Job Announcement: Conservation Coordinator

 Organizational Profile 

The Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP) was formed in 2006 to develop and promote effective stewardship and management practices for the Columbia Wetlands. In 2026, we expanded our mandate to provide knowledge, stewardship and coordination to conserve and sustain healthy ecosystems in the Upper Columbia watershed. Our partnership is dedicated to engaging the general public and working with all levels of government (municipal, provincial, federal and First Nations) to implement a shared stewardship model for the management of the upper Columbia River, the Columbia Wetlands and the Columbia Valley watersheds as a connected landscape. 

Position Description 

CWSP is seeking an experienced Conservation Coordinator. This individual should have strong organizational skills and a passion for communicating about conservation science and policy and advancing collaborative outcomes.

The purpose of this position is to work within CWSP’s partnership and with external groups to ensure that collaborative approaches and multi-disciplinary knowledge are guiding where and how we do our work and informing our collective stewardship outcomes. Most of the work will be in the Columbia Valley and East Kootenays. 

The successful candidate should enjoy working with conservation and stewardship advocates, researchers and policy makers to ensure our strategies and tactics are informed by science. They should also be inspired by creating and supporting diverse collaboratives that directly advance conservation and stewardship by working across the conservation spectrum, with Indigenous Peoples, and all levels of government. They should have demonstrated coordination and communication skills to strategically manage and communicate to small groups and larger coalitions.

This individual will report to CWSP’s Board of Directors and will coordinate internal communication within the partnership and external communication with stakeholders in addition to assisting  with CWSP’s fundraising and administration. The person will be supervised by the Board  Co-Chairs. The Conservation Coordinator position is part time, but there is additional opportunity for field work assisting with water monitoring and wetland science in the summers, if desired.

Responsibilities 

Manage CWSP and advance its strategic directions and actions that align with the organizational mission and new strategic plan and help guide where and how we do our work. To do this will require: 

Work with CWSP Board of Directors to communicate and coordinate activities among Columbia Valley organizations and Partners.

Work to integrate and satisfy the common goals and objectives of the Partners, local organizations, and governments within the CWSP framework, where possible. 

With CWSP’s Board and Partnership, assist in defining new strategic priorities, integrating new knowledge, and identifying pathways for the organization to collaboratively achieve effective conservation actions and outcomes in the Upper Columbia Watershed over the next five years. 

Support CWSP’s strategic planning process by directly engaging with partners to ensure their key issues, opportunities, and challenges are reflected in CWSP’s new strategic plan. 

Assist with the planning and writing of new and ongoing projects of CWSP. 

Assist with the management of the CWSP website. 

Assist with the management of social media. 

Assist with the writing of CWSP funding applications and budgets. 

Assist with the writing of reports for CWSP.

If the coordinator has additional time and interest, assist with data management, analysis and  possibly some summer field work. 

Candidate Profile: Qualifications preferred 

Undergraduate or graduate degree in environmental sciences, ecological sciences, or policy or communication. 

At least 2 years of experience managing or directing a program or organization. 

Proven track-record of at least 3 years of assembling, leading and engaging in collaborative work with diverse individuals.

Demonstrated experience using science and diverse knowledge to support conservation policy, action and outcomes. 

Thrives in a complex, fast-paced, dynamic environment, with the ability to adjust to changing priorities and respond to opportunities. 

Experience in raising funds and communicating with donors/funders. 

Helpful to have an understanding of the Columbia Valley and players. 

It is preferable (although not required) that the candidate live in Columbia Valley. 

Terms of Employment: 

The position is part-time (~20hr /wk) and offers flexible location within the Columbia Valley.

Salary is commensurate with experience, ranging from $30 to $45/hr.

The anticipated start date is November 1, 2026.

Deadline to apply is October 24, 2026.

For Additional Information & To Apply 

To explore this opportunity further, please send your cover letter and resume in confidence to Suzanne Bayley (sbayley@ualberta.ca) and Kat Hartwig (kat@livinglakescanada.ca). Questions about the position can be directed to Suzanne Bayley or Kat Hartwig. Short preliminary interviews may be held via Zoom. Final interviews may be held in-person or via Zoom.