Soil Health Educator and Project Manager - Saskatoon, Canada - University of Saskatchewan

University of Saskatchewan

Verified Company

Saskatoon, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Soil Health Educator and Project Manager:

Primary Purpose:

The Soil Health Educator and Project Manager will develop and deliver educational programs on soil health and regenerative agriculture and provide project management support for the Indigenous Soil Health Learning Circles for Resilient Prairie Agroecosystems project, funded by the Weston Foundation Soil Health Initiative.

The goal of this project is to establish a network of Soil Health Learning Circles (SHLCs) through delivery of workshops on soil science and regenerative agriculture, alongside Indigenous prairie ecological knowledge, developed for First Nations land managers and community members as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous producers who farm First Nations land across the Prairies.

Nature of Work:
The Soil Health Educator/Project Manager reports to the project lead, Dr. Melissa Arcand, and will be located in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

The Soil Health Educator/Project Manager will develop and deliver training workshops focused on soil health and regenerative agricultural practices tailored for delivery to First Nations land department staff, community members, leadership, and producers across First Nations in Saskatchewan, with expansion to Alberta and Manitoba in later years of the project.

This position will collaborate with and support the work of the Indigenous knowledge holder team member who will lead the Indigenous prairie ecological knowledge sharing activities.

The role is best suited for someone who can work independently and collaboratively, has strong communication and organizational skills, and can effectively balance priorities and deadlines.

The work will involve day trips and overnight travel (approximately 1-4 days per trip) to First Nations during May-September, with office work during the remainder of the year on-campus or remotely.

Options for hybrid work arrangements may be considered.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

Develop a series of SHLC workshops addressing multiple topics important for First Nations agricultural land management related to soil health, regenerative agricultural practices, and land and agricultural data management. Workshop curriculum development will include curriculum mapping, researching content, and gathering and creating instructional materials.
Deliver the fieldbased workshops with the SHLC team during the growing season within First Nations communities; a minority of workshop topics will also be developed to be delivered indoors during the winter season.
Coordinate with First Nation lands departments and other Indigenous organizations in delivering the SHLC workshops, including field days
Supervise a team of interns who will support delivery of the workshops
Provide administrative and field support for the Indigenous knowledge holder team member
Collect feedback from SHLC workshop participants to gauge efficacy and make improvements to content and delivery
Coordinate, attend, and participate in internal SHLC team meetings
Disseminate information about the project via social media and project website
Liaise with contracted media staff to create video and other media content to support the project
Attend agriculture and Indigenous land management workshops and conferences
Assist the project lead in overseeing the project deliverables and accountabilities including assisting with writing interim and annual reports to the funder

Education:

Applicants will have a postsecondary certificate or diploma in Indigenous land and resource management plus a minimum of four years of work experience in First Nations land management and/or the agriculture or environmental science fields.

Or, applicants will have an undergraduate or graduate degree in soil science, agronomy, environmental science, or related field.

Experience:

Delivering fieldbased experiential learning activities
Facilitating or presenting at workshops and conferences
Translating technical knowledge to a broader audience
Experience in searching, reading, and summarizing peerreviewed and grey literature
A working knowledge of basic soil science, including soil sampling and soil properties important to soil health assessments

Licenses:
A valid Class 5 Drivers License is required

Skills:

Knowledge of regenerative agricultural beneficial management practices and basic soil science knowledge is required
Knowledge of prairie agricultural systems
Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills are required
The ability to work and communicate with colleagues and collaborators of diverse backgrounds
Willingness to participate in professional development training, including field days
Understanding of First Nations history and culture, or willingness to learn
Knowledge of First Nations land management regimes and administration is considered an asset

Department:
Soil Science

**S