessions regarding conservation and land stewardship options and conservation and land use planning implications to biodiversity;
h. Evaluate proposals for land acquisition projects and make recommendations to the Trust Fund Board.
i. Form cooperative partnerships with local, regional and national conservancy groups on approved acquisition projects;
j. Undertake background research and provide scientific expertise in the development of Trust Fund policy and procedures
k. Administer contracts on behalf of the Trust Fund Board, including writing and evaluating Request for Proposals; selecting contractors, writing standardized contracts, providing direction, monitoring contract progress, certifying for payment that work has been performed satisfactorily, preparing status reports and reporting progress to the Trust Fund Board;
l. Assist in the writing of funding proposals by offering scientific expertise and proposed budget requirements; and
m. Act as Islands Trust Fund manager in his/her absence.
2. Identification of Key Areas for Conservation [20%]
Following the Regional Conservation Plan, develop and implement a strategy for proactive land conservation including objectives, targets, methods, procedures and cost estimates for land conservation initiatives;
Analyze conservation data using Geographic Information Systems;
Provide analysis of scientific data including air photo interpretation, technical data sets (i.e. soils, vegetation, bathymetry, hydrology etc.) and inventory fieldwork for terrestrial ecosystem projects;
Working with the GIS Coordinator, develop map formats, provide map template materials, oversee map production and provide quality control in the development and maintenance of an interactive web based map;
Develop cooperative partnerships and collaborate with academic scientists local, regional, provincial and national conservation groups and government agencies to ensure multi jurisdictional cooperation;
Train conservation groups on Islands Trust Fund systems where local data input is applicable;
Research and incorporate other government, non-government, and local data to assist in analysis of possible conservation initiatives; and
Represent the Island Trust Fund by serving on provincial, national, and international inter-agency advisory and technical groups whose focus is species and ecosystem conservation and restoration.
3. Property Management (40%)
a. Negotiate property management agreements with local groups for Islands Trust Fund properties;
b. Identify and evaluate public safety issues and potential risks to ecological values on properties owned or covenanted by the Islands Trust Fund. Report to the Islands Trust Fund Board risks of liability and make recommendations to remedy such risk;
c. Contract consultants to create property management plans and attend public meetings when management plans for Islands Trust Fund properties are being prepared;
d. Develop, implement and evaluate a program for annual monitoring of Islands Trust Fund properties; ensuring that the monitoring methodology and process meets legal and legislated requirements;
e. Investigate violations of covenants and make recommendations to the Trust Fund Board as to appropriate actions and follow up;
f. Work with legal counsel to remedy violation and/or proceed with enforcement and court action;
g. Identify, develop and supervise a work program for property management initiatives (e.g. property surveys, signs, trail maintenance, house improvements) undertaken by management groups, contractors or caretakers of property owned by Islands Trust Fund properties; and
h. Negotiate and administer endowment funds for the purpose of property management and restoration.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have the following:
Education
Masters degree in ecology, environmental sciences, geography, resource management or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Training in digital mapping and analysis techniques, field level resource assessment techniques, provincial standards for data analysis and land use planning.
Experience
1. Master’s degree and two years experience or Bachelor’s degree and four years experience;
2. Proven success in administering land trust tools such as conservation covenants and acquisitions;
3. Experience in applying and interpreting government policies and procedures relating to land use planning, wildlife and natural resource management; and
4. Experience in developing and implementing public service programs and projects involving land.
Knowledge
Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems, as well as digital cartography and mapping systems with a working knowledge of remote sensing;
Knowledge of biophysical and baseline inventory techniques;
An understanding of terrain/soils classification, ecological field sampling, air photo interpretation, mapping and database development; and field sampling;
Advanced knowledge of threatened and endangered species habitat needs on the Gulf Islands;
Knowledge of the various stakeholder groups required in order to conduct an inclusive and complete consultation process;
6. Broad knowledge of current legislation for property management, natural resource and land use planning;
7. Excellent knowledge of data administration, data modeling and database administration;
8. General knowledge of Gulf Island ecosystems including plants, wildlife, habitat protection, and resource management;
9. Knowledge of government budget and contract management, and reporting policies and procedures;
10. Knowledge of project management theories and practices.
Skills and Abilities
1. Ability to provide both professional and technical advice and direction in terrestrial ecology;
2. Excellent understanding of the current ecological classification systems used in British Columbia;
3. Ability to plan, organize and direct own work while providing technical direction to other staff;
4. Ability to communicate technical information effectively both orally and in writing to experts and laypersons;
5. Must exhibit a high degree of tact, judgment and initiative in the performance of duties;
6. Demonstrated ability to work on large and complex data sets;
7. Demonstrated skill in developing and participating in a team environment;
8. Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects over multi-year timeframes;
9. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative strategies and methodologies;
10. Ability to plan and organize effectively;
11. Ability to facilitate group sessions and communicate effectively;
12. Good communication skills including public speaking and presentation skills;
13. Good project management skills, especially related to property management;
14. Proven ability to oversee projects to successful completion within strict deadlines and within budget;
15. Ability to supervise and provide leadership to highly trained and qualified staff and consultants;
16. Ability to maintain confidentiality; and
17. Ability to use MS Outlook, Word, Excel and Explorer.
Clare Frater
Communications and Fundraising
Islands Trust Fund
200-1627 Fort Street
Victoria BC V8R 1H8
Phone: (250) 405-5171
Fax: (250) 405-5155
cfrater@islandstrust.bc.ca