Just letting you know that I have a grad coop position for Sept – April. This is well paid and highly relevant (lots of climate work going on), so I am hoping you might be able to flag it in Land and Food Systems. We sent the posting to Tony Loring, Co-op Coordinator with the Forestry Faculty, but am also hoping you might get it more directly to the ag-related folks. The deadline is July 11. We are looking for a grad student, but we are also open to senior undergrads that are highly recommended.
Note that this is funded by Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, so there is a requirement that the student be returning to their studies after the coop term.
Cheers, Ian
Position: Climate Change Research Co-op/Intern
Ministry: Agriculture
Salary: $1,661 biweekly ($23.73 per hour) (graduate level co-op)
Start/End Date: September 2016 to April 2016 (8 months)
Location: Victoria (note: please do not apply unless you are willing to be located in Victoria)
Application Deadline: July 11, 2016
This position is a unique opportunity to build understanding of the importance of agricultural climate change adaptation and to contribute to high priority policies, programs, and actions to advance climate change adaptation and mitigation in the B.C. agriculture sector. Note that the position is located in Victoria and that no relocation expenses will be paid.
Background:
B.C. agriculture is diverse: regionally, by commodities produced, and in terms of scale of operation. Agriculture is an important part of the lives of British Columbians and farm families, and a major economic driver in communities and the province as a whole. Climate change is already happening in B.C., and projections for the 2020s and 2050s point to significant impacts for agriculture, including excess moisture, pest outbreaks, sea level rise, and extreme weather events such as drought and flooding. For agricultural producers, climate change will result in increased management complexity, costs, and uncertainty – as well as new opportunities.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Innovation and Adaptation Services Branch works to enhance agrifood and seafood sector growth, competitiveness, sustainability and adaptability. The branch provides expertise and support for: innovation, domestic and international marketing, management practices that promote susatainable and productive agrifood systems, and creating and maintaining a positive regulatory climate with local government. Within the branch, the climate action team works in partnership with the agriculture industry to build the sector’s adaptive capacity and resilience.
Through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial initiative, approximately $5.7 million in funding has been allocated over 2013 – 2018 to the climate adaptation program. The program is industry-led and delivered by the B.C. Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative (CAI). The program supports the development and implementation of multi-partner regional adaptation strategies in key agricultural areas of the province, and the piloting and demonstration of adaptation practices on B.C. farms and ranches. This programming is recognized across Canada as the most advanced and effective programming for agricultural adaptation to climate change.
British Columbia is currently developing a Climate Leadership Plan, and is participating in the development of the Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change.
Description:
The co-op/intern will work with leaders in the field and interface with program managers in the Ministry, with staff of the Climate Action Secretariat, and with the CAI.
They will learn about climate change and B.C. agriculture, government policy and decision making, and the Ministry’s partnership with the federal government and the agriculture industry. They will have a dynamic positive work environment with many opportunities for growth and mentorship.
The co-op will support the Ministry’s climate action team on four focus areas:
- Working with the B.C. Agricuture and Food Climate Action Initiative to support its delivery of regional adaptation strategies and related implementation projects, and the delivery of farm level adaptation projects.
- Assisting the Ministry’s climate action team, in a fully integrated way, with work on key priorities, such as: the B.C. Climate Leadership Plan; the Pan-Canadian Framework; commitments in the Minister of Agriculture’s mandate letter; and the design of the next five year federal/provincial funding arrangement (2018 – 2023), in which climate change adaptation may have a significant profile.
- Assisting the climate action team in its engagement with other business areas in the Ministry, the Climate Action Secretariat and research and climate action groups in B.C. and across Canada. This includes work on helping to “mainstream” climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas reduction actions.
- Assisting with program administration and program performance management.
Example Tasks
The following possible tasks show the type of work which may be undertaken in this position:
- communicating climate information and program goals to Ministry staff
- working with internal analysts to produce reports, analyses and summaries to guide the agricultural sector on the most effective means of adapting to climate change
- reviewing, commenting on, and/or helping to develop proposals for policies and projects
- maintaining and enhancing the climate action content on the Ministry’s website
- organizing meetings and recording outcomes, decisions and actions
- researching information (from the Web, libraries, external agencies and industries) on climate change adaptation and on greenhouse gas reductions on agricultural land and in the food processing chain
- assisting with calculations, spreadsheets, and generating financial and economic estimates
- organizing seminars on topics related to climate change and other key areas of policy focus
- assisting with the preparation of presentations and briefing materials related to the program
- researching climate data/projections and applicability to B.C. agriculture
Qualifications:
The co-op must be self-motivated, work both independently and as part of a team, be flexible, creative and take initiative. To be qualified, the candidate must:
- be enrolled in a university graduate program in agriculture, climate change, resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, environmental studies/science, economics, planning, business, public administration, public policy, or a related field
- have experience conducting research and analysis; strong verbal and written communication skills; and experience presenting findings through presentations and graphic/visual products
- have proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Visio
- have the ability to work closely with key stakeholders of the Ministry and industry
- (preferable) have completed courses and/or have experience with climate science, adaptation to climate change, agriculture, natural resource management, economics, and policy analysis
- (preferable) have work experience in a government setting
How To Apply:
Send a resume and a covering letter, explaining how you meet the position requirements, why you are interested in the position, and how it aligns with your planned career direction, to:
Ian McLachlan, Manager – Climate Action, Ministry of Agriculture
Email: Ian.McLachlan@gov.bc.ca Tel: (250) 356-1852
Applications must be received on Monday, July 11, 2016
RELATED RESOURCES (for more information)
Preparing for Climate Change: British Columbia’s Adaptation Strategy (and other resources)
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change/policy-legislation-programs/adaptation
BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative (see risk and opportunity assessments, regional adaptation strategies, and farm adaptation innovator projects) http://www.bcagclimateaction.ca
B.C. Agrifood and Seafood Strategic Growth Plan
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/strategic-growth-plan.pdf
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture Service Plan
http://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2016/sp/pdf/ministry/agri.pdf
Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
http://www.pacificclimate.org/analysis-tools/regional-analysis-tool
http://www.pacificclimate.org/analysis-tools/plan2adapt
