Bicycle Nova Scotia (BNS) is accepting applications for the Director of Blue Route Development and Cycling Advocacy. This position is core to our work and will be vital to the next stages of BNS’s work in moving forward the Blue Route, growing BNS’ projects in communities, and advocating for improved cycling infrastructure and safety. A desire to collaborate with partner organizations and institutions in Nova Scotia and beyond is important so that we are learning from others and sharing key messages with regards to the benefits of cycling to health, the environment and the economy. The position will work closely with other BNS staff and key board members and will be responsible for the direction of the organization in areas of Active Transportation (AT) and cycling advocacy. This position will also collaborate closely with our provincial partners in a variety of departments. Liaising with provincial partners will be key in securing and managing project/program funding.

The ideal candidate is someone who is passionate about cycling and its ability to create equity and joy; someone who is able to see the next opportunity to make change and is comfortable advocating for solutions and navigating obstacles.

Candidates interested in this position should be able to meet the following requirements:

• A post-secondary degree with at least one (1) year of experience in:
  • Urban Planning
  • Transportation Planning
  • Active Transportation
  • Community Development
  • Project Management
• Experience or familiarity with GIS or ESRI software
• Familiarity with policy and process development associated with Municipal and Provincial levels of government
• Knowledgeable about best practices in the field of active transportation planning
• Motivated to help shape and influence public policy and plans
• Passionate about cycling’s power to benefit individuals and communities (the successful applicant does not necessarily have to be a confident cyclist)
• Must have a valid drivers licence, as travel throughout the province will be required from time to time

In addition, the following qualifications and skills will be considered an asset:

• Exceptional communication skills as this position requires public speaking and media engagement
• Ability to create, monitor and manage an annual budget
• Excellent leadership and teamworking skills
• Strong organization skills and time management skills
• Familiarity with relevant municipal and provincial plans and policies
• Some experience or skill in organizational social media management

Some responsibilities and deliverables related to this position include:

• Lead community AT projects – primarily through the Blue Route Hubs program– which could include network planning and tactical urbanism initiatives
• Work collaboratively with organizations in Nova Scotia currently engaged in Active Transportation (AT) initiatives, including government and non-government
• Lead government grant proposals and manage contracts as necessary to fund annual work plan
• Work with municipal, provincial and community partners to reduce barriers to bicycling by advocating for and working collaboratively on improvements to infrastructure, design guidance, standards, policy and legislation
• Maintain and oversee the growth of the Blue Route provincial cycling network and related initiatives
• Manage BNS communications for the Blue Route provincial cycling network and work with the Board to develop and revise, as necessary, BNS’s Blue Route implementation strategy
• Supervise full time and seasonal staff
• Act as BNS seat on advisory committees and boards where applicable

Bicycle Nova Scotia offers a competitive compensation package, which includes:

• Paid vacation
• Paid sick days
• Partial remuneration of person cell phone expenses
• Health and dental benefits
• Opportunity to work remotely from anywhere in Nova Scotia or from the BNS Office at 5516 Spring Garden Road

Salary ranges between $54,000 to $62,000 based on qualifications and experience.

BNS will be accepting applications for the position until Mar 31st, 2022 at midnight. Please send applications  staff@bicycle.ns.ca with the subject line “Application: Director of BR and Development and Cycling Advocate” and in one PDF file containing a cover letter, resume and at least two references with the file name LastName_FirstName_Application. Candidates must include at least three (3) references as part of their list of references. Applicants may send up to two (2) additional files that they believe will demonstrate their qualifications or otherwise augment their applications.

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Bicycle Nova Scotia is supporting and building a provincial cycling culture through increasing access to and participation in safe cycling.

Bicycle Nova Scotia (BNS) is the Provincial Recreation Organization (PRO) and Provincial Sporting Organization (PSO) for Canada’s Ocean Playground. As such, BNS provides service to both recreational and competitive riders throughout Nova Scotia (NS). Since 2018, BNS has also provided rider accident insurance to all members whenever they ride, wherever they ride in Canada. In addition to this, BNS is also a coordinating body for cycle-racing in the province, and fosters high performance competition among youth thanks to guidance and leadership from our Provincial Coach.

BNS has been working closely with municipalities throughout the province to provide planning and design expertise as it relates to cycling and active transportation planning. Since 2019, communities including Mahone Bay, Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Antigonish, Port Hawkesbury and New Glasgow have taken steps to develop and deploy these plans in order to better accommodate cycling in their communities, and to draw cycle-tourists to more rural regions of the province.

Partnerships like this are crucial to connecting the province’s Blue Route network –a series of bicycle routes that facilitate cycling between urban and rural areas of the province. Please visit blueroute.ca for more information about this provincewide initiative.

BNS believes in inclusion, access and diversity. Members of the LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC communities are welcomed and encouraged to apply to this position. This includes, but is not limited to: Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender individuals.