We’re hiring a Public Engagement Specialist!

We are no longer accepting applications for this position, however if you would like to be considered for future employment opportunities, you can express your interest here.

 

Position: Public Engagement Specialist
Full Time, Permanent
Location: Remote (Canada, US)
Full Position Description here

ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS GROUP

SSG is a worker co-operative founded in 2001 to carry out creative, challenging, and values-based work. Over the past 20 years, SSG has become a world leader in climate action planning. We aspire to a decarbonized world of thriving people, communities, and ecosystems—a world achieved with diverse collaboration and democratic participation, through analyzing the impacts of our choices, and by regenerative efforts achieving fossil fuels elimination.

Our work includes:

  • Energy and emissions modelling and planning for communities and local governments;
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation planning;
  • Equitable community engagement;
  • Community and health planning;
  • Neighbourhood planning and design;
  • Energy systems planning;
  • Cutting edge climate research, and more.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

SSG celebrates diversity and strives to participate in restorative justice, in part by implementing just recruitment practices. We encourage applications from BIPOC, LGBTQIA2+ applicants, applicants with disabilities, and applicants from historically marginalized communities.

ABOUT THE POSITION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Working under the guidance of SSG’s Engagement Lead, and supported by an Engagement Team, the Engagement Specialist will lead all aspects of SSG’s engagement process through the full project life cycle. This work will include preparing engagement plans, preparing engagement activities in collaboration with the project delivery teams and leading the delivery of key engagement activities (e.g.workshop facilitation).

The Specialist will be responsible for assisting the Engagement Lead and Team to fully implement—and help enhance—SSG’s engagement framework that follows International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) methodology. The goal is to ensure that it is consistently used across the organization to enhance and manage risk in climate action planning and implementation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Lead SSG’s Engagement Process through the full Project Life Cycle
    • Project Proposal Phase: Work with SSG’s Business Development (BD) team to integrate the engagement process into SSG project proposals.
    • Project Start-up Phase: As newly-won projects begin, work with SSG’s various Project Delivery (PD) teams to review and, if necessary, adjust SSG’s engagement framework within the context of the new project.
    • Project Delivery Phase: Work closely with the Engagement Lead and Team to write clear and consistent Engagement Plans for each project that requires one.
      • Support the project team in the implementation of the engagement plan. This includes:
        • Agenda and engagement materials design for engagement sessions
        • Presentation development
        • Facilitation of meetings, workshops and other events
        • Negotiation with clients on proper engagement implementation
      • If required (usually for larger, more complex projects), lead the delivery of key components of the project delivery. This could include:
        • Design engagement sessions and techniques
        • Facilitating engagement sessions
        • Survey administration and analysis
        • Report writing
    • Project Close-down Phase: Participate in the project close-down process to ensure that key project learnings are integrated into future proposals and delivery
  2. Support the Ongoing Development of SSG’s Engagement Framework
    • Working closely with SSG’s Engagement Lead, ensure that SSG’s Engagement Framework is clear, up to date and properly used across the organization. Key work in this area could include:
      • Development of templates
      • Keeping abreast of latest IAP2 framework developments

CONTRIBUTING TO THE CO-OPERATIVE

SSG’s workers are invested in contributing to the success of the co-operative, which means participating in—and sometimes leading—non-project-focused work, such as:

  • Working with colleagues to improve organizational processes, streamline project delivery, and contribute to ongoing organizational innovation;
  • Participating in the governance structure of the co-op; and
  • Participation in the broader co-op movement.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The successful candidate will have all the following qualifications and attributes:

  1. IAP2 Foundations of Effective Public Participation (planning and techniques) certificate.
  2. A minimum of three years of experience designing engagement plans following the IAP2 engagement framework, including identifying engagement objectives and techniques.
  3. Experience incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into public engagement processes.
  4. A minimum of five years of coordinating and facilitating workshops, meetings and/or engagement activities dealing with complex subject matter with diverse audiences or in a similar role
  5. Experience in planning and executing engagement techniques (e.g., but not limited to: workshops, focus groups, and surveys).
  6. Excellent knowledge of digital engagement tools.
  7. Excellent written and oral communications skills.
  8. An adaptable work style with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, fully virtual environment, and evolving work culture.
  9. Willingness and ability to work overtime on occasion and possibly on short notice.

The following qualifications and attributes are considered assets but are not requirements for the successful candidate:

  1. Professional certificate / designation in facilitation
  2. Passion for and dedication to climate action planning
  3. Municipal Government experience in Canada, or the US
  4. Familiarity with and/or enthusiasm for worker co-operatives
  5. Bilingual Spanish-English
  6. Bilingual French-English
  7. ​​Willingness and ability to travel within Canada and/or US
  8. Other languages spoken

The successful candidate will have the following competencies:

  1. Commitment to social justice
  2. Kindness and a collaborative spirit
  3. High degree of self-motivation and ability to work independently
  4. Proven track record of success working on project teams
  5. Demonstrated ability to think critically and creatively, and to problem-solve
  6. Comfort working virtually with a distributed workforce
  7. Ability to work in a non-hierarchical environment

SOFTWARE

SSG’s primary software tools include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Adobe (Acrobat DC, InDesign), Slack, Zoom, Wrike, Guru, Zotero, Miro, Menti and Typeform. Previous knowledge of these tools is not necessarily required and can be taught on the job.

SALARY, BENEFITS

SSG workers are paid according to a salary scale that factors in years of professional experience relevant to their position, as well as years worked at SSG. The salary scale applies equally to all workers, regardless of their position in the organization. The salary range for 2022 was $60,300 -$76,000 for non-members and $62,900-$81,800 for members. A 2023 cost of living increase—specific amount yet to be determined—will be applied to this range before the successful applicant starts. SSG targets an additional 15% base salary top-up at the end of the year, for all workers past their probationary period, when finances allow.

SSG offers its workers a group benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision. Workers in the US are also offered stipend so that they can seek independent basic health care coverage.

SSG also offers flexible holiday pay, two weeks of health & family care leave, four weeks of paid vacation, and a budget for professional development.

CO-OPERATIVE MEMBERSHIP AND PROFIT SHARING

This position will be eligible for membership in the co-operative (i.e., co-ownership) within 12-24 months. SSG distributes a minimum 50% of its annual net income back to its members. Income distribution is in the form of shares and cash, as determined by SSG’s Board of Directors.

WORKING AT SSG AND WORK LOCATION

SSG has a relatively flat staff structure and payscale. Climate change and social justice values are embedded throughout our organization and work. SSG is a distributed organization with staff across Canada, the US, and Chile.

The Engagement Specialist will work from home or a shared office. Occasional travel to clients’ cities in Canada and the US may be required for this role. Our typical work hours fall within the Pacific, Eastern, and Atlantic time zones. Extensive work at a computer is required. SSG offers flexible work hours. Occasional overtime may be required.

We are no longer accepting applications for this position, however if you would like to be considered for future employment opportunities, you can express your interest here.