Stewardship Coordinator (Manitoulin)

Background
Since 1997, the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC) has been dedicated to protecting Ontario’s most sensitive and vulnerable habitat. EBC is the largest Ontario-focused private land trust, and today protects 250 nature preserves on 25,000 acres, from Caledon to Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island).
EBC is committed to protecting these preserves in a good way, integrating the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, specifically the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit and Huron-Wendat of the territories where we hold land, and advancing the goals and objectives identified by the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that EBC is early in the stages of Indigenous engagement, truth and reconciliation, and we are committed to learn different ways to steward these lands, carry out conservation, and unlearn past mistakes.
With roughly 7,000 acres of land in our care on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island) and on the North Shore, we are looking to amplify our conservation work in the area with a dedicated staff member who will carry out stewardship activities, build community, and establish connections with local First Nations to activate meaningful relationships, collaboration, partnerships, stewardship and access to the lands. We are looking for someone personable and passionate about nature and conservation, committed to social justice, and deeply familiar with Anishinaabeg history, protocols, and communities to serve as Stewardship Coordinator for our Manitoulin Island and adjacent lands.
Your reward:
• Compensation: $55,000 – $70,000 annual salary depending on qualifications and experience
• Health benefits package
• An inspiring setting on Manitoulin Island, the North Shore and the La Cloche Mountains
• Welcoming, uplifting and supportive staff colleagues, volunteers, board members and partners
• Professional development opportunities and a dedication to wellness of staff members
• Outdoor work and opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community
Employment type: Full-time, 37.5 hrs/week (hybrid), 1-year contract (renewal dependent on funding)
Location: Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island) and North Shore area (working in the field and from a home office that must have reliable internet)
Job Description:

The Stewardship Coordinator (Manitoulin) will play an integral role in building community and delivering stewardship on Manitoulin Island and Lake Huron’s North Shore area. Some stewardship activities will include meeting and liaising with landowners and potential donors, First Nations, as well as meeting and guiding current and potential stewards, volunteers, partner organizations, and our Indigenous Relations committee. Other activities will include completing site visits for land securement and stewardship purposes, preparing Property Management Plans and implementing priority management actions. This position requires a deep understanding of the intersectional approaches of Indigenous points of view and rights.
This job is based on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island), and priority will be given to band members of UCCMM member nations. Work will be carried out at a home office and in the field; workdays are typically Monday to Friday; occasional evening and weekend work is expected.
Key responsibilities:

1. Assist the Land Securement, Land Stewardship, and Community Engagement staff in completing site visits, biological surveys, completing diverse stewardship activities, developing and assisting with outreach strategies, helping with event planning and execution, among other duties.
2. Work with EBC staff on strategic partnership building and connections with local groups and Indigenous communities, acting as EBC’s local main point of contact by organizing opportunities to engage with the community, while ensuring Indigenous rights are respected.
3. Conduct fieldwork, biological inventories, field data collection, threat identification, reporting, as well as proposing recommendations and restoration projects and follow up actions. Work to incorporate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into research and stewardship activities.
4. Assist staff in the development of documents such as but not limited to property management plans, permits, monitoring reports, ecological sensitivity reports, baseline documentation reports.
5. Coordinate stewardship and volunteer activities, and assist with the maintenance of trails, infrastructure, signage, etc.
6. Represent EBC at local key events and meetings to promote our Stewardship efforts and Outreach events.
7. Build positive and productive relationships with landowners, stewards, volunteers, local authorities, local organizations, and Indigenous partners.
8. Work toward solutions that benefit all and to create positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
9. Propose plans to implement the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission ensuring important wildlife habitats and cultural areas are protected.
10. Assist in grant proposals and event organization as needed.
11. Carry out other assigned duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

1. Experience in ecology, forestry, biology, conservation science, natural sciences, environmental sciences or closely related fields. Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western knowledge are equally valuable (Two-Eyed Seeing).
2. Comfortable in building relationships and navigating diverse opinions within the local community.
3. Experience in community engagement, organizing and building partnerships. Conflict resolution driven and committed to creating inclusive spaces.
4. Proactive, positive, creative and high energy team player, willing to learn, problem-solution driven.
5. Ability to effectively communicate ideas, science and stories verbally and in writing.
6. Ability to follow direction and work independently, seek assistance and input as required, and to work on an interdisciplinary team.
7. Superior time-management skills, experience managing, prioritizing and completing tasks on schedule, ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
8. Fluent in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, MS Teams, etc.) and Google platforms (Drive, Docs, etc.), and conference online platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.). Familiarity with GIS is an asset but not required.
9. Reliable access to the internet and transportation is essential. Valid “G” Class Driver’s License is required.

Qualifications considered an asset:

1. Experience developing community-based conservation property management plans and management of ecological monitoring and stewardship programs.
2. Post-secondary education is a plus and traditional knowledge and community experience are also valuable. Cultural/lived experience as an Indigenous person.
3. First Nation member, knowledge of relevant Indigenous Treaties and knowledge of an Indigenous language.
4. Ability to engage with and build relationships with Indigenous communities and other partners. Experience building relationships with Knowledge Keepers and Elders.
5. Ability to complete physical labor under adverse climatic conditions. Experience with hand tools and chainsaw operation.
6. First Aid training and Chainsaw certification, or willingness to get certification in early stages of employment.

Start date: TBD
Application deadline: May 13, 2025 | 11:59 pm EST
How to apply: Please email both a cover letter and resume to finance@escarpment.ca. Indicate your name and the position title in the subject line. Only applications submitted via email will be accepted; applications submitted through LinkedIn and other online career portals will not be considered. We thank all applicants for their interest in the position, however only the selected candidates will be contacted for interview.
EBC welcomes applications from racialized groups, ethnic minorities, women, Indigenous People, people with disabilities, and +2SLGBTQ people. This is an equity employment opportunity and EBC encourages members of the communities mentioned above to self-identify.
Qualified persons of indigenous Ancestry will be given preference in accordance with the s.16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act and UN Declaration on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples. We encourage First Nation and Metis people to apply and, if comfortable, to self-identify in their application.