SBEP Membership Outreach Specialist

About Us

ECO Canada is the steward for the Canadian environmental workforce across all industries. From job creation and wage funding to training and labour market research - we champion the end-to-end career of an environmental professional. We work with the federal, provincial, and municipal governments in all Canadian regions to support economic growth and environmental stewardship as best practices.

When you work at ECO Canada, you are supporting the growth of an abundant environmental workforce. Along with competitive benefits and compensation, we provide the opportunity to work alongside a dynamic team that values collaboration, high performance, and, of course, celebrating our successes! We believe that rewarding, meaningful work should be part of every step of the career journey.

Job Description

Are you looking for a role where you will truly make a difference and grow Canada’s blue economy workforce? ECO Canada is seeking a performance-driven SBEP Membership Outreach Specialist to join the Professional Services team immediately. The core objective of this role is to increase Sustainable Blue Economy Professional (SBEP) designation membership significantly by conducting targeted outreach to organizations and individuals across ocean, marine, coastal, and adjacent sectors.

As a key member of the Professional Services team, the SBEP Membership Outreach Specialist will be responsible for driving applications and conversions across the SBEP designation pathway (SBEPt, SBEP, and SBEP Specialized). While each member of ECO Canada has individual responsibilities, ECO takes a team-based approach. Everyone is encouraged to take ownership of their ideas and to see them through to completion, collaborating with key influencers as required.

This is a membership-growth assignment under the Blue Economy Project. Success is measured by a significant increase in SBEP designation inquiries, completed applications, and awarded memberships (SBEPt, SBEP, and SBEP Specialized), including employer-supported cohorts.

This is a 3-month full-time contract position (approximately 13 weeks), with an anticipated start as soon as the role is filled and an end date three months from the start date.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute a 3-month outreach campaign to increase SBEP designation membership among individuals and organizations in Canada and partner markets.
• Identify, map, and prioritize target audiences across blue economy sectors: fisheries and aquaculture; marine renewable energy; shipping and maritime transport; coastal tourism; ocean data and technology; offshore minerals and resources; marine conservation; and adjacent industries with transferable competencies.
• Conduct direct outreach to professionals eligible for SBEPt (emerging practitioners with less than five years in the blue economy), SBEP (5+ years of experience with at least two years in the blue economy or aligned adjacent sectors), and SBEP Specialized (5+ years of sector-specific experience and demonstrated sector competencies).
• Engage employers, industry associations, Indigenous organizations, post-secondary institutions, ports, ocean clusters, and government partners to promote organizational uptake, group applications, and employer support for SBEP designation.
• Clearly communicate the value of SBEP membership: national and international recognition; competency validation against Blue National Occupational Standards (BNOS); ethics and professional practice standards; exclusive networks and meet-ups; 25% discount on ECO Canada training and events; mentorship and thought-leadership opportunities; and employer benefits (clearer hiring, reduced onboarding risk and cost).
• Guide prospects through the application journey: eligibility check, Applicant Guide and Body of Knowledge, Code of Ethics / ethics exam, application package, fees (application and ethics exam), and annual renewal and professional development requirements (15 PD credits across at least three categories plus 6 employment credits; annual renewal fee).
• Convert inquiries into submitted applications and support candidates through validation so membership numbers rise measurably within the contract term.
• Track a pipeline of leads, applications in progress, conversions by designation level (SBEPt / SBEP / SBEP Specialized), employer vs. individual channels, and sector, and report weekly progress against membership-growth targets.
• Coordinate with Certification (including the Director of Certification) and Blue Economy Project colleagues on messaging, events, webinars, and follow-up from existing SBEP information sessions.
• Support international and partnership channels already established for SBEP rollout, including academic partnerships and knowledge-transfer activities, while keeping the focus on membership growth.
• Represent ECO Canada professionally in calls, meetings, conferences, and digital outreach; maintain CRM or tracking records; and hand off a documented pipeline at the end of the 3-month contract.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in membership growth, sales, business development, partnership outreach, or recruitment conversion—preferably in professional designations, associations, education, or the environmental / ocean sector.
• Strong verbal and written communication; confident cold and warm outreach to senior industry, academic, Indigenous, and government contacts.
• Ability to explain a competency-based professional designation (eligibility, fees, ethics exam, specializations, renewal) in plain language that converts interest into applications.
• Organized, target-driven, and comfortable with a short-term mandate that must produce a significant lift in membership numbers within 13 weeks.
• Proficiency with CRM or pipeline tracking, Microsoft 365, LinkedIn, and virtual meeting tools.
• Cultural competency and respect for Indigenous engagement, OCAP principles, and Two-Eyed Seeing; comfort working with coastal and international partners.
• Valid eligibility to work in Canada. Willingness to work from ECO Canada’s Calgary head office at least 3 days per week for the duration of the contract. Occasional travel may be required.

 Education and Experience

• Post-secondary education in business, communications, environmental studies, marine/ocean sciences, public policy, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and outreach experience accepted.
• 2–5 years of relevant outreach, membership, sales, or program-development experience.
• Knowledge of Canada’s blue economy, ocean industries, or professional certification pathways is a strong asset. Familiarity with ECO Canada’s SBEP / EP® designation family is an asset.
• Experience working with industry associations, post-secondary institutions, or international partners is an asset.

 Why Join ECO Canada?

• Be part of a passionate, mission-driven team supporting Canada’s environmental workforce.
• Gain hands-on experience across multiple areas of the environmental sector.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within a supportive environment.
• Collaborative workplace culture where your ideas are valued and encouraged.
• Lead a focused campaign to grow the Sustainable Blue Economy Professional (SBEP) designation community and raise professional standards in ocean industries.

 This role is based at ECO Canada’s Calgary head office. As a 3-month contract, the incumbent is expected to work on-site for the duration of the assignment.

If you feel you are the perfect fit for this position and are looking to join a company culture that is fun, flexible, and defined by our collective drive for success, please apply now through our website. Applicants are requested to submit both a resume and a cover letter.

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

No phone calls, please.

ECO Canada is committed to recruiting and retaining employees from diverse backgrounds. By recognizing and valuing diversity, we uphold hiring practices that are fair, transparent, and equitable. Our goal is to select the most qualified candidates based on character, competence, compatibility, and commitment.

In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), as well as the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations. We also recognize the Métis community, specifically Métis Nation Region Three. In the spirit of reconciliation, and as treaty people, we further acknowledge all Calgarians who make their homes in the traditional Treaty 7 territory of Southern Alberta.