Research Impact Facilitator, Wildfire, Research and Facilitation

ubc; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 64,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

UBC Okanagan is seeking a Research Impact Facilitator for Wildfire to bridge academic research and practical applications. The role engages Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, government agencies, and industry partners to mobilize wildfire research into usable tools and policies.

The incumbent will cultivate partnerships, lead co-design of extension programs, and support funding and training initiatives across the Faculty of Science's research ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a liaison between the university and external entities, including First Nations, NGOs, private industry, and government organizations.
• Cultivates and maintains long-term relationships with diverse partners to ensure meaningful engagement and knowledge mobilization.
• Co-designs and coordinates extension programs and tactical plans with knowledge users and community partners.
• Identifies partner interests and aligns them with research opportunities for social impact in wildfire science.
• Translates complex scientific data into accessible materials such as technical notes, policy briefs, and decision-support tools.
• Plans and hosts workshops, seminars, field tours, and in-person gatherings to facilitate knowledge transfer.

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level A

Job Title
Research Impact Facilitator, Wildfire, Research and Facilitation

Department
UBCO | Research and Faculty | Dean's Office | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

Compensation Range
$5,692.25 - $8,179.50 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

In alignment with UBC Okanagan's Faculty of Science Strategic Plan, the Research Impact Facilitator plays a pivotal role in advancing the University's wildland fire research agenda by bridging the gap between academic innovation and real-world application. The incumbent is responsible for cultivating and managing complex, multi-sectoral partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, government agencies, industry leaders, and international academic institutions. By identifying strategic opportunities for knowledge mobilization, the Facilitator ensures that emerging wildland fire science and technology are translated into practical tools, evidence-based policies, and collaborative programs that enhance wildfire resilience across Canada and globally. Working across administrative and academic units within the Faculty, the Facilitator provides expert support for partnership development, interdisciplinary collaboration, funding proposals, strategic communications, and training programs, ultimately ensuring that UBC Okanagan's research delivers measurable benefits to society and the environment.

Job Summary

The Research Impact Facilitator, Wildland Fire serves as a strategic liaison and collaborative bridge between academic research and practical application. The Facilitator fosters a dynamic, two-way flow of knowledge where insights from industry, government, and community are valued and can inform research directions.

This role is deeply rooted in co-production. The Facilitator actively listens to and learns from resource managers, community partners, and industry stakeholders to identify emerging trends, systemic challenges, and real-world information needs. By bridging these insights with academic capabilities, the Facilitator co-creates practical, collaborative solutions to complex problems, ensuring that research is both informed by community realities and mobilized effectively for maximum societal impact.

Organizational Status

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Research, the Facilitator plays a central role in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science's mission to move beyond discovery, actively mobilizing scientific results to generate tangible social, environmental, and/or economic impacts across British Columbia and beyond.

Work Performed

Liaison & Outreach:

• Acts as a primary point of contact between the University and external entitiles, including First Nations, NGOs, private industry, and government organizations.
• Liases with researchers, internal UBC teams (Development, Vice Principal Research and Innovation, Office of Research Services etc.) to coordinate/assist partner relationships.
• Cultivates and maintains long-term relationships with diverse interested and affected parties ensuring meaningful engagement of those with lived experience relevant to the research.
• Co-designs, coordinates, and implements comprehensive extension programs and tactical plans with knowledge users and community partners.
• Identifies partner interests and align with research opportunities.
• Interprets and translates complex scientific data into accessible materials, such as technical notes, policy briefs, decision-support tools, and multimedia products.
• Identifies opportunities for, and supports development and management of, Continuing Professional Education programs to address knowledge gaps and needs, and foster innovation. May identify funding, develop proposals, and manage budgets related to continuing professional education.
• Plans and hosts workshops, seminars, field tours, and in-person gatherings to facilitate knowledge