Climate Change Specialist

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation is Nova Scotia’s technical development agency focusing on the food sector. Our mission is supporting growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood, cannabis, and food and beverage sectors.

Our highly skilled and collaborative team’s mandate is to create value for the industry and the agency through the development and implementation of programs and consulting services. To assist in this effort, we are seeking a Climate Change Specialist based in either Kentville or Truro to join our growing team of employees.

This is an initial 15-month term with Perennia with the option to extend. As the Climate Change Specialist, you will be responsible for working under the Manager of Horticulture but with all the company’s agriculture specialists to support and lead knowledge and technology transfer activities related to moving Nova Scotia’s agriculture sectors toward enhanced resilience when faced with our changing climate and impacts.

This position will also work closely with the Manager of Horticulture on a project supporting the development of three agricultural commodity climate change adaptation strategies and supporting initial implementation of these strategies to enhance agricultural sector readiness for climate change. As such, you will spend time working with people across a range of organizations and play an important role in a broader climate change adaptation community of practice.

**Principal Responsibilities**:

- Collaborate with our team of agriculture specialists in horticulture, livestock, field crops, soils, environment, technology and climate change programs to work with individual producers, commodity associations and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture climate change team, to give advice and develop practical knowledge sharing tools to increase adaptation to climate change in our agriculture sectors
- Develop and collaborate with specialists on applied research projects that answer research questions that lead to effective and innovative climate adaptation solutions for Nova Scotia producers
- Develop and disseminate information to industry through fact sheets, presentations, field days, workshops, videos, etc. to facilitate knowledge transfer and mobilization on farm
- Research sector specific adaptation best practices and processes for sharing with industry and partners
- As part of Perennia’s Climate Adaptation Leadership Program (CALP), support the development of and initial implementation of strategies with three designated industry sectors to assess climate change risks, capacity, and adaptation priorities
- Under CALP, support the association-lead strategy development teams with monitoring, evaluating, and sustaining the sectors’ climate adaption strategies and provide progress updates to relevant stakeholders including Perennia management
- Collaborate in designing and facilitating of interactive and engaging meetings and workshops under CALP, engage and meet with partners, and participate in regularly scheduled peer learning and reflection meetings and events

**In order to excel at this position, the successful applicant will have**:

- Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture, or related field of study with experience (three or more years) in environment, agronomy, or climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture
- Experience must clearly demonstrate your ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team
- Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in climate change, agriculture, and climate adaptation is required (experience preferred)
- Excellent listening and negotiation skills with experience in stakeholder engagement and group facilitation
- Excellent verbal and written communication with demonstrated experience and aptitude for sharing information using a variety of formats, such as factsheets, blogs, videos, podcasts and/or webinars and in-person events
- To excel within this role, you must be imaginative, dedicated, self-directed and organized and be committed to a team environment and working in collaborative manner
- Committed to developing engaging and healthy partnerships with relevant stakeholders within the agricultural sector
- Driver’s license or a reliable alternative form of transportation is required due to the possibility of travel within the province

For more information or to learn about Perennia visit perennia.ca

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Work from home

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Truro, NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

**Experience**:

- Project management: 1 year (preferred)
- climate change: 2 years (required)

**Language**:

- E