Job Description

Staff - Non Union
Job Category M&P - AAPS
Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level A
Job Title Communications Coordinator, Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program
Department UBCO | Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program | Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Compensation Range $5,791.00 - $8,323.42 CAD Monthly
The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date October 19, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date June 30, 2028
Please include a cover letter - applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
The purpose of this position is to collaboratively develop and implement a communications strategy for the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program (the Program). Housed at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus (UBCO), the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program will be the first of its kind in Canada and will develop the foundational framework required for a nationally recognized program to facilitate the safe and effective application of prescribed fire contributing to measurable improvements in biodiversity, ecological resilience, and community safety. The Program will involve the development of curriculum and regional hubs across Canada which will provide region-specific and hands-on prescribed fire training.
This position will be responsible for collaborating with key external partners, contractors, and internal research and extension teams to promote the use and benefits of prescribed fire and training provided by the Program. This will involve developing public outreach, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and content creation to support the Program and prescribed fire initiatives. An essential component of this work is to enhance the social license for prescribed fire across Canada. The Communications Coordinator will be required to collaborate with Program partners, create content, manage a suite of digital media, manage internal and external communications (including risk management), and organization of an annual Canadian Prescribed Fire and Fire Ecology Symposium.
Organizational Status
This position reports to the Operations Program Manager and the Prescribed Fire Manager, and works in Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program in in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences at UBC's Okanagan campus.
This position will work alongside a team of Regional Leads.
Work Performed

• Leads the development and implementation of a communications strategy and planning for the Program including the design and launch of a Program webpage and social media sites;
• Supports the planning, implementation, and rollout of annual regional symposiums across the country
• Builds and implements workplans, timelines, and evaluation tasks for key engagement objectives;
• Performs a variety of public information and outreach activities for the Program, and tracks engagement;
• Responds to public and media requests for information;
• Conducts research and analyzes information for Program content including writing and editing blog posts, project briefs, speaking notes, news releases, brochures, reports, social posts, promotional materials, and other communications materials;
• Manage, develop, and identify new relationships to support Program objectives, and track engagement activities to ensure timely and consistent communications;
• Regularly reviews website content and design for effectiveness, quality, accuracy, consistency, and alignment with the mission and vision of the Program;
• Identifies opportunities to enhance the outreach of the Program at local, provincial and national levels;
• Assists with the set-up and delivery of events, and includes photographing and documenting events and other activities related to the Program;
• Liaises with internal and external production and media services providers;
• May require travel around Canada;
• Perform other duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors or incorrect decisions of this position could seriously compromise the timing and quality of training and knowledge extension projects of the Program. In addition, inaccurate reporting, lack of grant facilitation, and failure in communications could result in lost funding and jeopardized relationships with collaborators and communities.
Poor judgement or poor relationship management may harm the reputation of UBCO and may result in lost research partnership opportunities. Inaccurate or incomplete information regarding partnership opportunities or sponsor regulations could result in a loss of funding or may commit the University to unacceptable award conditions. Mismanagement of partnerships could result in the return of funds, loss of future funds and/or inability to collect funds owed to the University. Incorrect interpretation of Sponsoring Agency and University policy could result in non-compliance with sponsoring agency terms.
Supervision Received
This position will work under the general direction of the Operations Program Manager, with additional supervision provided by the Prescribed Fire Program Manager. This position is expected to be able to independently perform duties and consult regularly with the Program Managers, and Research and Extension Team. Work is reviewed with established standards and specific objectives.
Supervision Given
May co-ordinate the work of Research and Extension Facilitators.
Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own;
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• A university degree or diploma in a relevant discipline such as communications, marketing, journalism, media/public relations or science communications
• Experience working and writing in a University setting
• Demonstrated experience in scientific writing, project brief writing, and/or academic writing
• Experience in event management and planning
• Exceptional writing and communications skills with experience writing for digital and print media, and ability to adjust writing style for different audiences
• Demonstrated proficiency on multiple social media platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and others
• Demonstrated experience with web-based content management systems and web design (WordPress or similar), web design, SEO, usability best practices, and analytics
• Attention to detail and superior organizational skills
• Ability to work with minimal direction and exercise sound judgement and decision-making
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities under deadlines
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of fire ecology and prescribed and culturally-informed prescribed fire is considered an asset.

Skills Required