Public Engagement Specialist

  • Contract

Company Description

Join the largest environmental organization in Canada and become an agent of change!

We collaborate with Canadians from all walks of life, including government and business, to conserve our environment and find solutions that will create a sustainable Canada through science-based research, education and policy work. Our foundation is an independent charitable organization supported by 35,000 donors in Canada and abroad. We work from Sea to Sea, in both official languages.

Our Mission

Our mission is to protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future.

Our Vision

Our vision is that within a generation, Canadians act on the understanding that we are all interconnected and interdependent with nature.

To learn more about our vision, please visit www.davidsuzuki.org

Job Description

Position:

Public Engagement Specialist

Reporting to:

Director General for Ontario and Northern Canada

Location:

Toronto preferred – flexibility for the right candidate

Level:

“Specialist” level, permanent position, full time (34 hours a week, Monday to Friday)

Compensation:

$48,867 annually

About the Position

Since its inception in 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has partnered with Indigenous communities and organizations in Canada in support of terrestrial and marine conservation and to help accelerate Canada’s transition to a low-carbon future. Our approach has been to work with Indigenous Peoples as stewards of their lands and waters. In 2016, the organization re-affirmed an Indigenous Peoples Policy (originally passed in 2011) that recognizes the rights and titles of Indigenous Peoples, guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). DSF has also committed to respectfully engage with Indigenous Peoples when its work concerns their interests.

The Public Engagement Specialist is an integral part of the Ontario and Northern Canada Department and its work in support of wildlife conservation, access to clean water and the protection of ecologically significant landscapes, such as the Boreal Forest. While carrying out their tasks, the selected candidate should make the most out of their expertise in communications, media relations and public affairs to assist the David Suzuki Foundation in its work with Indigenous communities in achieving these goals.

Description

The Public Engagement Specialist participates in planning and strategic management of daily activities for several ongoing projects with Indigenous communities in Canada, such as the establishment of Tribal Protected Areas, the protection/restoration of drinking-watersheds in northern Ontario and the conservation of ecologically sensitive landscapes, such as the Boreal Forest. They will also take part in the drafting and dissemination of key messages and other communications that the David Suzuki Foundation wants to convey to target audiences, including press releases, open letters and blogs in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations. Collaborating with the Communications, Public Engagement and Digital Strategy team, as well as with the local and sometimes, national campaign project managers, the Public Engagement Specialist helps to determine the goals and objectives of each project. The specialist aims to mobilize and influence target audiences and provides concrete measures to effectively evaluate projects and activities, helping to achieve these goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

Provide communications and public engagement support for the DSF’s existing projects with Indigenous communities in Canada.

Collect and publish narratives (i.e., story-telling) in partnership with Indigenous communities (e.g. blogs, social media posts) on the importance of the land and threats to it, such as unsustainable resource development and climate change.

Collaborate on planning and implementing local and regional public engagement activities with Indigenous communities, such as community visits.

Support DSF science and policy staff in the writing of reports in partnership with Indigenous communities.

Assist the DSF in responding to emerging new issues led by Indigenous communities to protect the environment.

Collaborate with the Communications, Public Engagement and Digital Strategy team in Ontario and several regional and national project teams to develop and implement communication and public relation strategies that will help to amplify Indigenous narratives on the environment and sustainability solutions.

Write compelling pitches for the media and key influencers to promote the stands, projects and initiatives of the Foundation in the public, specialized, traditional, non-traditional and electronic press; Monitor and analyze mentions in the media and act as a liaison between journalists and the spokespersons of the David Suzuki Foundation. The selected candidate will manage the press list and press review, as well as interview requests and media inquiries pertaining to DSF’s projects with Indigenous communities.

Write, edit and revise clear and captivating copy for press releases, bulletin articles, petitions, free expression sites, publications, presentations, Internet articles, media advisories, handout sheets, summaries, scientific reports and grant applications.

Revise and publish on the website of the Foundation content such as blog posts and communication materials in support of projects with Indigenous communities.

Manage reconciliation training for DSF staff.

Qualifications

At least two years of professional communications experience

Proven experience in strategic planning and implementing communication and public relation strategies

Experience in grassroots organizing with Indigenous communities

Excellent writing and editing skills (news releases, open letters, social networks, website content, etc.)

A deep understanding of environmental issues and current resource and environmental policies impacting Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Campaign and other advocacy experience with Indigenous communities is an asset.

Project management experience

Additional Information

Please submit your cover letter and your resume online and include a summary of your experience working with Indigenous communities in Canada as part of your application in order to be considered. To submit please visit http://www.davidsuzuki.org/about/employment/before March 12th 2017 at midnight EST.

We recognize the importance of a diversified workforce, and we encourage women, First Nations, Inuit and Metis candidates, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities to apply.