Water Policy Coordinator, Healthy Great Lakes

Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA)

Part-time position / Term (June 2023 to June 2024)

Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is a legal aid clinic dedicated to environmental equity, justice, and health. Founded in 1970, CELA is one of the oldest environmental advocates for environmental protection in the country. With funding from Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), CELA provides free legal services relating to environmental justice in Ontario, including representing qualifying low-incomeand vulnerable or disadvantaged communities in litigation. CELA also works on environmental legal education and reform initiatives.

CELA is currently hiring a part-time Water Policy Coordinator for the Healthy Great Lakes program. CELA encourages applicants from equity‐seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are of Indigenous descent, members of LGBTQI2S, persons with disabilities, members of racialized communities and women.

With funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, CELA’s Healthy Great Lakes program engages a broad network of individuals and organizations in shaping, implementing, and making use of laws and policies that protect and restore the waters of the Great Lakes, St Lawrence River and Ottawa River basin.

Reporting to the Executive Director, and working collaboratively with the Engagement Coordinator, Healthy Great Lakes, the Water Policy Coordinator will be responsible for achieving the deliverables and overseeing the strategic objectives in CELA’s Healthy Great Lakes program. This program includes priority initiatives related to ensuring safe drinking water for everyone, addressing lead contamination in drinking water, increasing Indigenous engagement, and building water policy resources for Indigenous communities and environmental non-government organizations.

Experience and competencies required:

• Demonstrated commitment to community and/or legal work related to the protection and restoration of the waters of the Great Lakes, St Lawrence River and Ottawa River basin.
• Preference will be given to candidates with relevant experience in or deep understanding of Indigenous legal traditions, ways of knowing, and relationships with waters.
• Experience with water policy and legal frameworks in Ontario is essential.
• Computer literacy and ability to work independently and within a team is essential.
• The ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing is essential.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Monitors for and conducts analysis of legislative and policy developments relating to freshwater in Ontario
• Participates in public outreach and community development activities
• Builds relationships with water champions, with a focus on growing engagement with Indigenous partners and communities
• Works in collaboration with the Healthy Great Lakes program’s Engagement Coordinator

CELA values, but does not require, language capacities in addition to English, as well as lived experience relevant to environmental legal needs of equity-seeking groups. For example, CELA values persons with lived experience in local and Indigenous knowledge systems, as well as experience working with racialized, vulnerable and diverse communities who CELA serves.

CELA offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The per annum equivalent salary is $74,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience and is pro-rated to 2.5 days per week. The position also includes enrolment in our health benefits program and an additional CELA contribution to retirement benefits. The position is unionized.

CELA will begin reviewing applications received on May 12, 2023 and will continue to receive applications until the position is satisfactorily filled.

To be considered, please submit your cover letter and resumé to Tracy Tucker at tracy@cela.ca.

CELA thanks all candidates in advance for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please advise if you require any accommodations.