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https://ubc-csm.symplicity.com/employers/index.php?mode=form&id=a634d05352f4cc6685a56a08a1a82c81

Position Description

The Sustainability Hub undertakes key cross-cutting functions such as connector, curator and facilitator of a wide breadth of sustainability programs and activities across campus and beyond. In partnership with many other groups, we help integrate and enhance sustainability themes into teaching, learning, and student engagement activities, support interdisciplinary urban research, advance regional and international engagement with sustainability partners, manage UBC’s Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability, and host the UBC office of the Pacific Institute of Climate Solutions and the UBC Climate Hub.

Job Summary

The Fraser Estuary Research Collaborative (FERC) represents an innovative new approach to focusing a group of applied researchers on a shared outcome – to restore and protect the endangered Fraser Estuary. This summer, a special cohort of UBC Sustainability Scholars will form the Fraser Estuary Research Collaborative with NGOs and other partners to do applied research in this unique ecosystem. Applied research projects will be led by UBC graduate students who represent a variety of disciplines. Sustainability Scholars will tackle improving the flood resilience of communities along the estuary, along with many other topics: green and natural infrastructure, pollution, invasive species, eelgrass restoration, and climate change.  A coordinated approach enables these Scholars to focus on a shared purpose that brings attention to the many research perspectives needed to address the range of issues affecting the Estuary.

Sustainability Scholars’ projects make a real difference to the communities and natural world that support us – in this case, to a critical and highly imperilled ecosystem right beside UBC’s campus. The Coast Salish peoples have relied on the lands and waters of the Fraser estuary since time immemorial. The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people depend on salmon and the health of the Fraser River and estuary, and together with other governments, have a keen interest in further research on topics such as Indigenous governance, community-based solutions, climate adaptation, sea-level rise, and pollution reduction. UBC research significantly contributes to Fraser estuary protection/restoration. Faculty are working in areas like Indigenous fisheries, salmon survival, and river history. The Fraser Estuary Research Collaborative will build on this momentum and encourage even greater collaboration in the community.

As part of UBC’s ongoing commitment to advance Indigenous rights, this research will draw from multiple ways of knowing and being, and bring together the Coast Salish peoples’ territorial and cultural interests and knowledge of the area, the energy and passion of graduate students, UBC research expertise, and the active energy of the NGO sector. This summer, partners include BC Nature, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Resilient Waters, WWF-Canada, and the Salish Sea Indigenous Guardians Association. Exciting projects range from Indigenous-led cumulative effects assessment to a graphic rendering of restoration options to identifying and assessing climate change indicators.

The overall desired outcome is enhanced protection and restoration of the Fraser estuary through the application of evidence-based policy developed in collaboration with the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation) and other Indigenous Nations.

The Sustainability Hub seeks an Assistant to work on the development of the Fraser Estuary Research Collaborative (FERC). The FERC Assistant will work with the Senior Director, the Senior Co-Manager for the Climate Emergency, the Sustainability Scholars Program Manager, and other Hub staff to:

• Organize meetings between FERC Scholars, mentors, Hub staff, faculty, and government representatives.
• Investigate options for training sessions with Indigenous Nations and Scholars related to Indigenous governance and assist with arranging and managing this additional training
• Plan field trips and identify events of interest to Scholars
• Collect and collate research, information and resources relevant to FERC Scholars on estuary science, governance, management plans, and leading-edge examples of ecosystem protection and restoration in urban areas.
• Prepare a summary report and other communications materials about the first FERC cohort.
• Prepare stories about FERC for a variety of outlets in a variety of formats.
• Assist with the development of a web resources page and other knowledge translation pieces. The research and materials will be made publicly available and will provide a foundation for future research and learning. The incumbent will work closely with Sustainability Hub staff and will regularly connect with faculty, students, staff and community partners.

Organizational Status

The Fraser Estuary Research Collaborative Assistant reports to the Senior Director, Sustainability Hub. The incumbent is expected to perform work independently and with guidance from the Senior Director and other Hub staff.

Description of Duties:

• Conduct research on academic and professional literature on the Fraser Estuary related to specific issues identified by Scholars’ projects and relevant to the CETF and UBC’s strategic plans. Key topics of interest include estuary science,  Indigenous-led governance, comprehensive ecosystem restoration plans, the intersection of Indigenous rights and climate justice, knowledge translation and policy engagement strategies.
• Identify further research topics revealed by the initial scan and by working with FERC mentors and Scholars, and identify UBC faculty working on related issues.
• Review and catalogue FERC Scholars’ research documentation, reference materials and academic literature to create an organized library and detailed document inventory.
• Assist with webinars and other events as needed
• Assist Sustainability Hub communications staff in the development of a visual and potentially interactive web-based format to display and communicate the research information.
• Help organize, track and document FERC meetings, observe and take notes on meetings and other discussions, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Assist staff to develop case studies to communicate the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from FERC.
• Conduct interviews with internal and external stakeholders about FERC and summarize lessons learned.
• Assist staff to track progress and reporting on FERC.
• Assist in the development of presentations, videos, and website updates.
• Assist with project-related communications and meetings; and other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received:
The Fraser Estuary Research Collaborative Research Assistant will be supervised by the Sustainability Hub’s  Senior Director who will provide guidance and ongoing feedback. The work will also involve close consultation and collaboration with the Senior Co-Manager for the Climate Emergency, the Sustainability Scholars Program Manager, other Hub staff, and other UBC Faculties and students involved with Fraser Estuary research.  The Assistant will have weekly one-on-one meetings with the Senior Director to discuss tasks, performance, learning objectives, challenges, and successes.

Qualifications

• Current UBC full-time Graduate student
• Superior research skills
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and professionalism
• Experience with organizing and delivering events desirable
• Organizational and logistical skills
• Must currently reside in BC, and be available to work on campus at UBC-V.

Works Performed

1. Research issues relevant to Fraser Estuary protection and restoration and related policy topics
2. Prepare a summary of FERC Scholar projects conducted in the summer of 2022, identify the intersections between them, and recommend future directions for the research,
3. Assist with knowledge translation and communication
4. Help with the meeting, event and webinar planning.
5. Assist with grant and internal reporting, and other related duties as assigned by Senior Director.

Skills/Qualifications:
Education:

Preference will be given to a graduate-level student with knowledge and demonstrated interest in a field related to estuary science and/or governance, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, climate and environmental justice, Indigenous rights, public policy, law, environmental policy and related fields.

Preferred programs include Science, Landscape Architecture, Law, Public Policy and Global Affairs, Community Planning, Applied Science, or similar.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Interest in and knowledge of estuary science
• Familiarity with the Fraser Estuary is an asset
• Interest in the social, ecological and economic issues related to estuary protection including governance, climate and environmental justice, environmental policy, Indigenous rights, Indigenous knowledge, sustainable development, and human wellbeing, is an asset.
• Familiarity with and interest in policy development processes public is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Graphic design and visual communications skills are a plus.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and meet deadlines (basic project management skills).
• Intermediate skills with MS Office Suite: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Fit:

• Enthusiasm for learning, adaptability, and initiative.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable problem solving, learning by doing, asking questions and suggesting solutions.

Experience Level

Current Students in a Masters Program, Current Students in a Phd Program

Do you require applicants to currently be studying or have graduated from a specific degree program or discipline?

No

Is this position paid or unpaid? Paid

Salary Type Hourly

Posting Date March 29, 2022

Posting Expiration Date April 18, 2022

Preferred Start Date May 02, 2022