Operations Manager

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society is hiring for a four day per week, one-year contract ‘Operations Manager’ position.

About Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary:

The Nature Sanctuary Society is a registered non-profit charity organization that fosters understanding and appreciation of nature through direct experience. For nearly 50 years the Nature Sanctuary has offered educational programming for millions of people to forge deeper connections to nature on lands and waters that are home to an incredible array of native plants and animals.

We acknowledge that the Nature Sanctuary is on the ancestral territories of the lək ̓ʷəŋən peoples, represented by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, represented by the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations.

We respect the vital relationships of First Peoples with these lands and waters for countless generations. We are honoured to receive Indigenous guidance and welcome collaboration in stewardship and appreciation of the Nature Sanctuary.

The Nature Sanctuary lands are owned by the District of Saanich, except for two small parcels that are Nature Trust BC Lands. The lands are governed by the Board of Directors of the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society, a non-profit and Registered Charity organization, under the terms of a Land Management Agreement between the Society and the Municipality of Saanich.

Read more about the Nature Sanctuary by navigating the links at the following URL and our conservation, restoration and education goals as outlined in our Strategic Plan, linked at the following URL.

About the position:

Working closely with the Executive Director and other administrative staff, the Operations Manager will provide key oversight of our internal operations, and lead and support the delivery of other organizational project work. The Operations Manager’s main areas of focus will be Human Resources, and financial administration, with a portfolio that includes contracts, policy compliance, risk management, and member, and donor support.

This position is a good fit for you if you are interested in being a central part of our team as we continue to serve our community as a gathering place for inclusive ecological conservation and environmental education. We are looking for someone with proficient project management skills, as well as a highly professional and collegial attitude, sense of accountability, and strong value alignment with our work to ensure equitable access to high integrity nature.

Specifications: 

• One position available on-site in Victoria, BC
• 28 hours/week, one-year contract with the possibility for extension. Probationary review at three months.
• Schedule Monday – Thursday 9-4:30; half hour unpaid lunch. Some flexibility required to support occasional events.
• Annualized compensation package $63,000-$66,000, depending on experience, to be pro-rated for 28 hours / week
• Our workplace includes flexible work scheduling, 12 observed paid holidays with optional time off between Dec 25 and Jan 1, professional development programming, 4% vacation, 70h paid personal time (pro-rated for part time), and 10% cash benefits allowance for extended health and dental coverage.
• Ideal start date: early June 2024

Duties include: 

Human Resources:

• Lead the review and maintenance of all Human Resource-related documentation and systems (e.g. annual workplans, onboarding, benefits package management, and performance reviews)
• Oversee and support hiring and onboarding new staff, including developing job descriptions, recruiting, interviewing, and training
• Support identifying, applying for and managing positions funded by government wage subsidy programs
• Manage team culture and development, including identifying and coordinating opportunities such as team events, and other Professional Development opportunities to ensure wellness, advancement and recognition throughout our workplace

Financials:

• Lead financial administration in partnership with the Executive Director, Bookkeeper and other administrative staff including payroll oversight, month end reconciliation, procurement, invoicing, contractors’ and other professional fees, and tax filing and remittances using Quickbooks Online
• Maintain financial management systems and documentation to ensure efficient and accurate financial tracking across projects and funding sources to ensure performance is balanced to funding availability and strategic plan goals

Other Operations:

• Support annual planning for Nature Sanctuary staff: priority setting and work plans
• Oversee the renewal and submission of annual contracts and other required metrics and reports for the Board and other stakeholders (e.g., insurance, grant, and rental agreements)
• Oversee the maintenance of records of the Society's business activities (e.g. Society Annual Reports, and other digital documentation)
• Support provincial and federal compliance with all organizational policies and procedures and ensure that they are current, enforced and regularly reviewed
• Support membership and donor development programs
• Act on behalf of the Executive Director in their absence
• Provide other strategic supports for the organization and participate in collective work as needed (e.g. communications, event help)

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated awareness and alignment with our organization’s structure, values, mission and vision
• University, College or equivalent degree or diploma in business, office administration or accounting, or equivalent in skills and experience
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detailwith excellent ability to connect daily tasks to longer-term, overarching strategic goals
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial administration, legislation and professional practices of Canadian non-profits or ability to learn quickly
• Ability to efficiently take full ownership of projects, from inception to completion, and suggest improvements and problem-solve independently as needed
• Comfortable and experienced using PC computers, including modern communications and collaborative computing programs, and applications (e.g. Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, QuickBooks)
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with an outgoing, inclusive, and welcoming nature that motivates and encourages others
• Ability to demonstrate patience and empathy when working with Nature Sanctuary staff, volunteers and others encountered in the course of work, including tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive situations
• Ability to be a resourceful and proactive problem-solverwho notices gaps and drafts solutions
• Strong written and oral communication skills (specifically in English) with ability to create clear, accurate and concise records and reports
• Strong understanding of anti-oppression with either formal or informal training and/or skills
• Ability to provide a satisfactory Criminal Records Check for vulnerable populations

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• A demonstrated commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
• Experience supervising and managing staff
• Physical capacity to lift up to 30lbs, (e.g. adaptive equipment, event tents)
• Accurately type at a speed necessary to meet position requirements
• Ability to quickly learn about Nature Sanctuary, policies and procedures applicable to operations, terminology, technical work processes and local, provincial and federal requirements applicable to areas of assigned responsibility
• Class 5 driver’s license and reliable transportation

Assets:

• Fundraising experience
• Interest in Natural History
• Inspired by good tea and/or baked goods

Eligibility

The above job description represents generally what we are seeking for this position, however we are open to folks who may have other skills to share. If you find either this position or our workplace of interest, please consider applying.

To learn more about our workplace and possible accommodations, please email Dr. Cara Gibson – cgibson [at] swanlake.bc.ca

Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary requires all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical or for reasons recognized by the BC Human Rights Act may request accommodations.

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society is committed to creating mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples. We strive to create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and understanding.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a community-focused organization. We centre human dignity and growing our connections to each other and to our environment. We believe that each of us is responsible for addressing discrimination and that we co-create peace and good relationships. We are committed to building a diverse staff and will be hiring through an equity lens.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of this work however the list is not exhaustive and other duties and responsibilities will occur. The Nature Sanctuary retains the right to amend responsibilities.

To Apply:

Please use our online portal and follow the instructions located at this URL.

Please include two references (email addresses and phone numbers) with your resume.

Application deadline: Please apply as soon as possible for consideration.

Interviews anticipated to begin: May 27, 2024

Position to begin: early June, 2024

We are grateful to all applicants, however, due to the volume of applications that we receive and the size of our staff team, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are unable to provide feedback or career coaching, but refer people to the following provincial resources and other local resources [URLs embedded].