Director of Forest Ecology

Our Mandate 

The AFPA is the collective voice of the forest sector in Alberta. We represent companies that manufacture lumber, panelboard, pulp, paper, and secondary manufactured wood products in Alberta.

We exist to ensure that forestry continues to be a thriving and environmentally sustainable industry in the province. We achieve this by responding to the needs of our members and by collaborating with partners and communities to achieve mutual benefit.

We foster success and innovation in the forest sector by providing a broad range of resources, guidance, advocacy, and training for member companies, and we’re also responsible for increasing public understanding of our forest resource and how the forest industry maintains it.

We are committed to being responsible stewards of the environment and to respecting the communities whose livelihoods and well-being are connected to sustainable forests. We support our member companies in meeting and exceeding the rigorous standards that apply to our industry’s work in Alberta.

We are committed to relationships and to working with others in ways that facilitate trust, demonstrate transparency, and create mutual understanding. We are an 80-year-old organization that is committed to preserving forestry and forest livelihoods for the long haul.

AFPA provides a variety of services and supports to its members, including: 

• Advocacy with municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government.  
• Providing information, resources, and capacity in topic areas.  
• Representing AFPA members on initiatives and projects.  
• Taking leadership on forestry-related topics for AFPA members.  
• Creating a collaborative and safe space for competitors to work together to improve the forestry industry.  
• Providing leadership and opportunities for AFPA members to engage in future focused discussions on trends and innovations to provide each member company with the opportunity to prepare for future changes in the workplace, economy, and public opinion. 

The Role 

Alberta Forest Products Association is seeking a Director of Forest Ecology. The Director will be a highly motivated individual with policy and/or industry experience to lead the development and implementation of the association’s activities related to species at risk, land use and forest ecological matters. The role will focus on policy review/policy development and forest sector innovation, including:

• Policy review and policy development: Bringing an understanding of science/knowledge related to sustainable forestry, forest ecology, wildlife ecology, and climate change in the development and review of policy and regulatory tool development. Current focus will be on federal Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, Canadian Navigable Waters Act; and
• Forest Sector Innovation: Supporting Canada’s forest sector, and the role of forestry in mitigating and adapting to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the circular economy.

The Director is part of the Policy Team at AFPA and is responsible for building and fostering relationships with internal and external partners. The position is responsible for monitoring, evaluating, analyzing, communicating and advocating on ecological matters related to forest management. The successful candidate requires a balance of technical expertise and a collaborative approach to solution finding, and be able to:

• Communicate on-the-ground implementation of provincial and federal regulatory tools and industry practices related to sustainability and environmental leadership;
• Represent AFPA at multi-interest advisory committees or forums, interacting with all levels of government, Academia, Non-Government Organizations, and other industry associations;
• Provide support to AFPA, the AFPA Forestry Committee, and AFPA members.

This is a high-impact position requiring strong influencing skills, the ability to lead files and projects, strategic thinking, time management and exceptional communication skills. 

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

Strategy and Implementation:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive advocacy strategies by working with committee members to support their goals and objectives. 
• Invest and maintain critical relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, industry stakeholders, and other key parties to advocate for the industry and promote sustainable practices. 
• Represent and advocate for AFPA members in regulatory proceedings and policy discussions.  
• Identify ecological opportunities and risks for the forestry sector. 

Facilitation and Reporting

• Provide guidance and support to member companies on environmental issues related to science/knowledge related to sustainable forestry, forest ecology, wildlife ecology, and climate change
• Provide regular updates and reports to the association's leadership team and members. 
• Produce information updates to AFPA members on trends and issues.  
• Participate in and lead relevant agenda items at the Forest Management Committee and other policy committees as required. Lead multiple working groups to identify policy positions and plan collaborative advocacy efforts.  
• Chair meetings/working groups and task teams to achieve consensus on potentially controversial issues or topics with differing opinions.  

Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and analyze all wildlife, biodiversity and land use issues impacting forestry, including proposed and enacted legislation, and provide regular updates to members. 
• Develop and maintain metrics to measure the success of ecological policy matters.

Key skills and experience required

The Director of Forest Ecology has primary responsibility for advocacy on issues such as science/knowledge related to forest management, forest ecology, wildlife ecology, and climate change.

In this role, the Director must take the initiative to achieve goals and resolve problems before they arise; identify common elements, themes and risks in situation and actions; and take a longer-range perspective of problems and situations (big picture thinker).

The Director works with considerable independence in dealing with highly technical, innovative, leading edge and complex work, with numerous ambiguities. Considerable expertise of the industry and proven ability to make sound judgment decisions is required. The Director will have a high degree of latitude and and responsibility and will be required to prioritize competing member requests, make decisions with members on advocacy strategies and how to work with members to achieve their objectives.

Knowledge of, and relationships with numerous internal and external clients and stakeholders are an asset, including Government of Alberta (i.e. Environment and Protected Areas), the Government of Canada (i.e. Environment and Climate Change Canada) Emissions Reduction Alberta and other related environmental organizations. 

Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge in application of policy tools and conducting analysis (i.e. policy frameworks, cost-benefit analysis, stakeholder analysis, scenario analysis, comparative analysis, surveys and focus groups, statistical analysis and consultation best practices)
• Expertise in ecological knowledge, including species at risk and biodiversity.
• Knowledge of the structure and evolution of forestry industry in Alberta, Canada and globally would be an asset.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality when presented with proprietary information
• Demonstrate the ability to apply both strategic and analytical techniques to provide sound business solutions and recommendations
• Ability to prioritize multiple requirements and define a detailed process to complete required tasks
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with different functional areas
• Excellent communication and media skills (such as presentation skills, report writing, editing, and providing information to the media)
• Demonstrated experience and competency in consultation, facilitation and negotiation
• Highly proficient computer analysis skills: including leading edge knowledge of word processing (Microsoft Word) spreadsheet, database, graphic (Excel, Access, Beyond 20/20) and presentation programs (Power Point), e-mail and Internet applications
• Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback to others
• Well-honed presentation and public speaking skills to present at provincial and national conferences and workshops for professionals across the forestry industry
• Strong organizational and project management skills; effective time management skills to optimize resources and achieve desired results within tight deadlines; and high level of flexibility to deal with rapidly emerging situations

Job details

·     Full Time

·     Primary Location: Edmonton

·     Reporting to the Vice President of Policy

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science/biology, political science, forestry, natural resources or other related field. A Master’s degree is an asset.
• 8+ years of experience in an forestry, biology or ecology position, including experience working with government agencies, industry associations and forestry operations.
• Deep understanding of biology, ecology, or forestry, including knowledge of relevant legislation and policy.

Posting will be up until a Suitable Candidate is Hired