Ecological Technician The Pender Islands Conservancy invites applications for a 6-month Ecological Technician position, beginning May 2, 2023.
Help us study, restore and monitor ecosystems from the sea to cedars! Contribute to our long-term ecological monitoring, restoration and research projects, work with citizen scientists, and enhance your field research skills all at the same time! Hours: 35 hours per week, typically Tuesday through Saturday. Some flexibility in work schedule will be necessary to accommodate field work requirements (e.g. some evening work will be required for bat surveys, and early morning work for bird point count surveys). Wage: $20/hour + 4% vacation pay Accommodation: The successful applicant will be responsible for finding their own accommodations on Pender Island, but the Pender Conservancy will assist in this process with communications to our contacts in the community. COVID-19: Activities are subject to change depending on provincial health orders, and work from home may be required. A workplace safety plan will be developed and implemented in collaboration with the successful applicant at the start of the work term, based on health orders or restrictions in place at that time. Apply: Email cover letter, resume and contacts for 3 references to Erin O’Brien at biologist@penderconservancy.org by Feb 20, 2023 at midnight. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted; interviews may be held by Zoom or in person. Position duties: The Ecological Technician will conduct ecological monitoring and restoration in terrestrial and marine environments across North and South Pender Islands. Responsibilities will include invasive plant species removal, planning and implementing native species restoration planting, songbird nest monitoring, wildlife inventories on protected lands (dawn chorus songbird surveys, acoustic bat surveys, amphibian egg mass surveys), kelp bed mapping, forage fish spawning beach sampling, salmon stream restoration, forest inventories (vegetation surveys and mapping) and data entry. As part of a conservation team, the candidate will work with other staff and volunteers to engage community citizen scientists in our ecological monitoring, research and restoration programs, and may assist with development of conservation- and ecology-focused education programs and interpretive materials as needed. The restoration and monitoring work the candidate will carry out will generate a positive environmental impact by restoring ecosystem diversity and resilience, enhancing coastal and shoreline protection, enhancing connectivity of fragmented forested landscapes, and establishing baseline data for long-term environmental assessment and mitigation planning. In addition, conservation education programs will affect even wider-reaching change by enhancing sustainability of human attitudes and behaviour. Required qualifications:
Completed undergraduate degree in ecology, conservation sciences or related field OR equivalent experience
Past employment experience in ecological restoration, monitoring or other ecology work an asset
Digital skills for data entry and mapping
Ability to work independently, as part of a team and in a leadership role
Ability to work with the public in a professional manner
Preference will be given to applicants with a Class 5 driver’s license and access to personal vehicle that can be used for work
Experience working outdoors under variable weather conditions
Excellent attention to detail and time management skills
Standard First Aid
Willing to reside on Pender Island during the work term
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and be legally entitled to work in Canada
Conservation Interpreter
The Pender Islands Conservancy invites applications for a 4-month Conservation Interpreter position, beginning May 9 and ending August 29, 2023.
At the Pender Islands Conservancy, science and education are key parts of who we are. Are you creative and energetic? Motivated? A strong communicator? Do you enjoy conservation science and nature? Do you not only want to be in the field but want to share that knowledge with the community and visitors?
In a typical week, as a member of the team, you may find yourself at the Nature Centre at Hope Bay engaging with visitors about conservation issues on Pender Island; you may find yourself delivering an educational interpretive program at the Saturday Farmer’s Market or at a pop-up event at some beautiful location on Pender; or you may be engaged in a monitoring or restoration project in the community.
Hours: 35 hours per week. Some flexibility in work schedule will be necessary to accommodate events and field work requirements.
Wage: $20/hour + 4% vacation pay
Accommodation: The successful applicant will be responsible for finding their own accommodations on Pender Island, but the Pender Conservancy will assist in this process with communications to our contacts in the community.
COVID-19: Activities are subject to change depending on provincial health orders, and work from home may be required. A workplace safety plan will be developed and implemented in collaboration with the successful applicant at the start of the work term, based on health orders or restrictions in place at that time.
Apply: Email cover letter, resume and contacts for 3 references to Sue Kronen at info@penderconservancy.org by February 20, 2023 at midnight. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted; interviews may be held by Zoom or in person.
Position duties:
Delivery of different styles of interpretation programming (e.g., pop ups, demonstrations, tabletop program at Saturday market, day camp or programs)
Organization of and/or assistance with special events, programs and products; • Responding to public questions, comments and concerns;
Working collaboratively as a team member in a number of different scenarios (e.g., with fellow staff, volunteers, partner organizations).
Promote, document and/or evaluate special events, programs and products;
Create engaging social media content (e.g., Facebook, Instagram).
Discuss Conservancy ecological monitoring, restoration and research activities in a knowledgeable manner
Assist our volunteers, biologist and technician with ongoing field research and monitoring activities occurring throughout the summer. These include kelp forest mapping (if the successful candidate is proficient with kayak use), community invasive plant removal events, avian ecology research (bird banding and monitoring, purple martin nest monitoring, barn swallow nest mapping), and bat monitoring and identification using acoustic equipment.
Work 1-2 days a week at our Nature Centre, greeting visitors, interpreting nature displays, informing the public about local conservation and ecological issues, discussing how individuals can reduce their ecological footprint and help with conservation initiatives in their community, assisting with basic retail sales, restocking of inventory and maintaining public education materials.
Required qualifications:
Undergraduate degree in ecology, conservation sciences, education OR related experience
Past employment experience in environmental and conservation education programming will be considered an asset
Ability to work independently, as part of a team and in a leadership role
Ability to interact with and present to a wide variety of audiences
Ability to adapt to a variety of situations and changing work locations
Knowledge of communication techniques used in interpretation
Knowledge of natural sciences, local flora and fauna, restoration and/or monitoring
Organizational skills
Digital skills will be required for display material development, data entry and social media communications.
Exercises sound judgment;
Dependable
Willing to work outdoors under variable weather conditions
Willing to undergo criminal record check for work with youth
Willing to reside on Pender Island during the work term
Standard First Aid
Preference will be given to applicants with a Class 5 driver’s license and access to personal vehicle that can be used for work
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Due to funding, applicants must be no more than 30 years of age
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