Saskatchewan ALUS
JOB DESCRIPTION: ALUS PROJECT MANAGER
ALUS Description
ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) is a delivery model for ecological goods and services for agricultural regions of Canada. ALUS is being demonstrated in 3 provinces and is a provincial program in PEI. ALUS provides financial incentives to reward agricultural producers for new and existing environmental services. It is community led and farmer delivered, and uses a voluntary and market driven system. A Saskatchewan ALUS demonstration project has been launched in the RMs of South Qu’Appelle, Indian Head, Lajord and Francis, east of Regina in December, 2011 in partnership with the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), Delta Waterfowl, the Saskatchewan Association of Waterrsheds (SAW), and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF). The partnership will work to develop ALUS projects with individual producers. In addition to demonstration projects, we will have strong outreach, communication, and administrative components to the project. Our intentions are to see ALUS adopted in other municipalities and ultimately across the province of Saskatchewan. It is this start up phase and ultimate growth that has necessitated the hiring of a full time manager.
Position Overview
As a member of the ALUS team in participating RMs within Saskatchewan, the successful candidate will coordinate the start up and maintenance of a diversity of ALUS projects. The incumbent will work with agricultural producers delivering unique environmental conservation demonstration projects. Of equal importance are the coordination, outreach and communication efforts to strengthen the capacity and awareness of ALUS. This position entails a significant business development component, wherein the incumbent will plan, manage and deliver opportunities to financially support the project from local businesses. In addition the coordinator will help with financial administration and organization of research/monitoring efforts. He/she will work collaboratively with the community to develop and deliver environmental solutions on working farms.
Key Responsibilities
Farm Demonstration Projects
- Work closely with producers to design and deliver new ALUS conservation demonstration projects.
- Work with producers to ensure existing ALUS projects are maintained and enhanced.
- Develop and implement a diversity of environmental conservation projects to showcase numerous services within and between participating farms.
Communications and Outreach
- Help communicate ALUS using various platforms for various audiences.
- Provide materials for ALUS website.
- Develop ALUS newsletters, signs, brochures, etc.
- Provide updates to project donors.
- Report progress and support opportunities for ALUS to the local business community
- Help broaden partnerships to include more groups interested in environmental conservation issues on farmland.
- Work collaboratively with the PAC (Partnership Advisory Committee) to ensure the project is meeting the goals of the community.
Business Development, Planning & Budgeting
- Develop financial support for ALUS in Saskatchewan through partnerships with local, and where feasible, provincial businesses.
- Work to identify new revenue opportunities for ALUS locally and throughout Saskatchewan.
- Write or assist in the preparation of project proposals for funding from a variety of sources.
- Prepare and manage grant proposals for new and existing funding sources.
- Help design a template for other municipalities interested in adopting ALUS.
- Help develop annual goals and objectives for ALUS.
- Assist in preparing support objectives for the local business community
- Plan events and tours to stimulate interest and support for ALUS in the local business community.
Other duties
- Work in collaboration with those conducting research/monitoring efforts to further understand and modify ALUS over time.
- Participate in the design and delivery of local market research for ALUS in SK.
Skills, attributes and experience
- University or college degree in environmental/agriculture studies an asset.
- Experience in the wildlife or agricultural field.
- Business experience or training an asset.
- A passion for agriculture, wildlife and knowledge of conservation farming practices.
- Outstanding communication skills: outgoing personality with strong written and verbal skills; a persuasive public speaker and excellent listener.
- Highly professional, mature and confident.
- An ability to approach local businesses and individuals directly for ALUS support
- Accomplished relationship builder.
- Creative, innovative and resourceful.
- Have basic computer skills.
Working environment and compensation
- Normal working hours are 40 hours per week.
- Evening and weekend travel/work may be necessary
- Compensation is commensurate with experience and education.
- Competitive benefits package.
How to apply: Please send cover letter and resume via email to Nial Kuyek, General Manager of APAS, at nkuyek@apas.ca by Tuesday, January 9, 2012
Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.