Senior Program Advisor

Company Description

CWN is a national non-profit that supports decision-makers in addressing complex water-related

challenges at the intersection of Communities, Health, and Climate. CWN convenes crosssectoral

networks of professionals to promote peer-to-peer learning, catalyze collaboration and

accelerate action. Learn more about CWN on our website.

Role Description

The Senior Program Advisor works closely with the Director, Communities, other CWN team

members and municipal staff from the Regions of Peel, Durham, Halton and the City of Toronto

to support the Lake Ontario Collaborative Group (LOCG). The LOCG is a long-standing

collaborative among municipalities, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and

the CTC Source Protection Planning staff at Credit Valley Conservation. CWN is the Program

Delivery Provider to support the municipal collaboration for the LOCG. In addition to supporting

and growing the LOCG, the Program Advisor will foster and develop additional collaboratives in

support of cross-jurisdictional water management

As a Senior Program Advisor, you will also assist with developing annual work plans for the

LOCG program, and convening LOCG staff and directors to ensure the LOCG program is on

track. This is a full-time, one-year position with the possibility of a two-year extension, subject

to funding.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Work closely with municipal technical staff and Directors to ensure a strong cross jurisdictional collaboration in support of the LOCG program
• Plan and implement an overarching program work plan, with appropriate program coordination and implementation timelines, compile annual budgets working closely with municipal staff and maintain a 10-year budget forecast for the collaborating municipalities.
• Ensure ongoing engagement and communication with program participants, including staff from municipalities, conservation authorities, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Environment and Climate Change Canada and academic staff who have active research in the area of large lake hydrodynamics, modelling (e.g., MIKE), real-time water quality monitoring and data management
• Organize, schedule, convene and facilitate regular meetings of the municipal staff team, municipal directors, technical working group, communities of practice and LOCG Steering Committee.
• Maintain and adapt the long-term sustainability plan for the LOCG program and identify opportunities to leverage the LOCG work to grow the collective understanding of the nearshore Lake Ontario environment, including the implications of taste and odour issues near drinking water intakes, and the risk of pathogens in the nearshore of Lake Ontario among other contaminants or threats.
• Maintain program documentation and provide regular reports on progress to Municipal staff and Directors and maintain the program’s collaborative SharePoint site
• Act as a technical resource on lake water quality, and the transport and fate of pollutant spills in Lake Ontario to Municipal staff and Directors

Leverage CWN’s capacity and experience in supporting the LOCG collaboration across

Canada that will foster and develop similar collaboratives Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of large lake limnological processes, lake monitoring and modelling approaches, including hydrodynamic models (e.g., MIKE) and real-time monitoring of physical parameters, and the use of multi-probe data sondes, and continuous data management platforms/databases.
• Knowledge of drinking water source protection planning in Ontario and the Clean Water Act, 2006 requirements for Lake Ontario through the CTC Source Protection Plan.
• Strong relationship-building and partnership development skills to build trust across municipalities and program stakeholders to ensure a strong collaboration among key stakeholders of the LOCG
• Skilled in facilitation, moderation and consensus-building of LOCG partners in support of ensuring a long-term sustainable program
• Knowledge of and skill in using SharePoint as a mechanism for maintaining collaboration.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for documenting progress of the LOCG program, including writing reports and briefing notes

Education and experience

• A minimum of a Masters of Science in limnology, aquatic ecology and large lake processes
• Experience with large lake models, real time water quality monitoring and continuous data management
• Experience in supporting a large program with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in developing and implementing new programs or projects

Why Canadian Water Network?

We have a collaborative culture filled with genuinely good people who want to make an impact

in the water sector. In this role, you will join a well-respected nonprofit to mobilize knowledge

with current and emerging water leaders across Canada to advance, accelerate and improve

decision-making in the water, health, climate and communities’ space. Our flexible work policy

– we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize balance

in yours.

Work environment

Although CWN offices are in Waterloo, Ontario, our team works in a hybrid environment, where

most staff work from home and come together in person monthly.

Terms of employment

The Senior Program Advisor is a full-time fixed-term contract position beginning April 1, 2026

until March 31, 2027 with possibility of extension of up to two years, subject to funding. You

must be located, and have the legal right to work, in Canada.

This position is based in Ontario, specifically the Greater Toronto – Waterloo areas.

This position may require some travel.

Application instructions

Please send your resume and cover letter in English, sharing your interest in this position to

careers@cwn-rce.ca as soon as possible; we will begin interviewing candidates in early March

2, 2026. Our commitment is to support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment

and hire the best candidate. To eliminate any bias in our application review process, please

withhold all identifying information from your application’s attachments (including your

name, address, personal social media accounts, etc.). Your name and contact information

should be included in the body of your email so we can contact interview candidates.

Land Acknowledgement

Canadian Water Network (CWN) respectfully recognizes and acknowledges the deep

connection that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada have with the land that all

Canadians call home. We also honour and recognize the significance of the treaties that

establish the relationship between Indigenous peoples and settlers on this land.

Our office is located in Waterloo, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Neutral,

Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. More specifically, our office is situated on the

Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that extends six miles on each side of the

Grand River.

We are grateful for the privilege to work and live on this land.

Salary Band

The Senior Program Advisor band is between $88-102K