Title: Protected Areas Applied Ecologist Classification: Scientific/Technical Officer

JOB PROFILE JOB STORE #298

TITLE: PROTECTED AREAS APPLIED ECOLOGIST CLASSIFICATION: SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL OFFICER (RESOURCE) 27

MINISTRY: ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY WORK UNIT: BC PARKS, PROVINCIAL SERVICES BRANCH

PROGRAM BC Parks is entrusted with promoting and guiding the effective management, conservation and protection of the natural, recreational and cultural heritage values in the province’s protected areas system, one of the largest systems in North America. The BC protected areas system comprises over 1000 protected areas that cover 14% of the provincial land base and almost half a million hectares (or approximately 1%) of BC’s coastal and ocean area, forming the cornerstone of biodiversity protection in the province. The Conservation Section at BC Parks is responsible for setting provincial policy and guidance in these program areas, in addition to working with partners inside and outside of government to implement principles of conservation biology to protect biodiversity.

JOB OVERVIEW This position coordinates and leads the research, analysis, development and implementation of policies and legislation for and on behalf of the BC Parks Conservation Program. Although the day to day work of this position will include a broad range of park-related conservation issues, this position will also bring some preferred knowledge / skills to the BC Parks Conservation Program. You will lead BC Parks policy and guidance related to conservation and protected area management. You will maintain expertise and provide advice in applied ecology in a protected areas setting. You will work closely with staff in the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy and Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development. You will represent BC Parks as a significant provincial land and water manager in a number of intergovernmental settings. As a key resource for regions, you will liaise and provide policy advice and guidance regularly to operational staff and volunteers. You will provide applied science advice related to protected areas to decision makers, staff and ministry executive. As a result, you will need to work both at a park specific and landscape level scale. You are a multi-tasker with a knack for collaboration and influence that enjoys employing your expertise to achieve results on the ground.

This position reports to the Manager, Conservation at BC Parks.

ACCOUNTABILITIES Required:

Career Group: Scientific/Technical Job Family: Resource Management Job Stream: Biology Role: Professional Revised Date: August 2011  Analyzes and identifies ecological, social, economic, legal and political issues associated with program objectives, assesses competing and/or conflicting priorities, identifies risks and issues, and recommends strategic policy alternatives or significant changes to program operations or service delivery.  Provides advice and recommendations on legislation, policy and programs to senior management, ministry executive and government officials.  Researches, develops and writes regulations, technical guides, publications, presentations, legislative summaries, briefing notes and Cabinet Submissions, Treasury Board Submissions, Requests for Legislation and public discussion papers.  Represents the ministry on intra and inter-ministry working committees formed to develop strategic policy concepts and supporting documentation.  Provides specialist advice to professional staff in the interpretation and application of provincial legislation, regulations, policies, best practices/new developments and assists with the resolution of complex environmental and natural resource management issues in a protected area context.  Develops management strategies and plans in field of expertise.  Oversees and maintains specific program areas, including budget management and program evaluation.  Models, simulates and forecasts environmental impacts and stewardship scenarios in a protected areas setting; including long term change as a result of changing climate.  Manages protected area conservation tools, such as BC Parks’ Impact Assessment process, Conservation Risk Assessment, Long Term Ecological Monitoring.  Leads province wide projects and leads project planning sessions to determine project scope, define deliverables, develop charters, lead project staff and pursue funding.  Develops and promotes working relationships with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and government agencies to achieve program or project objectives.  Conducts and/or oversees scientific initiatives to develop, implement and promote innovative solutions related to protected area and natural resource management.  Evaluates the program and identifies opportunities to improve effectiveness and makes recommendations to senior management.  Prepares and/or negotiates contracts, monitors performance and authorizes payment.  Maintains currency with the scientific literature in areas of specialty and protected area management.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:  Degree in biological sciences, natural resource management, or equivalent plus 5 years’ related experience; OR,

Career Group: Scientific/Technical Job Family: Resource Management Job Stream: Biology Role: Professional Revised Date: August 2011  Master of Science in biological sciences or natural resource management, with 4 years’ related experience; OR,  PhD in biological sciences or natural resource management, with 3 years’ related experience; OR,  Other equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered; i.e. Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio) and 7 years’ related experience.

Related Experience:  Experience providing scientific advice to scientists and non-scientists, decision-makers and other agencies in natural resource management.  Experience managing complex and sensitive natural resource management issues/projects in a team environment.  Demonstrated project or policy leadership experience, including working collaboratively with internal and external teams to solve natural resource management challenges.  Experience in negotiating/mediating natural resource solutions or partnerships with external and internal stakeholder groups.  Experience in concisely and persuasively writing a range of documents/content.

Preference may be given to applicants with experience in one or more of the following:  Ecology and management of large natural landscapes, including issues related to landscape connectivity, ecosystem representation, and climate change adaptation.  Identification and ecology of a range of terrestrial flora, habitats, and ecosystems relevant to the British Columbia protected areas system.  General protected area conservation and management, or a field of applied ecology that is directly related.  Working with and developing provincial, federal, and/or local government natural resource legislation and policy.

Career Group: Scientific/Technical Job Family: Resource Management Job Stream: Biology Role: Professional Revised Date: August 2011 Knowledge:  Working knowledge of applied ecology, conservation biology and ecosystems management theory, concepts and practices.  Knowledge of current natural resource management and land/water use issues in British Columbia.  Working knowledge of project and contract management.

Skills and Abilities:  Strong written and oral communication skills, presentation skills, and interpersonal skills.  Ability to effectively bring leadership to and work with diverse and strong professionals, to enhance the conservation program at BC Parks and to build strong external relationships to other parts of the ministry, governments, academia and NGO’s.  Ability to provide professional leadership, negotiate agreements, exert influence, achieve consensus, maintain credibility, and co-operate effectively with diverse peers, agencies, non- government organizations, contractors and subordinates.  Ability to conduct public consultation processes dealing with environmental management issues.  Must exhibit a high degree of tact, judgement, and initiative.  Demonstrated flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines under pressure.  Ability to manage budgets and program evaluations.  Valid B.C. driver’s licence (equivalent to BC Class 5).  Meet safety standards of WorkSafe BC.  May conduct field work which may include the following: travel to remote areas by vehicle, boat, air or foot, overnight or extended stay in rough camp conditions and outdoor work in all weather conditions.  Ability to carry equipment and supplies in difficult terrain.  Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as required by the ministry (Note: It is important that you read the job posting carefully to understand the specific security screening requirements pertaining to the position).

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES  Teamwork and Cooperation is the ability to work co-operatively within diverse teams, work groups and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals.  Results Orientation is a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one's own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement). Thus, a unique accomplishment also indicates a Results Orientation.

Career Group: Scientific/Technical Job Family: Resource Management Job Stream: Biology Role: Professional Revised Date: August 2011  Service Orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the public, co-workers, other branches/divisions, other ministries/agencies, other government organizations, and non-government organizations. It means focusing one’s efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.  Analytical Thinking is the ability to comprehend a situation by breaking it down into its components and identifying key or underlying complex issues. It implies the ability to systematically organize and compare the various aspects of a problem or situation, and determines cause-and-effect relationships (“if…then…”) to resolve problems in a sound, decisive manner.  Planning, Organizing and Coordinating involves proactively planning, establishing priorities and allocating resources. It is expressed by developing and implementing increasingly complex plans. It also involves monitoring and adjusting work to accomplish goals and deliver to the organization’s mandate.  Strategic Orientation is the ability to link long-range visions and concepts to daily work, ranging from a simple understanding to a sophisticated awareness of the impact of the world at large on strategies and on choices Impact and Influence is the ability to influence, persuade, or convince others to adopt a specific course of action. It involves the use of persuasive techniques, presentations or negotiation skills to achieve desired results.  Conceptual Thinking is the ability to identify patterns or connections between situations that are not obviously related, and to identify key or underlying issues in complex situations. It includes using creative, conceptual or inductive reasoning or thought processes that are not necessarily categorized by linear thinking.  Engaging External Partners identifies and involves external stakeholders in order to foster long term partnerships.

The above competencies complement the required accountabilities for this position. For more information about behavioural interviews, competency definitions, and to watch interview videos, please visit: Competencies in the BC Public Service

Career Group: Scientific/Technical Job Family: Resource Management Job Stream: Biology Role: Professional Revised Date: August 2011