Project Coordinator (Climate and Sustainability)

The Role

Leads complex multi-stakeholder, public-facing regional sustainability programs, initiatives, and projects (e.g. climate change, natural heritage) to establish, plan, and achieve an inclusive, thriving and sustainable Region, and advance both the corporate climate action plan and community climate action plan, Transform Waterloo Region. 

Ensures the Region’s interests in ecology, natural heritage, and climate change are communicated and implemented across a broad range of studies, initiatives, and projects.

Leads complex and high-risk programs that require expertise in community engagement, project coordination, and oversees the work of external consultants for a range of sustainability initiatives. 
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Leads the preparation of special projects on a wide range of sustainability matters. Provides sustainability expertise to support the management of municipal infrastructure, renewable energy projects, climate change initiatives, natural heritage planning and active transportation. 
• Leads the delivery of multi-stakeholder corporate and community-facing climate and sustainability projects, preparing project work plans, policy documents, background reports, terms of reference, and RFPs for consideration by management. Assists in the evaluation and selection of consultants/contractors, and acts as a liaison between consultants and regional staff on specific projects, including updates to council.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of municipal climate change mitigation or adaptation priorities, including operational, institutional, and community planning policy changes that will lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and reduced vulnerability to climate change impacts.
• Contributes to strategies, technical studies, policies, management and master plans, capital projects, monitoring and implementation of projects that support sustainable regional growth, ensuring impacts to natural heritage features and functions are avoided or minimized.
• Prepares briefings to advise senior management and elected officials on high profile climate change and natural heritage matters. Prepares reports for committee and council and attends committee and council meetings, making presentations as required.
• Prepares for and conducts stakeholder consultation (e.g., public meetings, open houses, workshops) representing the Region. Incorporates key findings into ongoing work and future communications with council and the public.
• Builds, maintains, and strengthens relationships with area municipal staff, the public, development community, and other stakeholders. Contributes as a regional liaison for area municipalities on initiatives, studies, and projects. 
• Represents the Division on committees, working groups, and advisory bodies to provide and receive feedback on interdepartmental and intermunicipal initiatives. Occasionally represents management at internal and external meetings. Provides staff support to advisory committees.
• Develops and recommends policies and procedures for new programs, initiatives, and ongoing collaboration, and participates in the formulation and evaluation of planning policy, including providing input on recommendations to committee and council. 
• Administers budgets for projects and programs and writes grant proposals.
• Assigns, coordinates, and reviews the quality of work of students and staff supporting projects, and provides technical guidance, mentorship, and training. Participates in administering and coordinating the hiring process for students. Oversees the work of external consultants for a range of sustainability initiatives.
• Leads project teams, advisory committees, and working groups by chairing meetings, preparing related materials and activities, providing technical guidance, and coordinating the work of project team members. 
• Schedules and prioritizes work according to the divisional strategic/work plan and rigid deadlines set by legislation and political schedules/agendas. Assists management in setting divisional work plan objectives and goals. Meets with management regularly to discuss progress, update priorities, and address key issues and questions. 
• Makes day-to-day decisions under the general supervision of management on development applications, regional and provincial policy, regulations and guidelines, program delivery, and projects. Consults with management, other staff, and external experts for decisions on unique, high profile, and controversial issues. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental policy development and natural heritage planning acquired through a 4-year bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental studies, ecology, planning, or related discipline, plus 5 years of directly related experience. 
• Advanced project management skills with proven experience in defining project scopes, planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management.
• Ability to write concise, audience-appropriate correspondence; convey issues and concepts effectively; and make presentations and explain ecology and sustainability issues, information, and procedures in a manner appropriate for various audiences, and in council and committee settings.
• Critical thinking, problem solving, research and analytical skills, using a balance of technical skill, creativity, and reasonability. 
• Ability to exercise political sensitivity and judgment consistent with professional standards. 
• Ability to manage multi-stakeholder projects to successful completion, and plan and prioritize work in response to conflicting demands. 
• Communication, human relations, facilitation, negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills to work effectively with stakeholders with competing interests (e.g., engineers, lawyers, area municipalities, members of the public); deal with angry, emotional, and frustrated stakeholders on controversial decisions, and resolve actual and perceived issues; communicate effectively with all levels of staff, councillors, and the public; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read, interpret, synthesize, and apply complex technical policy and legal information (e.g., reports, documents, records, file information, maps, plans, drawings).
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as MS Office, databases, GIS, and data management programs. 
• May be occasionally required to alter schedule to attend evening meetings.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.