Environmental Policy Analyst, Northern Energy Solutions Program (Yellowknife office)

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Environmental Policy Analyst, Northern Energy Solutions Program (Yellowknife office)

The Pembina Institute is seeking a bright and resourceful individual to contribute to a sustainable future for Canada’s North by working to limit impacts from oil and gas development and accelerate the transition towards clean, renewable energy. The position is based in Yellowknife, with project-based opportunities to work with communities throughout NWT.

What can Pembina offer you?

The Pembina Institute uniquely combines the public interest vision of a non-profit with the entrepreneurial culture of a small business and the intellectual rigour of a think tank. As such, we offer a work environment that allows you to undertake projects aligned with your personal values; that rewards good ideas and initiative; and that gives you the chance to collaborate with experienced colleagues who are passionate about what they do. You’ll also find opportunities to apply an unusually wide range of skills and perspectives to your work. For example, you will likely balance a number of different roles within Pembina, including: researcher, analyst, project manager and strategist. Similarly, in working with our allies and with the public, you may find yourself positioned at different times as a content expert, a spokesperson, an advocate, or a facilitator.

The Environmental Policy Analyst Position(in detail)

The successful candidate will work closely with staff of the Northern Energy Solutions Program to advance the Program’s objectives and contribute to the team’s research and capacity building work on a wide range of energy-related issues. The position could require any or all of the following:

• Develop a contextual understanding of the northern oil and gas industry, including the politics, economics, and regulatory frameworks, as well as an understanding of alternative energy systems within a northern context.
• Research and assemble technical data in order to evaluate the environmental impacts of oil and gas activities in the Northwest Territories and offshore Arctic.
• Create written materials and presentations that describe the impacts, concerns and opportunities associated with oil and gas development in accurate, compelling and accessible language, oriented towards a wide variety of audiences.
• Travel to communities to engage with local groups, facilitate discussion and support action on issues such as oil & gas development, clean energy, or climate change—for example, with Aboriginal governments, local Council/Board members, elders/harvesters, regulatory Boards.
• Draft, refine, and build support for specific policy recommendations, working in collaboration with allies in the industry, community, government and non-profit sectors.
• Review applications and environmental impact assessments of large-scale energy projects and identify opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.

The applicant may also work on projects led by Pembina Institute’s Corporate Consulting, Oilsands and Renewable Energy Program areas. The successful applicant could be responsible for carrying out several small projects at any given time with minimal supervision, collaborate with allies and stakeholders, participate in meetings and be responsible for some project and office administration.

What can you offer Pembina?

As a successful candidate, you possess:

Smarts

• An undergraduate degree in engineering, environmental studies/science, planning, public policy or related studies in natural resource science, ecology, biology, chemistry, or physics (preferred).
• Graduate degree would be an asset.

Preferred Employment or Research Experience

• Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative technical research in the area of energy, environment, economics or policy. 
• Experience working or engaging with a northern government agency, Aboriginal organization, small First Nation community, energy resource development company or utility, transportation or building industry, environmental consulting firm, or environmental organization (an asset).
• Cross-cultural experience, particularly with Aboriginal communities.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Proven ability to successfully advance projects from concept to proposal to approved stage and effectively build and manage relations with funders/clients.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Excellent data analysis, computer skills (i.e. Excel).
• Ability to coordinate workshops, events and meetings.
• Understanding of and experience with the media.
• Familiarity with environmental impact assessment, environmental management/decision making, political decision-making, resource economics, and/or principles of environmental protection, particularly in a northern context.
• Ability to respond effectively to phone and email inquiries from the public or professional agencies.

Gumption

You should be a self-starter, and be able to identify and focus on the most strategic tasks when you have competing demands on your time. We’re looking for:

• demonstrated time management and self-organization skills,
• a knack for managing multiple projects and demands while remaining focused on priority tasks,
• evidence of a strong work ethic and initiative.

People Skills

You should enjoy teamwork and be able to communicate and connect with a wide range of people; for example, an energy executive, a government employee, a First Nation elder, or a quiet workshop participant.

We’re looking for:

• experience with making presentations in public and private settings,
• an instinct for tailoring your message to your audience,
• comfort with vocally dissenting or disagreeing with groups or individuals, when necessary,
• ability to work effectively with geographically dispersed teams on a project basis,
• a good sense of humour.

Passion for Social Change

You should be passionate about creating social change and committed to sustainability in your ownlife. We’re looking for:

• work experience related to social change, on energy or resource issues, in public advocacy or outreach, etc.
• familiarity with relevant topics such as natural resource management practices, environmental law, First Nations rights, cultures and history, NWT politics, etc.

Flexibility and Resourcefulness

You should be well aware of, and comfortable with the unique challenges of working in a medium sized non-profit organization. We’re looking for:

• a demonstrated ability to find creative, resourceful and practical solutions to complex problems given capacity and time constraints,
• an ability to shift plans and reassess expectations on short notice,
• willingness to take on a fair share of administrative tasks, such as managing budgets and reporting,
• prior experience with a non-governmental organization, or in a small business.

Terms of employment

This position is a full time 6-month term position with the possibility of extension based on a 40-hour work-week. Arrangements for a less than full-time position may be considered.

Reporting to the Director of Consulting Services, this position will be based in the Pembina Institute's Yellowknife office.

Compensation and benefits package offered is competitive with established non-profit organizations (although lower than rates paid in the government or business sectors) and will be based on skills, experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

Further terms of employment will be discussed with candidates during the interview process.

Salary will be based on skills, experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

Interested in applying?

Download a full description of the position. A detailed resume should be submitted electronically in Word (.doc or .docx), Rich Text (.rtf) or Portable Document Format (PDF), along with a letter explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position. Please do not password protect the documents you submit. Interviewees will be asked to provide references.

Mail to: careers@pembina.org (please identify the position you are applying for in the subject line)

Application deadline: midnight, October 14 , 2012

Start date: ASAP

The Pembina Institute is an equal opportunity employer.  We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.