Position Summary

WCS Canada is seeking an individual to join our Northern Boreal Mountains program as an Indigenous-led Conservation Specialist, leading our partnerships with First Nations in Yukon and northern British Columbia (BC) to advance shared values and goals for conservation.

Position Objectives

• Build WCS Canada – Kaska Nations partnerships with each of the Nations and their partner organizations, as well as other organizations within Yukon and northern B.C., based on the mutual interest and understanding of shared values and goals related to conservation and stewardship of lands, water, and animals.
• Lead WCS Canada efforts to work with and support Kaska Nations in pursuit of a shared vision for protection and stewardship of lands and waters in their traditional territory, including by providing scientific, technical, or other knowledge and expertise to Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, Land Guardian Programs, and management of cumulative effects of industrial land use and climate change on species, ecosystems, and biocultural values.
• Contribute to the Northern Boreal Mountains Vision and Strategies by supporting Indigenous-led conservation, conducting research on biodiversity and threats, and strategically engaging in policy development and reform through new projects, partnerships, and collaborations.

Principal Responsibilities

• Develop Kaska First Nations – WCS Canada relationships based on mutual respect, reciprocity, and shared values and goals and work closely with Kaska leadership to be responsive and adapt to needs and opportunities as they arise (involves travel, meetings, attending community events, and participating in ceremonies and gatherings where invited).
• Work with Kaska First Nations, and other organizations and partners, to identify opportunities to collaborate on research and projects that share and create knowledge to support lands and water relationship planning, and improve understanding of ecological, cultural, and socio-economic values within Kaska Traditional Lands including the cumulative impacts of development climate change on these values.
• Provide scientific, technical, or other knowledge and expertise that supports Kaska Nations in their pursuit of legal protection and governance of IPCAs, development and implementation of Land Guardian programs, responses to impact and cumulative assessments of major projects, input on public policy engagement, and other areas as identified by Kaska where our contribution will be beneficial for advancing Kaska’s vision for their homelands and territories and our shared values and goals.  

Additional Responsibilities

• Support the co-Directors of the WCS Canada Northern Boreal Mountain Program and other NBM staff in delivery of NBM programs and activities, including strategic planning, grant management, relationship-building, and communications and outreach.
• This position may also work with other First Nations within the NBM region to support Indigenous-led Conservation, including through land and water relationship planning, research and other knowledge production, and input on relevant policy development and implementation.

• Develop and manage budgets related to this position.
• Develop, implement and manage an annual work plan.
• Actively participate in fundraising proposals and reports for the Northern Boreal Mountain program in collaboration with the WCS Canada Development Team, including donor relations.
• Engage and collaborate with WCS Canada national and regional programs and participate in relevant working groups.
• Contribute to WCS Canada’s external and internal communications, including sharing program specific media content, developing communication plans for upcoming publications, etc.

• Support WCS Canada’s goal of transforming WCS Canada’s conservation practice through reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
• Contribute to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that promotes engagement and belonging.

Required Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Hiring preference will be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as First Nation from our program area; or another Canadian Indigenous ancestry.

• Interdisciplinary thinker with awareness and respect for different knowledge systems, worldviews, and ways of knowing, being, and doing, particularly in the context of Indigenous-led conservation and governance in northern regions.
• Experience working with First Nation governments, communities, and/or citizens on land and water relationship planning, such as IPCAs or regional land use planning, and/or stewardship and monitoring activities, such as Land Guardian programs.
• Knowledge of biodiversity, ecosystems, and/or biocultural values in northern boreal systems, and the application of large-landscape conservation, cumulative effects assessment, socio-cultural systems, and/or climate-change adaptation.
• Familiarity with Yukon’s land claims and self-governing agreements, the Aboriginal Rights and Title of unceded First Nations, UNDRIP, and FPIC; knowledge of Federal, Territorial, and/or Provincial legislation and policy relevant to Indigenous-led conservation and biodiversity conservation is beneficial.
• Excellent people skills with demonstrated experience in cross-cultural situations and experience or ability in building and nurturing relationships with governments, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations to achieve goals of the NBM and First Nation partners.

• Proficiency and experience with word processing (MS Word), spreadsheets (MS Excel), presentations (MS PowerPoint), and email and video conferencing platforms (e.g. Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Zoom, etc.).
• Must possess a valid BC or Yukon Driver’s License and interest in regular travel between Yukon and northern B.C. communities and to/from Whitehorse.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team on multiple projects concurrently.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

• Strong problem-solving skills, detail oriented, and resourceful.
• A passion for the conservation of nature and wildlife.
• A post-secondary education in Indigenous Governance, Indigenous-led Conservation, Biology, Environmental Science, First Nation studies, Land Planning, or related field is beneficial.
• Applicants with lived experience for any of the core qualifications will be considered.

Other Desirable Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• The ability to do primary research is considered an asset.
• The ability to strategically engage in government relations and/or policy development and reform is considered an asset.
• Experience preparing proposals, reports, briefing notes, and presentations (virtual and in-person) is considered an asset.
• Experience with financial management of programs and grants is considered an asset.