Program Manager-CPPFE

Are you passionate about conservation, partnership-building, and advancing landscape-scale environmental initiatives? The Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange (CPPFE) is seeking an experienced and Strategic Program Manager, a Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator and a Senior Capacity Building Coordinator to lead us into our next phase of development.

Hosted by Meewasin, CPPFE works across Western Canada to advance the safe, professional, and ecologically appropriate use of prescribed fire through training, knowledge sharing, partner collaboration, and practitioner support.

1. Program Manager-CPPFE

Full-Time | 4-Year Term

Start Date: November 2026

WHAT YOU'L DO

• Lead the implementation and continued development of CPPFE's strategic priorities and annual work plans, build and strengthen regional partnerships and collaborative networks.
• Manage program budgets, funding agreements, reporting, and accountability requirements.
• Lead and support a high-performing, collaborative team.
• Guide governance processes and serve as the primary staff liaison to the CPPFE Steering Committee.
• Monitor program performance and drive continuous improvement and shapen the future growth and sustainability of prescribed fire capacity-building across the Canadian Prairies.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We're seeking a dynamic leader with:

• A degree or diploma in natural resource management, environmental science, program management, or a related discipline.

• A minimum of seven years of experience in program management, project leadership, partnership development, and people leadership.

• Strong strategic planning, communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.

• Experience managing complex, multi-partner initiatives and collaborative networks, budgets, grants, reporting, and program accountability and an understanding of conservation, land management, agriculture, wildfire or prescribed fire, and prairie ecosystems and a commitment to relationship-building, collaboration, and advancing meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations.

WHY JOIN US?

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of prescribed fire capacity-building in Canada while contributing to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, wildfire risk reduction, and cultural land stewardship. You'll work alongside an engaged network of practitioners and partners dedicated to creating healthier, more resilient prairie landscapes.

Send your resume (Word or PDF) and cover letter to Sign in to view email with competition code PM2609 in the subject line. Application Deadline: September 21, 2026

2.Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator-CPPFE

Full-Time | 4-Year Term

Start Date: November 2026

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Build and maintain strong relationships with landowners, agricultural producers, Indigenous communities, municipalities, fire departments, agencies, and conservation organizations.
• Support the development of Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs), Provincial Prescribed Fire Councils, and other collaborative networks across the Prairie Provinces.
• Facilitate workshops, meetings, community discussions, and engagement activities that help groups move from interest to action and coordinate community and partner participation in CPPFE training, workshops, exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Connect communities with relevant expertise, resources, training opportunities, funding opportunities, and practitioner networks.
• Support program planning, evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts across the CPPFE.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We're seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative professional with:

• A degree or diploma in natural resource management, agriculture, environmental studies, social sciences, planning, or a related field.

• Three to five years of experience in community engagement, partnership development, stakeholder relations, collaborative conservation, rural or community development, program coordination, or related roles with strong communication, facilitation, relationship-building, and organizational skills.

• Experience working with rural communities, agricultural producers, Indigenous communities and organizations, municipalities, agencies, or nonprofit organizations.

• The ability to facilitate discussions, build trust, and support collaborative decision-making among diverse groups.

• Knowledge of prairie ecosystems, agriculture, conservation, prescribed fire, wildfire, or natural resource management is considered an asset.

WHY JOIN US?

This is a unique opportunity to work directly with communities across Western Canada to strengthen local leadership, expand prescribed fire capacity, and support healthier, more resilient prairie landscapes. You'll help build meaningful partnerships and contribute to conservation, biodiversity, wildfire risk reduction, and cultural land stewardship.

Send your cover letter and resume as one PDF or Word document to Sign in to view email using competition code CEPC2609 in the subject line.

3.Senior Capacity Building Coordinator

Full-Time | 4-Year Term

Start Date: November 2026

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead the development and coordination of practitioner learning, mentorship, and leadership-development initiatives across the Prairie Provinces.
• Design and deliver training opportunities including workshops, webinars, field days, peer exchanges, communities of practice, and professional development programs.
• Coordinate CPPFE Training Exchanges (TREX), experiential learning opportunities, participant logistics, mentors, instructors, and operational support.
• Develop practical curricula, toolkits, guides, case studies, and learning resources that translate fire science and practitioner knowledge into actionable tools.
• Build relationships with agencies, Indigenous communities, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, conservation organizations, and experienced fire practitioners.
• Supervise and mentor capacity-building support staff while fostering a collaborative, professional, and safety-focused team culture.
• Support workplace safety, equipment readiness, and operational planning for training and field-based activities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We're seeking a motivated and experienced professional with:

• A degree or diploma in natural resource management, environmental science, agriculture, wildfire management, emergency management, education, adult learning, organizational development, or a related discipline.

• Five years of progressive experience, or three years in a closely related role.

• Experience in prescribed fire, practitioner development, training coordination, adult education, field operations, program delivery, or related capacity-building environments.

• Demonstrated success designing and delivering training, workshops, mentorship programs, experiential learning opportunities, and professional development initiatives for adult learners with strong facilitation, organizational, communication, writing, and coordination skills.

• Experience in conservation, wildfire, agriculture, land management, emergency management, or related fields is considered a strong asset with a passion for helping practitioners grow their skills, confidence, leadership capacity, and professional networks.

WHY JOIN US?

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of prescribed fire capacity-building in Canada. You'll work directly with practitioners, agencies, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, and training partners to develop learning opportunities that strengthen ecological stewardship, wildfire resilience, biodiversity conservation, and community capacity across the Prairies.

Send your cover letter and resume as one Word or PDF document to Sign in to view email using competition code CBC2609 in the subject line.

Visit: grasslandfire.ca to learn more about CPPFE and the role.