“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

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
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!

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.

Water First

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Project Manager - Environmental Water