Conservation Planner (Planner 1(A)-(B)-2)

About Us

Nova Scotia Environment’s role is to protect the environment, human health and through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership and promotion. To achieve this, we strive to develop legislation, regulations and policies, process notifications, applications, and approvals for regulated activities based on sound scientific knowledge and expertise. Our goal is to educate, inspect and enforce to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations. We also proactively respond to environmental, conservation, and human health risks and work to develop programs and deliver services to enhance protection in these areas.

Protected Areas

Reporting to the Manager, Nature Agreement you will be responsible for implementing various elements of a two-year, multi-million-dollar, partner-based conservation project. With significant funding through the Federal Nature Agreement, this project will take a multi-pronged approach to advancing the protection of biodiversity.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Conservation Planner, you will contribute to biodiversity conservation by:

1. Continuing Crown land protection
2. Accelerating the protection of private land
3. Restoring connectivity
4. Supporting Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq in advancing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
5. Enhancing conservation stewardship
6. Facilitating collaborative conservation planning and action
7. Undertaking targeted ecological inventory, analysis, and prioritization of specific conservation themes
8. Addressing pre-existing rights, uses, and threats in new and existing protected areas

You will work in a team environment with staff from this and other provincial departments, municipalities, Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq representatives, land trust partners, and various contractors and conservation groups. You may also interact with industry and non-government partners, community groups, conservation and recreation organizations, and others to advance project goals. Additionally, you will be involved in stakeholder and public partnerships and consultations, developing public communication materials, preparing reports, and negotiating and overseeing various contracts. You may also be involved in policy development, process facilitation, and collaborative planning.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

1. A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Environmental Management, Ecology, Land Conservation or Natural Resources and 2 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
2. Demonstrated competency and experience in land conservation or protected areas planning.
3. A practical understanding of current issues and best practice approaches in protected areas establishment and management.
4. Experience in collaborative planning, working with partners and stakeholder groups, and facilitating partnerships.
5. Strong problem-solving and organizational skills as well as sound judgment and critical thinking skills necessary to resolve complex and sensitive issues.
6. Demonstrated project management skills.
7. Proficiency with computer word processing and spreadsheet software.
8. Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, regulations, policies, programs, and processes relevant to protected areas, private land conservation, and land management in Nova Scotia.

Working familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS), ecological inventory and prioritization, ecological connectivity analysis and mitigation, re-naturalization techniques, processes for screening potential protected areas, and other effective area-based conservation measures, as well as barriers and potential solutions to private land conservation would be assets. Other assets include experience in public land-use planning, policy development, public consultation, Indigenous consultation, and facilitation. Knowledge of protected areas establishment processes, management, and environmental planning is also an asset, as is an understanding of global, regional, and local drivers of biodiversity loss.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

You must be willing and able to travel throughout Nova Scotia and work irregular hours when deemed necessary.

Additional Information

This is a term opportunity with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2026. However, the position status (“term”, “temporary” or “casual”) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate. The offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer.

What We Offer

Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in; we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
Countless career paths.
Department-specific flexible working schedules.
Pay Grade: PR 08 - PR 14
Salary Range: $2,000 - $3,000 Bi-Weekly.