JOB PROFILE
JOB STORE # 298
TITLE:
PROTECTED AREAS APPLIED ECOLOGIST
CLASSIFICATION: SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL OFFICER - RESOURCE 27
MINISTRY: ENVIRONMENT
WORK UNIT: PARK PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT BRANCH
PROGRAM
BC PARKS is entrusted with promoting and guiding the effective management, conservation and protection of the natural,
recreational and cultural heritage values in the province’s protected areas system, one of the largest systems in North
America. The BC protected areas system comprises over 1000 protected areas and just over 14 % of the provincial land
base and is the cornerstone of biodiversity protection in the province. The Conservation and Land Acquisition Section at
BC Parks is responsible for setting provincial policy and guidance in these program areas in addition to working with
partners inside and outside of government to implement principles of conservation biology to protect biodiversity.
JOB OVERVIEW
This position coordinates and leads the research, analysis, development and implementation of policies and legislation
for and on behalf of the BC Parks Conservation Program.
You will lead BC Parks policy and guidance related to conservation and protected area management. You will maintain
expertise and provide advice in at least one specialty area in applied ecology in a protected areas setting. You will work
closely with staff in the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. You
will represent BC Parks as a significant provincial land manager in a number of intergovernmental settings. As a key
resource for regions, you will liaise and provide policy advice and guidance regularly to operational staff and volunteers.
You will provide applied science advice related to protected areas to decision makers, staff and ministry executive. As a
result, you will need to work both at a park specific and landscape level scale. You are a multi-tasker with a knack for
collaboration and influence that enjoys employing your expertise to achieve results on the ground.
This position reports to the Manager of Conservation and Land Acquisition at BC Parks.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Required:

Analyzes and identifies ecological, social, economic, legal and political issues associated with program objectives,
assesses competing and/or conflicting priorities, identifies risks and issues, and recommends strategic policy
alternatives or significant changes to program operations or service delivery.

Provides advice and recommendations on legislation, policy and programs to senior management, ministry
executive and government officials.

Researches, develops and writes regulations, technical guides, publications, presentations, legislative
summaries, briefing notes and Cabinet Submissions, Treasury Board Submissions, Requests for Legislation and
public discussion papers.

Represents the ministry on intra and inter-ministry working committees formed to develop strategic policy
concepts and supporting documentation.

Provides specialist advice to professional staff in the interpretation and application of provincial legislation,
regulations, policies, best practices/new developments and assists with the resolution of complex
environmental and natural resource management issues in a protected area context.

Develops management strategies and plans in field of expertise.
Career Group:
Job Family:
Job Stream:
Role:
Revised Date:
Scientific/Technical
Resource Management
Biology
Professional
August 2011

Oversees and maintains specific program areas, including budget management and program evaluation.

Models, simulates and forecasts environmental impacts and stewardship scenarios in a protected areas setting;
including long term change as a result of changing climate.

Manages protected area conservation tools, such as BC Parks’ Impact Assessment process, Conservation Risk
Assessment, Long Term Ecological Monitoring.

Leads province wide projects and leads project planning sessions to determine project scope, define
deliverables, develop charters, lead project staff and pursue funding.

Develops and promotes working relationships with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and
government agencies to achieve program or project objectives.

Conducts and/or oversees scientific initiatives to develop, implement and promote innovative solutions related
to protected area and natural resource management.

Evaluates the program and identifies opportunities to improve effectiveness and makes recommendations to
senior management.

Prepares and/or negotiates contracts, monitors performance and authorizes payment.

Maintains currency with the scientific literature in areas of specialty and protected area management.
Job Requirements:

Degree in biological sciences, natural resource management, forestry or equivalent plus 5 years related
experience; OR

Masters of Science in biological sciences or natural resource management, with 4 years related experience; OR
PhD degree in biological sciences or natural resource management, with 3 years related experience; OR

Other equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered, i.e. Registered
Professional Biologist (RP Bio) and 7 years related experience.
Related Experience:

Experience providing scientific advice to scientists and non-scientists, decision-makers and other agencies
related to natural resource management.

Experience managing complex and sensitive natural resource management issues/projects in a team
environment with some demonstrated leadership experience.

Experience in negotiating/mediating solutions with external and internal stakeholder groups.

Experience in concisely and persuasively writing a range of documents/content.
Preference may be given to applicants with the following experience:

Registered (or eligible) as a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio) in B.C. with the College of Applied Biology
within six months of employment.

Preferred experience in an applied field of ecology directly related to protected area management.

Preferred experience in protected area management.
Career Group:
Job Family:
Job Stream:
Role:
Revised Date:
Scientific/Technical
Resource Management
Biology
Professional
August 2011

Preferred experience with at least one of: aquatic ecosystems, climate change adaptation, landscape fire
management, invasive species management, wildlife management.

Preferred experience working with provincial, federal, and/or local government natural resource legislation and
policy.
Knowledge:

Working knowledge of applied ecology, conservation biology and ecosystems management theory, concepts and
practices;

Knowledge of current natural resource management and land use issues in British Columbia;

Working knowledge of project and contract management.
Skills and Abilities:

Ability to effectively bring leadership to and work with diverse and strong professionals, to enhance the
conservation program at BC Parks and to build strong external relationships to other parts of the ministry,
governments, academia and NGO’s;

Ability to provide professional leadership, negotiate agreements, exert influence, achieve consensus, maintain
credibility, and co-operate effectively with diverse peers, agencies, non-government organizations, contractors
and subordinates;

Must exhibit a high degree of tact, judgement, and initiative;

Strong written and oral communication skills, presentation skills, and inter-personal skills;

Demonstrated flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines under pressure;

Experience conducting public consultation processes dealing with environmental management issues;

Ability to manage budgets and program evaluations;

Valid B.C. driver’s licence;

Meet safety standards of Work Safe BC;

May conduct field work which may include the following: travel to remote areas by vehicle, boat, air or foot,
overnight or extended stay in rough camp conditions and outdoor work in all weather conditions;

Ability to carry equipment and supplies in difficult terrain;

Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal
records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as
required by the ministry (Note: It is important that you read the job posting carefully to understand the
specific security screening requirements pertaining to the position).
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
Teamwork and Cooperation is the ability to work co-operatively within diverse teams, work groups and across the
organization to achieve group and organizational goals.
Results Orientation is a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one's own past
performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one
Career Group:
Job Family:
Job Stream:
Role:
Revised Date:
Scientific/Technical
Resource Management
Biology
Professional
August 2011
has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement). Thus, a unique
accomplishment also indicates a Results Orientation.
Service Orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the public, co-workers,
other branches/divisions, other ministries/agencies, other government organizations, and non-government
organizations. It means focusing one’s efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.
Analytical Thinking is the ability to comprehend a situation by breaking it down into its components and identifying
key or underlying complex issues. It implies the ability to systematically organize and compare the various aspects of a
problem or situation, and determines cause-and-effect relationships (“if…then…”) to resolve problems in a sound,
decisive manner.
Planning, Organizing and Coordinating involves proactively planning, establishing priorities and allocating resources. It
is expressed by developing and implementing increasingly complex plans. It also involves monitoring and adjusting
work to accomplish goals and deliver to the organization’s mandate.
Strategic Orientation is the ability to link long-range visions and concepts to daily work, ranging from a simple
understanding to a sophisticated awareness of the impact of the world at large on strategies and on choices
Impact and Influence is the ability to influence, persuade, or convince others to adopt a specific course of action. It
involves the use of persuasive techniques, presentations or negotiation skills to achieve desired results.
Conceptual Thinking is the ability to identify patterns or connections between situations that are not obviously related,
and to identify key or underlying issues in complex situations. It includes using creative, conceptual or inductive
reasoning or thought processes that are not necessarily categorized by linear thinking.
Engaging External Partners identifies and involves external stakeholders in order to foster long term partnerships.
Career Group:
Job Family:
Job Stream:
Role:
Revised Date:
Scientific/Technical
Resource Management
Biology
Professional
August 2011