Conservation Coordinator, Ocean Program (Bilingual)

POSITION TYPE: Full time, 1 year with possibility of extension.

LOCATION: Flexible; Canada.

LANGUAGE: Strong English and French written, oral, and comprehension skills required.

SALARY RANGE: $55,000 commesurate with experience. Plus a competitive benefit package.

POSTING DATE: April 2025

DEADLINE: 17th April 2025

START DATE: 28 May 2025

About the Organization

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (www.cpaws.org) is a national charitable organization with 13 chapters across Canada, almost 140 staff, and hundreds of volunteers who have helped to protect over half a million square kilometers of Canada’s public land and water, since 1963.

Our conservation vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of both wildlife and humans.

CPAWS National is based on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation and works in both unceded and treaty lands of First Nations, Métis and Inuit throughout the country known as Canada. CPAWS is committed to operating in a way that upholds justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). Our goal is to create an inclusive place for people from diverse backgrounds.

About the Role

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) National Office is looking for a superstar coordinator to join our National Ocean Program. This is an exciting opportunity for an early career ocean conservationist to build their experience in all aspects of our work from research and policy analysis to event planning and communications. Our mission is to support the establishment and management of effective, well-managed marine protected areas (MPAs), Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and other conservation tools, through a framework of reconciliation. Because we are a small team, you will take on a wide range of activities to support the protection of coastal and ocean ecosystems across Canada. On any given day, that means you could be writing content for a report or working with a small team to develop a campaign strategy.

This role will report to the National Manager, Ocean Program, and will work with the Land and Freshwater Program, Communications and Operations teams as well as regional Chapters.

About You
You have broad knowledge of marine protected areas (MPAs), marine spatial planning, fisheries science and/or marine ecology. Interdisciplinary and adaptable by nature, you are looking for a role that offers diversity and new challenges. You are good with people and excel working in collaborative settings but are equally happy working independently. You are a self-starter and creative problem solver; the type of person to roll up your sleeves and get the job done. You are fluent in French and ideally have experience with GIS.

Responsibilities:

1.       Program Coordination and Support (40%)

A.      Support the Ocean, Conservation, Communications teams and Chapters in the development and delivery of national and regional projects and campaigns.

B.      Writing content for public and decision makers, including our annual CPAWS reports in collaboration with other members of the conservation team.

C.     Working with the Conservation team, National Office Communications staff and others on the development of strategies and content for campaigns and projects.

D.     Supporting communications staff with the development of communications materials, including CPAWS websites, media releases, print documents, direct mail, E-newsletters, etc., relating to projects led by the conservation team. 

E.       Collaborating closely with Land and Freshwater Program staff on common projects and work closely with other national conservation staff to assist with projects as needed.

2.       Other Coordination & Administration (35%)

A.      Assisting with planning and running meetings of the Ocean team, Chapters, and coalitions as required. This may include scheduling, agenda development, note-taking, and facilitation.

B.      Maintaining regular communication with staff at CPAWS Chapters across the country and finding opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

C.     Participating in CPAWS staff, coalition, and project meetings as required.

D.     Supporting organizational efforts to advance Indigenous-led conservation, decolonization/ reconciliation, and Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity. 

E.       Keeping personal and project work plans up to date to ensure timely cross-functional collaboration. 

3.       Public Affairs (5%)

A.      With other Conservation team members, coordinating and supporting the development of federal policy briefs, submissions, and participation in consultations on ocean conservation policy related to CPAWS’ Ocean Program and campaign areas, including lobbying.

4.       Funding Support (5%)

A.      Working with the National Manager, Ocean Program to support fundraising efforts for your work, including grant writing and reporting.

B.      Providing content for written updates to the National Board of Trustees, major donors, monthly donors and others on conservation work and successes as needed.

5.       Research & Analysis (10%)

A.      Track legal, policy and scientific developments and changes undertake desk-based analyses and research and develop summaries and briefs, as required.

B.      Maintain datasets and libraries for the National Ocean Program

6.       Other duties (5%)

A.      Assisting with the planning of annual conservation planning meetings.

B.      Participation in staff meetings, retreats, and events.

C.     Engaging with internal processes (e.g. working groups) and training.

Essential Assets:

●      Eligibility to work in Canada (citizenship, permanent residence, or a valid work permit).

●      Demonstrable understanding of Marine Protected Areas and marine conservation, especially in the Canadian context.

●      Relevant educational experience, or equivalent training or experience (please describe how your education and/or experience is relevant to this role in your cover letter and resume).

●      Sharp written and verbal communications skills and a strong creative streak.

●      Excellent organizational skills and an eye for detail.

●      An inclusive, collegial, and collaborative work ethic with strong team-work skills.

●      A commitment to Indigenous reconciliation and anti-racism.

●      Fluency in French.

You may have:

•       Experience working or volunteering in non-profit/ charitable sector, or in campaigning or community organizing.

•       Experience working with Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

•       GIS skills.

•        Experience coordinating and leading collaborative projects and juggling multiple tasks.

CPAWS is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including applicants from all cultures, racialized communities, abilities, diverse sexual and gender identities, and others who may contribute to equitable representation and diversity of perspectives and ideas. We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier-free. To learn more about the action we’re taking, please visit the CPAWS website.

Please contact us if you should require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process at