Policy Research Assistant

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada; Toronto; Remote; CAD 48,000 - 51,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation pay

Paid sick and Personal emergency leave

Self-care days

DEIJA Team

Weekly Wellness sessions

Mentorship program

Job summary

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada is seeking a Policy Research Assistant to support applied research and policy analysis related to environmental law, policy, impact assessment, and the effects of major infrastructure and industrial development on nature. This is a remote, 7-month, part-time contract averaging 15 hours/week.

The successful candidate will review legislation, synthesize findings, and contribute to policy recommendations to advance conservation across Canada.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or has completed a Master's degree or PhD in a related field (e.g., Public Policy, Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Biology) or has equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience conducting academic or applied research, including literature reviews and synthesis of complex information.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret policy, legal, scientific, and technical documents.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a remote work environment.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental conservation, biodiversity, climate policy, or related issues.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize scientific, legal, policy, and technical information.
• Review and analyze federal, provincial, and territorial legislation, regulations, policies, guidance documents, and related materials.
• Examine environmental impact assessments, regulatory decisions, and project documentation to identify and compare approaches to managing environmental impacts.
• Support comparative analyses and case studies related to major infrastructure and industrial development projects.
• Organize research materials and maintain accurate records of sources, datasets, findings, and references.
• Provide research support for additional policy and conservation initiatives as required.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across programs and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and respectful workplace.
• Support WCS Canada's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in all aspects of work.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Literature review

Policy analysis

Remote collaboration

Multitasking

Education

Master's degree or PhD in related field

Equivalent experience

Tools

NVivo

Job description

Position Title: Policy ResearchAssistant

Position Level: 6

Position Type: Part-time, Term

Term: 7 months

Position Location: Remote in Canada

Date Written/Revised: November 9, 2026

Reports To: Victoria Goodday, Public Policy Specialist

Supervises (Direct supervision only): Not Applicable

Vacancy: Currently open

Salary Range: $34.62-$37.36 per hour depending on experience

Preferred Start date: December 7, 2026

Position Contact: Victoria Goodday, Public Policy Specialist

Benefits: Vacation pay, Paid sick and Personal emergency leave, Self-care days, DEIJA Team, Weekly Wellness sessions, Mentorship program.

Application Closing Date: 27 November 2026.

Position Summary

WCS Canada is seeking a Policy ResearchAssistant to support applied research and policy analysis related to environmental law, policy, impact assessment, and the impacts of major infrastructure and industrial development on nature. This is a contract position averaging 15 hours per week for roughly seven months, from early/mid-December to late June or early July (exact dates to be set with the successful candidate). The position is well suited to a Master’s or PhD student or recent graduate, but applicants from other backgrounds are welcome.

Working closely with the Public Policy Specialist, the Policy Research Assistant will conduct literature reviews, analyze legislation and policy documents, review environmental assessment and regulatory records, and synthesize research findings to inform policy recommendations and organizational priorities. Initial research will focus on how Canadian laws and regulatory processes address impacts to nature, including how cumulative effects associated with major infrastructure projects are assessed and managed.

The position is ideal for an individual with a strong interest in environmental policy, conservation, and applied research. The role offers an opportunity to contribute to evidence-based policy development and support WCS Canada's efforts to advance conservation outcomes across Canada.

Position Objectives

• Support research and analysis related to environmental policy, impact assessment, permitting, and major infrastructure development in Canada.

• Strengthen the evidence base used to understand and evaluate how impacts to nature are addressed through laws, regulations, policies, and project review processes.

• Support WCS Canada's position as a trusted source of conservation and environmental policy expertise.

Principal Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize scientific, legal, policy, and technical information.

• Review and analyze federal, provincial, and territorial legislation, regulations, policies, guidance documents, and related materials.

• Examine environmental impact assessments, regulatory decisions, and project documentation to identify and compare approaches to managing environmental impacts.

• Support comparative analyses and case studies related to major infrastructure and industrial development projects.

• Organize research materials and maintain accurate records of sources, datasets, findings, and references.

• Provide research support for additional policy and conservation initiatives as required.

• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across programs and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and respectful workplace.

• Support WCS Canada's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in all aspects of work.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Currently enrolled in or has completed a Master's degree or PhD program in a related field (e.g., Public Policy, Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Biology) or has equivalent experience.

• Demonstrated experience conducting academic or applied research, including literature reviews and synthesis of complex information.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret policy, legal, scientific, and technical documents.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a remote work environment.

• Demonstrated interest in environmental conservation, biodiversity, climate policy, or related issues.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of Canada's federal impact assessment framework and environmental regulatory systems.

• Familiarity with major infrastructure development processes and related policy issues.

• Experience reviewing legislation, regulations, government policies, or environmental assessment documentation.

• Experience with qualitative research methods and qualitative analysis software such as NVivo.

• Knowledge of biodiversity conservation, cumulative effects assessment, the mitigation hierarchy, or natural resource management.

• Understanding of Indigenous rights, governance, and participation in environmental decision-making processes.

Accessibility and inclusivity

WCS Canada is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. We are dedicated to providing accommodations throughout the hiring process, in accordance with applicable accessibility and human rights legislation.

If you require accommodations at any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact us via email at [e-mail] or by phone at 437-770-2776. We will work with you to meet your needs in a timely and respectful manner.

We recognize that strong candidates may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed qualification. If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity and believe you have relevant experience and skills, we encourage you to apply.

About WCS Canada

WCS Canada (www.wcscanada.org) was established as a Canadian conservation organization in July 2004. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, and equal opportunity. Our mission is to save wildlife and wild places by improving our understanding of and seeking solutions to critical problems that threaten key species and large wild ecosystems throughout Canada. We implement and support comprehensive field studies that gather information on wildlife needs and then seek to resolve key conservation problems by working with a broad array of actors. WCS Canada has a track record of our science being recognized as relevant, credible and legitimate by researchers, NGOs and agencies. WCS Canada is independently registered and managed, while retaining a strong collaborative working relationship with sister Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) programs in more than 60 countries.

Diversity and inclusion are core WCS Canada values. We value the diversity of the people we employ and work with and we strive to provide an inclusive and equitable workplace in which we recognize the unique characteristics, skills and experiences of all employees. We are committed to engaging our employees in our diversity, equity and inclusion work and together we aim to create a workplace where all staff feel they belong and can grow.

WCS Canada’s programs occur on the homelands of Indigenous Peoples whose relationships various governments are described in historic Treaties, modern land claim agreements, and negotiations around unceded lands. We recognize and support Indigenous Peoples in Indigenous-led conservation initiatives as well as the international ecological and social commitments and responsibilities to Indigenous Peoples that Canada has signed, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Our commitment to collaboration with Indigenous Peoples ranges from provision of scientific advice to co-creation of research and conservation priorities. We respect Indigenous knowledge systems and include Indigenous ways of knowing in research and conservation programs. We engage in land use planning and impact assessment processes that affect Indigenous Peoples, seeking ways to advance conservation as well as opportunities to sustain the livelihoods and cultures of Indigenous communities. We seek to motivate positive conservation outcomes by supporting effective governance and decision-making processes by Indigenous communities, particularly by supporting Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas.

WCS Canada is committed to contributing to the field of conservation science and the professional development of its employees. Employees are encouraged to participate in professional societies and present their research at conferences and meetings, as well as participate in relevant workshops and training opportunities. Employees are likewise encouraged to mentor graduate students, participate in relevant graduate student committees, and pursue adjunct status with universities as appropriate.