Manager, Ecology and Community Conservation

Grow your career at one of the most unique workplaces in Calgary and join the Conservation & Science team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo We are looking for a **Manager, Ecology & Community Conservation.** Reporting to the Senior Manager, Community Conservation, the Manager, Ecology and Community Conservation will advance the mission of Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo by managing species conservation program activities with both internal and external parties. The Manager, Ecology and Community Conservation will build and foster collaborative relationships with local and Indigenous communities, academia, government, industry, and other relevant parties to advance program goals and the Wilder Institute’s mission and vision. The position will work with relevant communities to identify conservation, capacity and livelihood needs and aid in designing programming to address these needs while building the general knowledge base and toolkit for community conservation, particularly with Indigenous communities. The position will support and facilitate research to provide science-based advice to contribute to informing species management decisions and/or the development of policies, guidelines, or best practices for species at risk, and associated development of peer-reviewed publications and reports. They will supervise and mentor program associate(s) and field staff and provide guidance regarding program decisions to internal and external partners to take and inspire conservation actions.

**Our Mission** | Take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places

**Our Values** | Effective collaboration and communication, honesty and integrity, customer focus, safety, and conservation

**What you will do**:

- Project management including adaptive, culturally sensitive and knowledge-based decision-making, including consultation and coordination with external agencies and internal departments, to develop and implement future project directions and strategies while meeting project objectives.
- Build and foster strong collaborations with partner organizations and representatives from local and Indigenous communities, academia, government, industry and other stakeholders to advance collective projects or initiatives.
- Develop and steward respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, leaders, and organizations, including regular and ongoing open communication.
- Regularly travel to and spend time on-site in project communities as needed.
- Identify conservation and capacity needs within community conservation initiatives and co-design effective programs and budgets to help address needs.
- Implement or guide implementation of the collection of biological and socio-economic data for adaptive management, evaluation, and publication, as needed to fill critical knowledge gaps and monitor program progress.
- Ensure adherence to the First Nations principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) for Indigenous data.
- Work closely with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s Animal Care, Health and Wellness teams to co-develop and co-manage any aspects of the conservation program that involve conservation breeding, headstarting, translocations, and/or to provide animal health or care expertise for both in situ and ex situ populations.
- Work collaboratively with recovery teams to develop evidence-based reintroduction plans for conservation translocations of at-risk species, and subsequent monitoring plans
- Support priority species at-risk research, with the aim of publication in peer-review journals, including co-supervision and collaboration with external agencies as appropriate.
- Participate in or lead internal or external teams and working/advisory groups.
- Communicate project results and progress to managers, executive team, communications team, media, researchers, and public audiences. This includes being available for media interviews, key partner and donor meetings and other relevant meetings as required.
- Financial responsibility for developing and managing project budget and monthly expense reporting.
- Supervise, direct work, and evaluate performance of program associate(s), field technicians, and/or students.
- Assist in drafting collaboration and funding agreements for program initiatives.
- Work with the Fund Development team to support fund-raising efforts, including providing content for reporting to donors and facilitating field site visits for donors and staff.
- Assist with other departmental needs associated with the Conservation & Science Department or other Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo initiatives as needed.

**What you will bring**:

- Graduate degree (Masters or higher) in a relevant discipline
- 5+ years of expertise relevant to community conservation or community engagement
- Excellent project management skills
- Experience in or knowledge of conservation biology. Knowledge of conservation translocations and/or plant conservation an asset
- A passion for evidence-base