Specialist, Forest Conservation

**Benefits of Working at WWF-Canada**:
You’ll work with a team of passionate people interested in creating a Canada with abundant wildlife, where nature and people thrive. Here are some other benefits of working here:

- Competitive salary
- Health and dental benefits
- Paid vacation time and personal days
- Training and development budget to support your professional goals
- Flexible working arrangements and telecommuting

**Wildlife and Industry** Hybrid - Work from any WWF-Canada office Preference to be Hybrid from Thunder Bay, ON, or Work From Home in Northern Ontario or Central Interior, British Columbia
**Starting Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000**

**Overview**:
WWF-Canada’s 10-year plan to Regenerate Canada aims to expand large-scale resilient habitats, undertake complex ecosystem restoration, and reduce or eliminate industrial impacts and, as a result, reverse wildlife and biodiversity loss and fight climate change. It’s an exciting time for WWF-Canada as we focus on improving ecosystem resilience in ways that bring benefits for wildlife, Indigenous and other communities, and climate.

**Position Description**

The Specialist, Forest Conservation will work to reduce or eliminate threats to large-scale ecosystem productivity from forestry-related activities in WWF-Canada’s focus regions including but not limited to northern Ontario and Interior BC. This role will support forest conservation consistent with collaborative conservation approaches, and restoration and protection initiatives led by First Nations, Métis, and other local communities. The Specialist will build partnerships and collaboration with First Nations, Metis, local communities, Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments, and where appropriate the forestry sector to influence WWF-Canada’s national and provincial regulatory and policy agenda, to increase habitat viability and ecosystem carbon storage and sequestration, and to reduce destruction and conversion of forest and related ecosystems.

**Responsibilities**:

- Maintain critical knowledge of terrestrial conservation, restoration and maintenance of complex forest ecosystems, and the forestry sector in Canada, including impacts of forestry on ecosystems and communities, while remaining aware of best practices to sustain the well-being of ecosystems and communities.
- Identify and stay abreast of forestry issues, policies, legislation, and strategic approaches to resource management, using that knowledge to advance priorities to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen and secure carbon stored in Canada’s forest ecosystems.
- Develop initiatives and working partnerships related to local forest conservation projects in WWF-Canada’s priority regions such as the B.C. Central Interior, Northern Ontario, and the Southern Ontario-Quebec corridor.
- Identify, connect with, and develop relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Metis, local communities, relevant business and commercial interests, government staff, other ENGOs, and academic experts, among others, to maximize benefits for wildlife, climate, and communities.
- Collaborate with First Nations and Métis communities to ensure all of WWF-Canada’s efforts support their priorities and rights, and are consistent with Indigenous knowledge and governance structures.
- Liaise with the WWF-International Network on the Forest Forward initiative, forestry certification schemes and standards, and with industry and corporate interests to implement best practices around nature-based solutions.
- Collaborate and provide guidance on wildlife and industry issues to WWF-Canada’s other Conservation units and other divisions including Marketing & Communications, and Development.
- Track progress towards WWF-Canada’s Regenerate Canada’s goals and targets using established indicators, and actively support a culture of accountability for execution and results.
- Represent WWF-Canada at external fora such as conferences and meetings, as assigned.

**Qualifications**:

- Completion of a post-secondary education in Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Studies/Science, Geography, or other relevant area of study. A related post-graduate education considered an asset, and 4+ years of professional experience related to forest management (e.g., planning, policy, conservation, operations) and/or supporting Indigenous communities **_OR _**Completion of a post-gradudate degree in Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Studies/Science, Geography, or other relevant area of study. A related post-graduate education considered an asset, and 2+ years of professional experience related to forest management (e.g., planning, policy, conservation, operations) and/or supporting Indigenous communities
- Understanding of forestry activities and issues, including how they impact wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and carbon sinks such as forested lands and wetlands, and potential responses to reduce or eliminate risk to wildli