Water Conservation Educator

Position Details  

• This position is dependent upon funding.  

• Position Dates: August 3 to December 31, 2026, with the possibility of renewal for 2027.  

• 37.5 hours per week 

• Annual salary range $50,000-$55,000, pro-rated for contract period. 

The Water Conservation Educator is a new, fixed term position with CPAWS Southern Alberta. The position runs from August to December, with the possibility of extension.

Joining the CPAWS Southern Alberta team means becoming part of a passionate, inclusive, and mission-driven team dedicated to protecting Alberta’s wild spaces and fostering a deep connection between people and nature. As a regional chapter of Canada’s only national charity focused solely on the conservation of public lands and waters, CPAWS Southern Alberta offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful environmental change while advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Working at CPAWS Southern Alberta means contributing to a future where healthy ecosystems support thriving communities, and where conservation is rooted in science, respect, and inclusivity. 

The successful candidate will develop and deliver education experiences to support watershed health and water conservation, supporting our knowledge building strategic goal of educating and engaging a diverse community about conservation for long-term support. 

This position offers an opportunity to apply and expand the candidate’s skills and knowledge related to environmental education. These skills would support career development in the fields of education, watershed conservation, youth engagement, and community outreach. 

This role will work with CPAWS Southern Alberta’s education team, reporting to the Education Director. Job duties will include:   

Department Administration (5%) 

• Supporting the Education Director with the bookings and administration of water conservation education experiences. 

• Building relationships with community members, funders, colleagues, and supporters and supporting communities traditionally excluded from environmental education and conservation. 

Experience Development (40%) 

• Developing water conservation education experiences and take-home resources/activities. 

• Developing and improving education experiences to enhance relevance, connectivity, inclusion, and access. This may include branding, curriculum links, the latest science, Indigenous knowledge, inclusive and accessible messaging/visuals/activities, ecojustice, CPAWS conservation campaigns, and diverse voices in the outdoors and conservation. 

Experience Implementation (40%) 

• Leading the delivery of high-quality education programs, which may include classroom programming, take-home resources, guided interpretive hikes, and adult workshops.  

• Collaborating with the operations, conservation, and communication department staff to support the administration, communications, and delivery of high-quality, mission-driven education and engagement. 

Fund Development (5%) 

• Supporting grant applications and reports to fund education work. 

• Strengthening relationships with grantors, funders, and donors. 

Planning and Development (10%) 

• Participating in staff meetings and shared learning across departments. 

• Participating in ongoing strategic development of the chapter and department.  

• Reflecting, evaluating, and debriefing projects, programs, and personal progress.   

Position Requirements:  

• Believe in and want to contribute to our mission; 

• Must have reliable transportation to travel within the Calgary region; 

• A working cell phone; 

• Ability to work some weekends and evenings;  

• Ability to stand for 4 hours and lift up to 30 pounds;  

• Be legally eligible to work in Canada; and 

• Criminal record check for working with children and vulnerable people. 

Education and Professional Certification:  

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in education, environmental sciences, or a related field or have a minimum of 2 years’ related experience 

• Considered an asset: 

• 40-Hour wilderness first aid certification  

• Interpretive Guides Association Apprentice Interpreter certification or equivalent certification or equivalent experience 

Experience & Job-Related Skills:  

• Experience developing educational experiences 

• Experience delivering educational programming  

• Risk management and emergency response skills are considered an asset 

Behavioural Competencies:  

• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously, take initiative, and make decisions, in consultation with other team members.   

• Relationship-oriented 

• Professional, collaborative communicator  

• Engaging educator  

• Commitment to implementation of CPAWS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and strategies and to applying principles of reconciliation in all work.   

  What We Offer:  

• Flexible hours and hybrid work at accessible office and home;  

• Annual paid time off (pro-rated for contract period): 

• 3 weeks (15 days) of vacation;  

• 1 week winter holiday office closure (Dec 24-Jan 1); 

• 5 days of wilderness vacation; 

• 10 wellness days; 

• 10 statutory holidays 

• The option to substitute statutory religious holidays for religious or cultural holidays you observe or to participate in traditional Indigenous practices;

• Access to professional and personal development training;  

• Opportunities to expand your professional network through attending CPAWS and partner events; and  

• Mentorship opportunities with CPAWS Southern Alberta staff members.   

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion  

At CPAWS Southern Alberta, we recognize that conservation and social justice goals are intertwined and essential for a sustainable future. This work is long overdue for the conservation community. CPAWS Southern Alberta is committed to working internally and with partners from equity-deserving communities to promote diverse voices, frame nature as a positive space for all, and remove barriers to participation in conservation. Staff are supported through ongoing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) training, and our workplace culture encourages continuous learning, collaboration, and personal growth. 

We encourage applications from groups that are typically under-represented in conservation organizations including, but not limited, to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) individuals, 2SLGBTQ+ identifying individuals, persons with disabilities, and candidates from all equity-deserving groups. We know that candidates from equity-deserving communities are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every single requirement.   

If you’re excited about the role, but your qualifications don’t match perfectly, we encourage you to apply. We value diverse perspectives and will consider relevant life experience alongside professional qualifications when reviewing applications. 

CPAWS Southern Alberta strives for a workplace free of barriers by providing supports, where possible, for disabled applicants and staff members. Please contact us for a conversation about accessibility and possible supports throughout the hiring process. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.  

To Apply:  

Please send your resume and cover letter to Jaclyn at infosab@cpaws.org before 4pm on June 22. In your cover letter, please tell us about why you are interested in working with CPAWS Southern Alberta and what you will bring to the Water Conservation Educator role. Your cover letter can be maximum one page. You may choose to submit an oral cover letter as an audio or video file. The audio/video letter can be maximum 3 minutes. 

Application Process 

• Application submissions  

• Some applicants may be contacted via email with any clarifying questions and/or to set up a short phone screening.  

• Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted via email by June 29.  

• Interview questions will be provided to the candidates at least 1 week prior to the interview. 

• Interviews will be conducted at a time that works for the candidate, either at our accessible office space or online.  

• Interviewed candidates will be asked to demonstrate their teaching style by delivering a short (5-minute) teaching or activity on the topic of their choice. 
• All candidates who are interviewed will be contacted via email regarding our decision. We plan on completing the hiring process by July 22.