Communications Specialist
Position Details
- Start Date: Mid-January, 2027
- 37.5 Hours/Week
- Salary Range: $60,000-$65,000 depending on experience and qualifications
- Location: Preference for Calgary-based candidates; candidates based in other parts of Southern Alberta may be considered
The Communications Specialist is a full-time, permanent position at CPAWS Southern Alberta.
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 Communications Specialist will assist in communications efforts at CPAWS Southern Alberta. They will have a strong understanding of the organization’s work and work closely with the Communications Director and CPAWS staff to create and deliver engaging communications materials that amplify science-based conservation and deepen our impact in the community.
Experience and Job-Related Skills
- Digital Literacy & Content Aptitude: Strong understanding of digital platforms, content creation principles, and how to effectively engage audiences across social, web, and email channels, with awareness of SEO and marketing best practices
- Communication & Content Quality: Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to produce clear, accurate, evidence-based (scientific), and on-brand content
- Creative Thinking & Visual Communication: Applies creativity and design awareness to develop engaging visual and written materials that align with brand standards and audience needs
- Self-motivated: Must be able to work independently as well as in a team environment
- Values Diversity: Recognizes and respects diverse perspectives and cultures, fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment
- Technical Skills: Excellent computer literacy and expertise using programs such as Microsoft, Adobe, WordPress, and Canva is required
- Sector Awareness: Knowledge of the conservation or environmental landscape in Alberta is considered a strong asset, as is a proven ability to translate science and evidence-based research and policy into legible, engaging communications
Behavioral Competencies
- Exceptional time and project management
- Keen attention to detail, especially as it relates to brand alignment, spelling, grammar, and punctuation in public communications
- Self-motivated and able to work both collaboratively – make iterative design and communications, take constructive feedback – and taking initiative where appropriate and empowered to do so
- Professional, courteous communicator
- Commitment to implementation of CPAWS Southern Alberta’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values and strategies and to applying principles of reconciliation in all work
Education and Professional Certifications
- Post-secondary diploma or degree in environmental science, communications, design, visual arts, social science, or a related field
- A minimum of 3 years of related experience
Position Requirements
- Believe in and want to contribute to our mission
- Must have a reliable personal vehicle to travel within the Southern Alberta region for outreach, events and other organizational activities
- A working cell phone
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends
- Be legally eligible to work in Canada
What We Offer:
As an employee of CPAWS Southern Alberta, after 3 months probation, you will be eligible for:
- Health, dental, and vision benefits aligned with the CPAWS National Benefits Program
- CPAWS RRSP plan and up to 4% of salary employer matching as aligned with CPAWS National RRSP program
- 3 weeks (15 workdays) paid vacation per year in addition to annual December 24th to January 1st paid office closure, in accordance with the CPAWS National HR Policy
- 10 paid care days per year
- 5 paid Wilderness Days per year to connect with nature and landscapes in Southern Alberta
- 10 paid statutory holidays: as per Alberta Employment Standards
- The option to substitute statutory religious holidays for religious or cultural holidays you observe or to participate in traditional Indigenous practices
- Professional development opportunities
- 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 folks who are typically under-represented in conservation organizations including, but not limited, to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) individuals, 2SLGBTQI+ identifying individuals, people with disabilities, and immigrants. We know that people 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, in an email with the subject line “Communications Specialist – Application” to Kat at kgraves@cpaws.org by 12PM MST on November 18, 2026:
- Resume, and
- Cover letter, and
- One visual (photo, video, graphic design, or social media asset) or short writing sample
- This does NOT have to be a new sample, previous work or an existing portfolio is sufficient
- Please note that all samples will be assessed for use or influence of AI and use of AI will lead to immediate disqualification of candidacy
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 Communications Specialist role. Your cover letter can be maximum of one page.
Application Process
- Application submissions until November 18, 2026
- 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 November 27
- 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
- All candidates who are interviewed will be contacted via email regarding our decision
- We plan on extending an offer and completing the hiring process by December 18 at the latest, with an ideal start date for the successful candidate of mid-January 2027