Wildfire Research Knowledge Exchange Coordinator

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of one year plus a day with the possibility of extension and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Location - This is a remote work from home role

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department Summary

ALES/ RnR: Canada Wildfire works in partnership between operational fire agencies and academics to train the next generation of fire professionals through conducting research and ensuring results are clearly communicated to the wildland practitioners.

Position Summary

The Wildfire Research Knowledge Exchange Coordinator will be responsible for facilitating or delivering information and awareness to staff, partners, students, wildfire agencies and the public. They will support the development and implementation of organizational knowledge exchange, communications strategies, and research project communication plans in close collaboration with Canada Wildfire personnel, researchers, leadership, and partner organizations. They will also lead the development and dissemination of research communications and promotional materials.

Duties

• Perform other related duties as required Minimum of a two-year diploma in a related field. Directly related experience and or education may be considered on a one-for-one basis.
• Support staff, researchers, and leadership in the identification of opportunities to improve service delivery through knowledge exchange initiatives.
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of information, awareness, and events.
• Create and distribute a Canada Wildfire update to subscribers through the Ember (monthly bulletin)
• Promote awareness and understanding of wildfire research through existing internal and external communication methods, education programs, and initiatives, and encourage and enhance involvement.
• Liaise with key partners and stakeholders to build and strengthen connections, share information, and create opportunities for partnerships.
• Collaborate with research teams and partner agencies to manage and support creating, tracking, and completing Knowledge Exchange and Communications plans for individual research projects.
• Lead the creation and implementation of the Canada Wildfire Knowledge Exchange and Communications Plans
• Assist in delivering education and communication strategies for Canada Wildfire
• Develop and distribute communications and promotional materials that aid in translating research findings into understandable information about evidence-informed best practices and research-based knowledge. This includes website content, social media posts, reports, and plain language summaries across various media formats.
• Participate in regular meetings with Canada Wildfire researchers and management regarding progress and outcomes to ensure knowledge exchange and communication plans come to fruition.

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional judgment and decision-making skills
• Minimum of a two-year diploma in a related field. Directly related experience and or education may be considered on a one-for-one basis.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, including the ability to collaborate with diverse groups and organizations.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and ability to generate appropriate content.
• Knowledge of key messaging elements, including the ability to take highly technical or complex issues and make them clear and concise for a wide variety of audiences.
• Proficiency in Windows platform computer environment and working knowledge of various programs and information skills, including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong organization skills - ability to plan, coordinate, and manage many projects with varying contact lists, time constraints, and follow-up requirements.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of public relations skills, communications, and educational marketing.
• Additional Requirements:

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of emergency management and response, such as human dimensions of hazards and urban interface issues
• Basic creative and design skills using Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premier Pro, etc.)
• Knowledge of forest ecology, wildfire prevention, fire detection, and suppression.
• Awareness of traditional knowledge