Community Navigator

Clean Foundation; Sydney; On-site; CAD 62,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental insurance

RRSP matching

Paid vacation

Birthday off

Volunteer hours

Transit subsidy

Job summary

Clean Foundation in Sydney, NS seeks a Community Navigator to partner with municipalities and community organizations to advance climate adaptation and energy planning. You will build local relationships, develop customized work plans, and help communities access funding while communicating technical climate topics clearly to diverse audiences.

The role focuses on coastal resilience, municipal energy planning, and supporting projects from planning through implementation.

Qualifications

• We require a diploma in sustainability, environmental studies/science, civil engineering, renewable energy or related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in climate change or renewable energy work.
• Strong understanding of sustainability, climate adaptation/mitigation, and community resilience.
• Familiarity with NS climate impacts, coastal ecosystems and adaptation options.
• Excellent organization and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• As Community Navigator, you will advance local climate action with communities.
• Develop customized work plans for assigned communities.
• Research and apply climate adaptation/mitigation planning approaches.
• Engage stakeholders and rightsholders through meetings and events.
• Lead engagements and manage project timelines/deliverables.
• Identify funding opportunities and assist with applications.
• Represent Clean Foundation in stakeholder engagements.
• Track progress and report on assigned communities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Public speaking

Project coordination

Research & reporting

Policy understanding

Communication (verbal/written)

Team collaboration

Education

Diploma in sustainability/environmental studies/civil engineering/renewable energy

Job description

About Clean Foundation

Clean Foundation helps communities prepare for the realities of a changing climate, protecting local environments and building more resilient places to live and work. Based in Nova Scotia in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq, Clean delivers practical solutions to address complex environmental challenges. As a trusted partner to governments, non-profits and community organizations, we take climate priorities and help turn them into practical programs that deliver meaningful results. Our work responds to local needs, ensuring solutions are inclusive, resilient to climate change and support stronger economies regionally and across Canada.

Learn more at www.cleanfoundation.ca

What you’ll be doing

Are you a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional who is passionate about helping communities advance climate adaptation and mitigation at the community level? Clean Foundation is looking for a Community Navigator to join our team in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

As part of the community climate initiatives team, you will work directly with municipalities and community partners to identify and address local climate challenges, improve energy efficiency, support infrastructure planning and advance projects that help strengthen community resilience.

In this role, you will support the delivery of the Community Climate Capacity Program in select Cape Breton communities. You will build strong local relationships and help communities advance climate and infrastructure projects that meet local needs.

Your work will focus on renewable energy opportunities, municipal energy planning, climate adaptation, water infrastructure and industrial development. You will develop funding applications, coordinate with technical partners, support municipal climate initiatives and maintain regular contact with your communities through site visits and ongoing collaboration. You will use your knowledge of clean energy systems, municipal infrastructure and climate resilience to help communities advance complex projects from planning to implementation.

If you are passionate about climate action, enjoy building partnerships and want to help communities create lasting change, we’d love to hear from you.

Job requirements

We are looking for someone with experience in climate change and/or renewable energy who is comfortable presenting to and engaging with diverse audiences.

You are a great fit if you have:

• University or community college diploma in sustainability, environmental studies/science, civil engineering, renewable energy or a related field.
• One to two years of experience in climate change and/or renewable energy work.
• Demonstrable understanding and application of the principles of sustainability, climate change adaptation, mitigation, and community resilience.
• Familiarity with climate change impacts in Nova Scotia and the existing environmental policies and regulations, as well as coastal ecosystems and knowledge on coastal hazards and adaptation options.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities with competing timelines.
• Experience delivering training workshops, stakeholder meetings, and community outreach events or presentations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience writing reports and funding applications.
• Confidence speaking in public and representing complex information to a range of audiences.
• Experience representing projects or programs and translating technical information into plain language.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong problem‑solving skills.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• A valid Nova Scotia or other Canadian driver’s license.
• Ability to provide a satisfactory criminal record check and driver’s abstract upon hire.
• Candidates currently living in Cape Breton are strongly preferred.

Job responsibilities

As a Community Navigator, you will work with colleagues, communities and partners to advance local climate action.

You will:

• Support communities in implementing climate change initiatives and projects.
• Develop and lead customized work plans for assigned communities.
• Research climate adaptation, mitigation and community planning approaches that align with community priorities.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and rightsholders in relevant sectors through meetings, events and ongoing engagement.
• Conduct research and prepare written and verbal briefings on technical and sector‑specific topics.
• Lead community engagement activities and serve as Clean’s primary contact for assigned communities.
• Manage community‑based projects, including work plans, timelines deliverables, and competing priorities.
• Identify funding opportunities and support communities in developing funding applications.
• Represent Clean Foundation at various stakeholder, community and partner engagements.
• Track project progress and complete reporting requirements for assigned communities.
• Respond to public inquiries and communicate technical information to audiences with varying levels of knowledge and experience.
• Support municipalities and others in understanding coastal hazards and climate impacts and help them use available tools and resources to inform decision making.

Other duties as assigned

Job benefits

$62,000-$64,000

Starting salary will be determined based on experience, education and credentials, as well as organizational needs.

Perks and benefits

• Fully covered health and dental insurance plan and 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Program
• RRSP employer matching
• Paid vacation and wellness days
• You get your birthday off
• Paid volunteer hours
• Halifax public transit subsidy

Working conditions

This position is based in Sydney, NS. Candidates who live in Cape Breton or nearby communities are strongly preferred. Flexible hours may be required to meet operational needs. Occasional travel, including some overnight travel, may be required to attend community meetings, workshops and events.

Employment Equity

Clean is committed to Employment Equity, and our goal is to have a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. Qualified self-identifying First Nations, Metis and Inuit, Visible Minority Groups, Persons with Disabilities and LGBTQ2+ applicants will be strongly considered for this position. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your application.

All self-identification data is confidential and stored privately