Integrated Pest Management Coordinator

Job Title: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator

Reports To: Executive Director

Location: Remote (Alberta-based)

Position Type: Full-time Term Position (36.25 hours/week) until December 31, 2027, with the potential for extension pending funding.

Job Posting: https://abinvasives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/2026-11-09-Job-Posting-Integrated-Pest-Management-Job-Posting.pdf

Position Summary: The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator is an agricultural extension specialist responsible for developing and delivering programs focused on invasive plant management across Alberta's rangelands and pastures. Driving the execution of dual mandates funded by the Rangeland Sustainability Program (RSP) and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), this role is dedicated to enhancing producer resilience and environmental stewardship.

Acting as the primary liaison between the Alberta Invasive Species Council, agricultural producers, and Agricultural Service Boards (ASBs), the Coordinator facilitates direct stakeholder engagement to capture field-level feedback and identify practical barriers to IPM adoption. As a proactive problem-solver, the Coordinator must be ready to pivot and devise alternative strategies if initial efforts do not yield the necessary insights. By utilizing these insights to identify operational gaps, the Coordinator forges a clear, actionable path forward.

This role requires a candidate with an understanding of weed control, range and pasture management, and agricultural methods. The ultimate goal is to bridge the “information-toaction” gap by synthesizing raw needs assessment data into a comprehensive suite of digital elearning tools, practical field workshops, standardized planning templates, and plain-language educational resources. This position demands a strong technical background combined with the communication expertise necessary to drive community outreach and advance agricultural best practices.

This position requires a proactive, solutions-oriented professional who can independently drive projects forward within AISC's strategic direction. The successful candidate is expected to critically assess program activities and outcomes, identify gaps and opportunities, develop practical solutions, and bring forward well-considered recommendations. Working with the Executive Director for strategic guidance and as a sounding board, the position takes ownership of moving assigned projects from concept through implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program & Grant Coordination

• Lead the coordination of grant-funded projects (RSP and SCAP) related to integrated pest management, ensuring deliverables are completed on time and within budget.

• Maintain accurate project documentation and reporting for funders, working closely with the Financial-Administrative Officer to align spending with approved eligible expenses.

• Drive assigned projects from planning through implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement, proactively identifying gaps and addressing barriers to successful delivery.

• Critically assess program activities and outcomes to determine whether they are achieving their intended purpose, not simply whether deliverables have been completed.

• Support the strategic coordination of the Alberta Biocontrol Consortium to build provincial capacity and accelerate the development of biological control agents.

• Provide direct field assistance to the Biocontrol Lead during the summer season by helping collect, handle, and release insect biocontrol agents. Leverage regional site visits to actively scout potential new "nurse sites" for agent harvesting and promote the program to rangeland managers.

• Utilize stakeholder feedback to identify high-priority invasive weeds for future agent development, and contribute field data and Consortium findings to annual biocontrol and grant reports.

Stakeholder Engagement & Needs Assessment

• Lead stakeholder needs assessments by developing surveys, conducting in-field site visits, and facilitating discussions with producers and Agricultural Service Boards (ASBs).

• Analyze and interpret stakeholder data to identify operational, capacity, and governance gaps hindering weed management.

• Synthesize assessment findings into formal technical summaries, including 'Key Findings' and 'What We Heard' reports, to directly guide resource development.

• Implement inclusive engagement strategies to promote participation among diverse demographics, including Indigenous land managers, women in agriculture, young producers, and new Canadians.

Outreach, Education & Resource Development

• Develop, review, and revise technical educational materials, including plain-language fact sheets, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

• Work collaboratively with the team and contractors to design and launch interactive elearning modules, digital decision-support tools and website integration.

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver hands-on regional workshops and field demonstrations focused on early detection and integrated pest management controls.

• Produce digital extension content such as webinars, summary videos, podcasts, and social media materials to continually support agricultural literacy.

Organizational & Team Support

• Actively contribute to staff meetings, planning sessions, and team-building activities to maintain a positive, collaborative workplace culture.

• Support cross-program initiatives, organizational priorities, and responses to emerging invasive species issues as needed.

• Contribute to AISC’s internal planning processes, reporting requirements, and the implementation of the OH&S program.

• Assist with the planning and coordination of AISC’s events, including the annual conference and tradeshows.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or diploma in Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Science, Environmental Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and substantial practical experience.

• A minimum of 3 years of experience directly related to integrated pest management, range and pasture management, or agricultural extension.

• Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations, conducting surveys, and synthesizing complex public feedback into actionable recommendations or reports.

• Experience in digital content creation (such as web design, e-learning infographics, social media or hosting webinars) is desirable.

Knowledge & Skills

• A strong foundational understanding of integrated pest management (IPM) principles, chemical and biological control methods, and Alberta's agricultural sector.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust rapidly with rural producers, agricultural fieldmen, and municipal stakeholders.

• Demonstrated analytical skills required to compile survey data, assess operational/governance gaps, and track rigid quantitative project metrics.

• Excellent technical writing abilities to draft compelling plain-language fact sheets, planning templates, and formal stakeholder reports.

• Strong problem-solving and adaptive thinking skills, with a proven ability to pivot strategies, overcome project roadblocks, and implement effective alternative solutions.

Certifications/Licences

• Standard First Aid.

• Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s Licence (or provincial equivalent), a satisfactory driver’s abstract, and ongoing access to a reliable, insured vehicle.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work Environment: Remote, Alberta-based. The role requires significant travel throughout the province to rural municipalities and rangelands to conduct site visits, field demonstrations, and regional workshops. The ability to work some evenings and weekends may be required.

• Physical Demands: The position requires the ability to conduct fieldwork, including walking on uneven rangeland terrain, establishing photo monitoring plots, participating in hands-on weed control demonstrations, and managing physical event logistics. Must be able to safely lift, load, and carry training materials and event equipment weighing up to 50 lbs (23 kg).