Job Description

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Job Details
Community Support Specialist - (991739.1)
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Organizational Unit
University of Victoria -> VP Research -> Ocean Networks Canada
Location
University of Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 CA (Primary)
Posting Close Date
25 April 2025
Please note that positions will close at 4 p.m. on the closing date.
FTE
1
Salary Grade
$79,376.00 - $103,243.00
Additional Posting Information
Please note that while the university encourages and accepts external applications, a strong pool of internal candidates has been identified for this opportunity.
Salary posted will be pro-rated based on FTE and achieved as per the collective agreement, if applicable.
Classification
SG12
Employee Group:
PEA - Regular
# of Hires Needed
1
Category
Science
About this Opportunity
The University of Victoria is one of Victoria's largest employers and one of Canada's best diversity employers. Together we are more than 5,000 dedicated faculty, librarians and staff supporting the University of Victoria's diverse academic programs, world-class research and commitment to civic engagement.
*This position is eligible for a Hybrid Work Arrangement*
The salary range for this position is:

• Recruitment range: $79,376- $87,518 starting salary determined by the
• Performance range: $103,243 salary range ceiling is available through annual performance increases.

Job Summary
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is a world-leading organization in ocean discovery and innovation. ONC operates infrastructure that monitors the west and east coasts of Canada and the Arctic to continuously deliver data in real-time for scientific research and discovery and technological innovation. ONC is a Major Science Initiative funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and is governed by a not-for-profit society that operates the world-class innovative observatories on behalf of the University of Victoria.
The Learning & Community Engagement (L&CE) Department, under the direction of the Associate Director, L&CE, serves ONC's user communities by leading ONC's organizational commitment to meaningful, ongoing engagement and collaboration with educators, students, communities, and Indigenous Peoples on ocean monitoring initiatives along all three of Canada's coasts. The department's teams provide formal and informal educational resources and programs for youth and adults; serve as a key liaison with the social science research community; work to strengthen ONC's emerging role as a leader in science-oriented community-engaged research; and develop environmental monitoring programs in collaboration with community partners. The department comprises four teams: Indigenous Engagement, K-12 Education, Post-Secondary Education, and Community-Based Monitoring.
Mandate:
As a member of the Community-Based Monitoring (CBM) team and reporting to the Community-Based Monitoring Manager, the Community Support Specialist's role is to support ONC's partners in Indigenous communities, environmental stewardship organizations, and non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in implementing local environmental monitoring programs. The Community Support Specialists' work is primarily in the framework of three established CBM programs, Coastal Community Observatories, Community Fishers, and Marine Domain Awareness, which provide fixed and mobile monitoring technology to an expanding network of coastal communities on all three of Canada's coasts.
Objectives:
The Community Support Specialist's role is to develop and maintain trust-based relationships with community groups and Indigenous Peoples through direct engagement to understand their priorities; support scientific sampling design; deliver training to community members; conduct data analyses to meet community needs; liaise with other ONC teams to resolve issues and establish protocols and methodology to make improvements in community programs; report back to communities; and present at workshops and conferences.
This position requires frequent field work and travel to remote locations including the Arctic, coastal communities accessible only by boat/float plane, and on ships for at-sea expeditions. The Community Support Specialist is occasionally required to attend and present at conferences; work on weekends and/or evenings may be required to support these activities. Must have a valid BC driver's license.
Job Requirements
This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a post-secondary degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in data collection, analysis, environmental monitoring technology, or Indigenous stewardship/guardianship preferably in an ocean environment. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Required knowledge and experience:

• Experience working in the field of ocean/environmental science and/or acoustics.
• Experience communicating science and technology concepts, data visualization, and the presentation of data analysis to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Experience with scientific data visualization with instrument manufacturer software packages and programming languages (e.g., Matlab, R, Python, GIS, Audacity, Raven, or other).
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities' history, culture, social circumstances, political issues, and protocols
• Knowledge of environmental, climate, resource and economic challenges Indigenous and coastal communities are experiencing.
• Experience living in or working in small communities is an asset.

Skills and attributes:

• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment.
• Advanced skills in participant engagement and community facilitation, especially in sensitive or multicultural contexts.
• Ability to develop and lead training sessions that cater to varying levels of technical proficiency.
• Ability to understand and communicate concepts related to technology and environmental monitoring to a non-expert audience
• Experience in writing reports, development of presentations, and communications materials
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with project management practices
• Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills
• Superior communication skills
• Ability to collaborate, build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work and travel with a small, fast-paced team

Other:

• Travel (domestic and international is required)
• Must be able to participate in at-sea and field expeditions
• Ability to carry and transport event equipment and materials and assist with set up is required
• Must have a valid BC driver's license
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada

Territory Acknowledgement: We acknowledge and respect the Lxc9x99kxccx93xcaxb7xc9x99xc5x8bxc9x99n (Songhees and Xxcaxb7sepsxc9x99m/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lxc9x99kxccx93xcaxb7xc9x99xc5x8bxc9x99n and WSxc3x81NExc4x86 Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
Equity and Diversity Statement: UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power. We actively encourage applications from members of
Read our full equity statement here:
Accessibility Statement: If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact: