Economic Lead, Climate Resilience

Indigenous communities, Forests, Climate resilience

Position: Economic Lead, Climate Resilience

Organization: Ecotrust Canada

Location: Remote, with occasional travel to central interior of BC

Start Date: September 15, 2026

Position status: Full-time (32 hours/4-day work week Mon-Thurs). Generous benefits package after three months

Compensation: $75,000 to $95,000 annually, commensurate with experience

About Ecotrust Canada’s Climate Resilience Program

Ecotrust Canada has partnered with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities to create sustainable, place-based economies for 30 years.

Our Climate Resilience team focuses on building long–term collaborations with Indigenous communities to support their visioning and implementation of a more climate- and biodiversity-friendly forest economy. We co-develop and execute strategies that safeguard natural ecosystems and establish economic transition pathways.

Position Summary

Ecotrust Canada is seeking an experienced professional to support our work with forestry-dependent Indigenous communities, mainly in the central interior of BC. The successful candidate will bring to the role technical and analytical knowledge about forestry economics, experience and curiosity around nature-based financing, and familiarity with forest inventory, policy and legislation.

They will leverage this expertise to support rural, remote, and Indigenous partners in developing proposals and projects that advance economic transition in support of community and conservation goals. The successful candidate will support communities in navigating possible transition pathways that make use of existing policy and legislative tools in BC, while also contemplating larger systemic changes that may be required. The candidate will also support communities in securing financial resources and ensuring measurable progress on community-led conservation and economic objectives.They will leverage this expertise to support rural, remote, and Indigenous partners in developing proposals and projects that advance economic transition in support of community and conservation goals. The successful candidate will support communities in navigating possible transition pathways that make use of existing policy and legislative tools in BC, while also contemplating larger systemic changes that may be required. The candidate will also support communities in securing financial resources and ensuring measurable progress on community-led conservation and economic objectives.

The Economic Lead will report to the Director of Climate Resilience. The role will involve project management, setting measurable objectives, tracking progress, and adapting strategy as needed to meet a bold climate and biodiversity agenda.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead analyses of sustainable forest-based economic opportunities in the central interior of BC using both quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Model different scenarios to assess existing and prospective revenue sources from forest management and nature-based finance to fulfill a regional vision for place-based regenerative economies.
• With the Director and partner Nations, support transition toward a more regenerative economy in forest-dependent communities
• Monitor and interpret relevant provincial and federal legislation and policy frameworks that affect Indigenous land governance and land management
• Translate complex policy and legislative content into accessible, actionable insights for Indigenous leadership and project teams
• Develop resources, case studies, tools, and policy recommendation materials for Indigenous audiences to support long-term land planning and decision-making
• Alongside the Director, maintain and deepen trusted relationships with Indigenous leadership, ensuring reciprocal, respectful engagement
• Travel to key communities as needed for fieldwork and community engagement
  
  

Required

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong understanding of forest economics in the British Columbia context
• Familiarity with conservation and nature-based finance approaches and mechanisms that could support transition toward place-based regenerative economies
• Knowledge of key provincial legislation, regulations, policies and frameworks concerning forests and lands, including forest tenures and licensing
• Experience in research, report writing and case study development
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with the ability to take initiative and work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Understanding of Canada’s colonial history, its ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities, and a commitment to reconciliation
  
  

Preferred

• Familiarity with Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
• Working understanding of forest inventory in British Columbia
• Experience working in or with governments
• Experience in rural, remote, or Indigenous communities in interior BC
• Prior leadership in securing and managing large public or philanthropic funding portfolios
  
  

Our Approach to Indigenous Partnerships

At Ecotrust Canada, we build long-term, reciprocal partnerships with Indigenous Nations. Our work in the Climate Resilience program is rooted in respect for Indigenous governance, knowledge systems, and self-determination. We work by invitation and in deep collaboration, supporting communities to access tools, funding, and networks to realize their goals for climate, conservation, and economic well-being.

Work-life Balance and Well-Being

Ecotrust Canada implements a 32-hour 4-day work week for full-time position staff, with flexibility to accommodate staff needs.

About Ecotrust Canada

Ecotrust Canada is an enterprising non-profit that works with rural, remote, and Indigenous communities toward building an economy that provides for a healthy and resilient natural environment; sustainable and abundant energy, food, and housing; prosperous and meaningful livelihoods; and vibrant cultures and inclusive societies. We call this approach building an economy that provides for life. Our on-the-ground work and systems approach is entrepreneurial, partnership-based, and relentlessly practical. To learn more, visit ecotrust.ca.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We will prioritize someone who is Indigenous for this role and who is from a rural, remote community in British Columbia — someone who understands first-hand our program’s mission, to nurture a vibrant and culturally relevant economy. Ecotrust Canada is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our mission. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our collective success, and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.

Reconciliation

Ecotrust Canada is committed to building respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities and peoples. We are committed to upholding and respecting Indigenous governance, rights, and title in the places we live, work, and dream together. For more information, please see our Framework for Advancing Reconciliation here.

Job Application

Please submit your resume and cover letter as a single PDF to [email protected] by August 25, 2026. Use a file name that follows this format: “Surname_First Name_EC_Economic_Lead”. Only applicants selected for interview will be contacted.

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