Term: 13 months

The University of Waterloo is home to one of Canada’s largest concentrations of interdisciplinary climate change experts and a broad range of climate-focused degree programs and courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, including the first-in-Canada Masters of Climate Change program. Responding to growing demand for lifelong learning and professional skills development across the Canadian workforce, the Waterloo Climate Institute and cross-campus partners are collaborating on the development of new training program on climate adaptation for the municipal sector. This initiative builds on existing disciplinary strengths and focuses on the context of the climate risks and impacts facing small, medium and large municipalities, and the adaptation planning and strategies needed to increase resilience.

The Training Programs Specialist (Municipal Climate Adaptation Certificate) reports to the Managing Director of the Climate Institute and works closely with other Training Programs Specialists working on related projects. In addition, the position will work closely with Institute project coordination and communications staff, faculty members from across the university, and the university’s Centre for Extended Learning, along with an external advisory committee of experts and municipal representatives.  The incumbent is responsible for program and curriculum development, partnership engagement, program promotions, program management and administration, and program tracking, evaluation and reporting for Climate Institute municipal certificate program. This unique position will contribute directly to shaping the evolution of Waterloo’s climate change lifelong learning programming.

Development and Management of the Municipal Climate Adaptation Certificate Program

• Apply best practices and innovative approaches to design new and unique life-long learning courses for municipal sector professionals that draw on Climate Institute and UWaterloo experts and leverage existing curriculum
• Apply expertise in pedagogy and life-long learning to design effective learning outcomes, teaching strategies, learning activities and tasks, and assessment strategies
• Maintain effective input into program development from relevant faculty members, departments, schools and other support units through the establishment and coordination of project working groups
• Establish and manage engagement of an external advisory group of experts and municipal representatives to support the development of the certificate program and associated course offerings
• Undertake structured market research to identify new opportunities for new life-long learning program offerings related to climate change
• Develop and manage a partnership strategy to actively engage external groups, organizations, and companies to promote the certificate program
• Work closely with the Climate Institute’s Communications Officer to design marketing materials, program websites, and other communications products to support the promotion of the certificate program
• Work closely with the Managing Director of the Climate Institute to ensure financial accountability and sustainability of the certificate program
• Track program metrics to assess and report on performance, outcomes, and the impact of the program over time to the program’s funding partner
• Undertake regular program reviews, including soliciting feedback from participants, instructors, and other cross-faculty and external stakeholders
• Provide recommendations for updates and changes to the programs based on feedback, trends, and learning outcomes assessment tools and techniques, and develop a feedback loop to facilitate the ongoing refinement of course offerings
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports for the program funder that summarize program activities, achievements, changes and results for various internal and external audiences
• Manage program development schedules and processes, including setting objectives, timelines and milestones, and applying strong project management practices

• Graduate degree (Masters) in a relevant field (environment, climate change, education)
• A certificate, diploma, or other certification/qualification in adult education, online learning, instructional design, program management, or project management is an asset
• Experience related to pedagogical design and curriculum development or educational development at the post-secondary level
• Minimum of five years of experience in program management and coordination, and partnership/business development in a life-long learning or adult education environment
• Experience working with or within municipal government is a strong asset
• Demonstrated expertise in the creation and delivery of online, blended and in-person learning
• Demonstrated capabilities in program evaluation and quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
• A broad understanding and knowledge of the University of Waterloo environment at both the organizational and operational levels is an asset
• Demonstrated experience and success working with external partners, senior leaders, and topic experts
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills - written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, advocacy - communicates clearly and professionally with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders including faculty, staff, administrators, partners, and clients
• Ability to recognize opportunities and refine them to defined programs
• Proven ability to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders in various roles and at various levels of an organization to effectively achieve program objectives
• Project management and coordination skills – able to consistently plan, facilitate, document and follow up on meetings, tasks, decisions and approvals in a consistent and transparent manner
• Superior organizational and self-management including time management and the ability to prioritize, multi-task and attend to detail
• Proactively anticipates challenges and takes initiative in resolving issues
• Thorough understanding of adult learning principles and ability to apply program context to ground discussions and program decisions
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Flexible and entrepreneurial mindset
• Disruption in lifestyle due to travel requirements and/or unusual schedules

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.