Designer, User Experience - Vancouver - Pacific Salmon Foundation

Description

Organizational Summary

The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) is salmon first, salmon always. We harness the passion and power of people to save and restore Pacific salmon in B.C. and the Yukon. And, we never do it alone, working with Indigenous partners, streamkeepers, government agencies and fellow ENGO's, the PSF undertakes research, restoration initiatives and leadership in convening all those willing to help recover Pacific salmon. As People for Salmon, we're here to help ensure sustainable populations of Pacific salmon for generations to come.

Position Overview

The Designer, User Experience & Engagement, plays a key role within a tight-knit and collaborative team supporting the strategic delivery of PSF's data-driven web applications. This role is central to the ongoing development, maintenance, and enhancement of the Pacific Salmon Explorer and the State of Salmon – flagship data visualization and decision-support tools that provide open access to the best available information on Pacific salmon populations and their habitats. The Designer leads efforts to create intuitive, engaging, visually compelling, and user-centered digital experiences for PSF's data visualization and data mobilization platforms. This position is responsible for conceptualizing and creating new website layouts, user interface elements, and overall visual design while ensuring seamless navigation and strong user experience.

The Designer works closely with internal teams and external partners to understand goals and translate user needs into functional, engaging design solutions. This includes developing wireframes, mockups, and prototypes; conducting user feedback and needs assessments; and leading ongoing improvements to the Pacific Salmon Explorer and the State of Salmon websites. The role collaborates with PSF's Data & Assessment team to ensure design feasibility and support site maintenance, updates, and continuous improvement of these flagship platforms. Through strong visual design, clear communication, and user-focused problem-solving, this role ensures PSF delivers high-quality, accessible digital products that effectively serve PSF's diverse user communities and support the organization's science communication and knowledge mobilization objectives.

What You Will Do

Design & User Experience

• Conceptualize and create new and improved visual designs, layouts, and UI elements for PSF's flagship data visualization tools – the Pacific Salmon Explorer and State of Salmon websites – and associated data management and visualization platforms.
• Plan and structure intuitive site navigation that supports smooth and accessible user experiences.
• Design and refine user flows, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to illustrate concepts and guide development.

User Engagement & Feedback Integration

• Lead ongoing improvements to the Pacific Salmon Explorer and State of Salmon websites based on user feedback and analytics.
• Conduct user needs assessments, usability testing, and feedback sessions to identify opportunities for enhancement.
• Translate user feedback into actionable design updates and feature recommendations.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with PSF's developer and Data & Innovation team to ensure design feasibility and alignment with technical requirements.
• Collaborate with PSF's content creators, science teams, and communications staff to ensure cohesive and effective digital products.
• Communicate design concepts clearly to internal teams and external partners.

Technical & Production Support

• Support front-end development tasks such as implementing UI elements using HTML, CSS, or related tools.
• Assist with testing, quality assurance, and troubleshooting of design or usability issues.
• Help manage website logistics, including domains, hosting, accessibility compliance, and site maintenance.

Innovation & Digital Advancement

• Support the exploration and development of machine learning and AI-driven applications for salmon conservation.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate modern design trends, interaction patterns, and emerging technologies.
• Contribute creative and technical insights to advance PSF's digital engagement strategy.

Ongoing Maintenance & Updates

• Assist with updating content, refreshing visuals, and maintaining existing websites and digital tools.
• Ensure consistency across platforms by applying standardized design systems, visual guidelines, and UX best practices.

What You Bring

Education & Experience

• Post‑secondary degree or diploma in graphic design, web design, user experience design, digital media, or a related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in UX/UI design, web design, digital product development, or a similar role.
• Experience designing and maintaining websites or digital tools, ideally within science, conservation, or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience conducting user research, usability testing, or user feedback sessions.
• Experience collaborating with developers, content creators, and cross‑functional teams.
• Degree in biology, ecology, or similar natural science field considered an asset.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong visual design skills with proficiency in industry‑standard tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Photoshop, Illustrator, or similar.
• Solid understanding of UX and UI principles, human-centered design, and accessibility standards.
• Ability to create wireframes, prototypes, mockups, and design systems.
• Working knowledge of front‑end languages such as HTML and CSS; experience troubleshooting and supporting development workflows is an asset.
• Familiarity with website hosting, domains, CMS platforms, and basic website maintenance tasks.
• Experience using analytics tools or methods to evaluate user experience and inform design improvements.
• Ability to collect, interpret, and apply user feedback to enhance digital tools and user experiences.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to diagnose design or usability issues and implement effective solutions.
• Experience designing for diverse audiences with varying levels of technical ability.
• Experience in information design, visual storytelling, graphic design, iterative design.
• Demonstrated experience translating scientific research into compelling narratives and applied tools that support decision‑making and engagement.

Professional Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts and rationale to non‑design audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with developers, science teams, communications staff, and external partners.
• Ability to balance creative thinking with practicality, technical considerations, and organizational priorities.
• Interest in emerging digital technologies, including machine learning and AI applications in conservation.
• Willingness to learn and explore new tools, design approaches, and technologies that enhance digital engagement.
• Creative, adaptable mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• Mentorship and development: PSF is committed to lifelong learning. Team members benefit from ongoing mentoring and skill‑building opportunities to support career growth.
• Work–life balance: 15 paid vacation days (with additional days based on seniority), paid sick days, paid personal days for family or personal matters, and office closure during the winter holidays.
• Benefits: Extended health and dental coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, and a group pension plan with a 4% employer‑matching contribution (eligible from the start date).
• Base pay: The salary range for the Designer, User Experience & Engagement position is $73,711 to $103,195. The actual salary offered will be commensurate with the candidate's skills and experience, as well as the contribution they are expected to make in the role. In the normal course, employees are hired at a salary between the minimum and midpoint of the established range for a position.

Reporting and Supervision

Supervised by the Manager, Program Operations and Capacity Building, the Designer, User Experience & Engagement is responsible for undertaking assigned work and meeting or exceeding the standard of care set by the Manager, Program Operations and Capacity Building.

Location

This role is hybrid, with occasional on-site work at PSF offices in Vancouver, Victoria, or Nanaimo. Travel will also be required to participate in meetings, workshops, and staff gatherings.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe diversity is key to excellence and actively encourage applications from Indigenous persons, people with disabilities, members of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and members of groups that commonly experience discrimination based on race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin.

If you require accommodations or support during any stage of the recruitment process, please email

Application Instructions and Deadline

Qualified applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter no later than 4:30pm on February 23, 2026.