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Forests Community Liaison

Job ID6A-51-7C-D6-D6-BF
CompanySierra Club of BC
LocationVictoria
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Date Posted2020-07-30
Posted Until2020-08-29
Job TypeFull-time
Job CategoryMiscellaneous
Description
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Sierra Club of British Columbia Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization whose mission is to support people stewarding abundant ecosystems and a stable climate, while building resilient, equitable communities. Our overarching goal is to uplift grassroots-led change in response to the climate emergency and ecosystem collapse. To do this, we engage with and learn from diverse communities and knowledge systems, including communities most impacted by the ecological challenges we all face. In particular, we are committed to learning from the governance systems of the Indigenous Nations on whose territories we live and work. Learn more here.

Sierra Club BC is expanding and filling a number of exciting new roles over the coming months. This is an opportunity to join a dynamic team in a growing organization that is in the early stages of implementing its new vision and strategic plan. We pay a living wage to all staff and are committed to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion in both our hiring practices and work environment. We encourage women, people of Indigenous ancestry, people of colour, LGBTQIA2SP individuals and members of other diverse communities to apply for careers with our organization. We are committed to building and maintaining a work environment that is welcoming to people who bring diverse ways of seeing, knowing and communicating to our work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Forest Community Liaison, you’ll develop and enact relational, community organizing strategies in support of Sierra Club BC’s strategic plan and forest campaign goals, as part of the organizing and forest teams. You will find respectful ways to uplift local leaders around the province to speak out and be involved in forest conservation initiatives in their local communities, as well as lobbying for improved forest management policies.

In this position, your work will support and strengthen networks of community groups who are concerned about the interconnected impacts of current forest management on community health and resiliency, including on water, Indigenous cultures and jurisdiction, climate, flooding, salmon, old-growth conservation and endangered species. You understand that building power for shifting policy comes from local leadership that is grounded in community networks and traditions and that re-imagines community economic futures.

As the successful candidate, you are someone who can think strategically and creatively, and you know how to translate technical details of science and policy into clear, accessible and engaging storytelling that inspires people to take action. You have the ability to communicate and build relationships with diverse communities, approach intercultural relationships with listening and humility, and are keen to learn from local perspectives. Through lived experience related to resource stewardship, you know what it is like for forest-dependent communities across the north and in the interior.
You bring a solid knowledge of and commitment to environmental and social justice issues in B.C. You have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. You are passionate about bringing positive change to the land and waters known as British Columbia, and all the living beings who call this place home.

In this position, you will collaboratively work with and be responsive to the advice and counsel of the Campaigns Director. You will work closely with the Lead Organizer as well as the Coastal Projects Lead, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner, and Forest Relations Coordinator.

Although our office is in Victoria on Lekwungen peoples territory, we are seeking and will prioritize applicants who live outside of urban centers and who are willing to work remotely from anywhere in B.C.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Please note: these responsibilities are what we hope for and hope to build on. They can be adjusted and adapted depending on the unique strengths that you bring to the role.
• Co-develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of Sierra Club BC’s community organizing, in support of our Strategic Plan 2020-2023 and forest campaign
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous local leaders across the province to identify and uplift concerns related to forest management and conservation
• Facilitate spaces for community dialogue that build support for re-imagining community futures
• Draw out community wisdom and build capacity for moving forward together, for example by offering training, organizing and strategy support to existing and emerging community groups across the province (including support for their public communications, government relations strategy, local initiatives and organizing)
• Synthesize what is heard from community groups in order to amplify community stories and bring them forward to governments, Sierra Club BC communications, and to inform the Sierra Club BC team (participate in government relations meetings, write communications materials, provide messaging suggestions to the Sierra Club BC communications team regarding how to most effectively communicate with residents of resource-based and rural communities)
• Engage with Indigenous and environmental provincial organizations focused on water and forests to facilitate conversations to highlight the interconnections, identify and pursue opportunities for joint initiatives, and to act as a liaison between organizations working on water and those working on forest conservation
• Working with community leaders, compile – and be able to share in accessible language that engages more local leaders – policy alternatives related to forest, water and salmon conservation that can help build community resilience and ecosystem abundance
• Act as Sierra Club BC spokesperson as needed
• Work collaboratively with the Lead Organizer, Digital Systems Coordinator and other key staff to implement a framework to move digital supporters along ladders of engagement that encourage increasing involvement in community organizing
• Track and evaluate outcomes, contribute to grant writing and reporting

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

You have experience, knowledge and abilities in some of the following:
• Demonstrated ability for community consultation, collaboration, and organizing (experience with relational organizing an asset)
• Personal experience living and working in a resource-based community that will aid your ability to connect credibly and build relationships with people living in rural communities
• You have experience working in Indigenous and non-Indigenous contexts, and are comfortable navigating intercultural dynamics
• Knowledge of forest, salmon and/or water policy would be an asset, for example management, economics, tenure systems, conservation, and Indigenous law and governance, including what the barriers to change might be
• You understand the interconnections between the climate and ecological crisis and racialized thinking within colonial structures
• Personal commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
• You support the assertion of Indigenous jurisdiction and Indigenous-led land and water stewardship
• You are able to facilitate all levels of conversations in polarized situations in a way that makes everyone feel heard and invites all voices into finding solutions
• Communications skills that can bridge worldviews, for example sharing community-based stories and policy analysis
• Self-directed, motivated, able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Comfortable navigating digital engagement tools, particularly while COVID-19 restrictions continue

COMPENSATION

• This is a 1 year, full-time, temporary staff position, with possibility of extension, at 37.5 hours/week, $25.52-27.77 per hour, subject to experience.
• Includes 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Applicants interested in a three- or four-day/week position over a longer period of time are also welcome to apply (please state this clearly in your application).
Start DateSeptember
Salary$25.52-27.77 Per Hour
LanguagesEnglish
How To Apply• Submit your application with the words “Application for Forest Community Liaison” in the subject line to caitlyn@sierraclub.bc.ca
• NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Only those candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.
• Applications will be reviewed starting on August 24th. The call for applications will remain open until the position is filled.