About Meewasin and CPPFE
Meewasin is a conservation organization dedicated to protecting the natural and cultural resources of the South Saskatchewan River Valley for current and future generations. Operating on Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis people, Meewasin integrates environmental stewardship, community engagement, and reconciliation into its work.
As a founding member and host of the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange (CPPFE), Meewasin supports the safe and effective use of prescribed fire across prairie and parkland ecosystems. The CPPFE serves as a regional coordination and knowledge-sharing network that builds prescribed fire capacity through training, resource exchange, scientific knowledge, and partnerships. It works with landowners, governments, Indigenous communities, conservation groups, researchers, and fire practitioners to promote ecological resilience, biodiversity conservation, wildfire risk reduction, and cultural land stewardship.
Program Manager Role
Reporting to the Director of Conservation, the Program Manager is responsible for leading the overall strategy, operations, partnerships, and growth of the CPPFE. This role oversees program planning, budgeting, performance measurement, communications alignment, staff leadership, and governance support while ensuring the program meets funding commitments and strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement annual and multi-year plans, identify growth opportunities, manage risks, and guide the long-term evolution of the CPPFE.
- Team Management: Supervise coordinators and staff, establish priorities and work plans, support professional development, and maintain a collaborative and safety-focused culture.
- Partnership Development: Build and maintain relationships with governments, Indigenous organizations, conservation groups, academic institutions, funders, and practitioner networks across Western Canada and beyond.
- Governance & Network Coordination: Serve as the primary liaison to the CPPFE Steering Committee and support development of regional prescribed fire councils, associations, and collaborative networks.
- Financial Management: Manage budgets, funding agreements, reporting requirements, performance tracking, and future funding strategies.
- Performance & Evaluation: Measure program impact, analyze results, improve program delivery, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders and funders.
- Long-Term Sustainability: Lead planning for CPPFE's future beyond current funding, including organizational growth, partnership opportunities, and sustainable funding models.
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will have:
- A degree or diploma in environmental science, natural resource management, program management, or a related field.
- At least 7 years of experience in program management, leadership, partnership development, and team supervision.
- Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and distributed networks.
- Strong strategic planning, facilitation, communication, and organizational skills.
- Experience with budgeting, grant management, reporting, and performance evaluation.
- Knowledge of conservation, wildfire or prescribed fire management, natural resources, agriculture, or prairie ecosystems.
- Experience collaborating with Indigenous communities and supporting relationship-based initiatives.
- A valid driver's license and willingness to travel extensively across Western Canada and the United States, including participation in field-based prescribed fire training and events.
