Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (edi) Coordinator

Your Connection to Wildlife

As one of Canada’s largest not for profit leaders in wildlife conservation, research, and advocacy, we are seeking to fill the following position…

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Coordinator

Fixed-Term until March 31, 2024

Based in Ottawa, ON

Who we are

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is a national not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, conducting research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and advocating for effective wildlife policy and regulation, CWF strives for a future in which Canada’s wildlife is conserved for generations to come.

Diversity is a fundamental part of our core values; we create every opportunity to become more inclusive. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from all diverse communities including, but not limited to, Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, and women in non-traditional roles.

Position Overview

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Coordinator will aid in supporting CWF’s mission in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for program staff, volunteers, and participants across Canada. In support of the youth education programs WILD Outside and the Canadian Conservation Corps, the EDI Coordinator will play an integral role in developing and implementing initiatives that will encourage diversity, promote equity, and support psychological safety. This is a new role within the HR Department reporting to the Legal Director with opportunity to interact and collaborate with various teams as well as external consultants. Duties include participation on the Diversity Committee, providing input on policies and practices through the lens of EDI, recommend initiatives, provide training and supportive resources, and ensuring EDI deliverables are met on time.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge on how to best integrate EDI as part of the value system held by program management, staff, volunteers, and participants. Special focus will be on the awareness and training of accessibility, such as providing guidance on how to make experiential programming more accessible for diverse youth, youth at risk, and youth with disabilities as it pertains to WILD Outside and the Canadian Conservation Corps. More details about the programs can be found on our website and social medias: WildOutside.ca @wildoutside.ca and CanadianConservationCorps.ca @conservationcorpscan

Key Responsibilities

• Consult with various program managers and directors to assess their EDI needs and identify gaps, including participant needs, duties, and skills.
• Consult with program managers and specialists to ensure accommodation needs are fulfilled.
• Create an online repository of EDI resources accessible for staff.
• Recommend training modules or certifications relating to EDI that are relevant (such as Autism Awareness training).
• Registering new staff in online EDI training courses and ensuring completion.
• Encourage workplace mental and physical wellness by recommending and implementing initiatives with the support of HR.
• Report EDI findings or recommendations to the HR Department, and others when applicable.
• Be the point of contact for all EDI inquiries, including best practices for forming professional relationships with diversity partners and organizations.
• Support HR in recruitment by ensuring job advertisements and the hiring process is inclusive. Such as checking for gendered language, tailoring descriptions to attract targeted demographics, diversifying applicant pool, and coaching on inclusive language in interviews.
• Recommend best practices when approaching sensitive situations.
• Creating and/or reviewing inclusive content for internal memos from time to time.
• Design, implement, and assess the results of surveys when required. Surveying staff, participants, volunteers, and their caregivers.
• Search for opportunities to build inclusive capacity within communities across Canada.
• May include working with placement agencies for underrepresented groups or those with disabilities.
• Participate in team meetings and provide regular updates.
• Ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act, 2005, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and other applicable legislative requirements or frameworks.
• As this is a new position, additional responsibilities may be added.

Participant Support

• Ensure excellent communication with participants, caregivers, and staff to ensure all necessary registration forms and communication forms are completed.
• Provide reoccurring virtual 1-hour training sessions to new program participants (aged 18-30) on the topic of EDI.
• Encourage, motivate, and support inclusive youth participation.
• Support CWF staff when navigating situations involving EDI and educate them on participant needs and problems.
• Assist in creation and promotion of conservation education programs run by CWF.
• Conduct research and implement programs to engage with underrepresented youth.
• Ensure diverse participation in impact assessments, proposals, and developments for long-term projects.
• Prepare presentations on conservation education for underrepresented youth.

Reporting Relationships

The EDI Coordinator will report to the Legal Director and work directly with the HR Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. The work will involve frequent collaboration with the Director of Education and Education department managers, specialists, and Indigenous specialists.

Skills and Abilities

• Warm and outgoing personality
• Thrive in fast-paced environments with ability to think critically
• Excellent organizational, strategic planning and implantation skills
• Excellent consultation, presentation, and verbal communication skills
• Effective leadership skills, with a strong focus on operations and organizational processes
• High level of integrity and accountability
• Ability to respond appropriately in pressure situations with a calm and steady demeanor
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with participants and organizations
• Passion for EDI and contributing to making a difference
• Effective oral and written communication tailored to the appropriate audience
• Have a keen attention to detail

Required Qualifications

• Post-Secondary education in Human Resources, Psychology, Special Education, Sociology, Education, or other relevant field
• 1-3 years’ experience working in similar role
• Experience working with people with physical disabilities
• Experience in developing initiatives on Mental Health, Addictions, and Wellbeing for youth and staff
• Willing to be trained in Standard First Aid CPR if required
• Must have a recent Vulnerable Sector Check clear of convictions (can be obtained later)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, Power Point)

Additional Assets

• Bilingual (English/French) is preferred, any other additional language is an asset
• Expertise (professional, personal, volunteer) in the outdoors, outdoor recreation, coaching, camp counselling, community service groups, and outdoor programming
• Experience working with underrepresented youth; youth with disabilities, mental health concerns, from indigenous communities, and various socio-economic situations.
• Diverse lived experiences based on race, gender, sexuality, age, and other identity factors.

Work Conditions

• Full-time, fixed-term position until March 31, 2024 pending funding approval.
• Based out of CWF’s Head Office in Ottawa, ON with flexibility to work from home two consecutive days per week.
• Travel throughout Canada as required
• Interacts with participants, their parents/guardians, various staff and management levels, and the public at large.
• Overtime may be required on occasion

Why work with us?

• We are a rapidly growing team of forward-thinking individuals who all share a common passion, the Canadian outdoors!
• Friendly and casual work environment
• Transparency between various levels of management
• We are committed to building a more diverse workforce
• Work-life balance
• Frequent and relevant professional development opportunities related to career and personal growth.
• Free enrollment in our Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Opportunity to expand your network of education, conservation, and program experts.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will be posted until filled.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: Mid-January 2023.

HOW TO APPLY: Cover letter and resume should be submitted. Only the candidates who meet the qualifications and experience for the position will be contacted for an interview. We thank you for your interest in the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

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The Canadian Wildlife Federation embraces diversity and equal opportunity and we welcome applications from qualified candidates from all diverse communities. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, religion or any other status or classification protected by law.

Accommodation may be available upon request for candidates taking part in any aspect of the selection process. If you would like to request a specific accommodation because of a disability or a medical need, please advise the Human Resources Department when you are selected to participate in the recruitment process.