Positions: Bumble Bee Conservation Technician (2 positions)
Project: Native Pollinator Initiative
Organization: Wildlife Preservation Canada
Location: Two positions: 1) Sudbury region; 2) Thunder Bay region – both may require some overnight travel
Type of position: Full-time (40 hours /week) temporary position (6-8 weeks)
Anticipated start: April 26, 2019
Rate of pay: $14 /hour, plus Mandatory Employment Related Costs
Hours of work: Flexible to suit project needs and weather conditions. Working some evenings and weekends will be required
Position Summary:
Wildlife Preservation Canada’s (WPC) Native Pollinator Initiative is looking to hire two technicians to assist with the implementation of activities related to their Native Pollinator Initiative: one technician based in the Sudbury region, and one technician based in the Thunder Bay region. Each technician will, supervised by the region’s Project Field Biologist Crew Leader, conduct frequent road-side and on-site bumble bee surveys at multiple locations within public and private properties. Each technician will be offered a unique opportunity for hands-on work with at-risk and declining pollinator species, and will also directly contribute to recovery efforts by supporting logistics of a captive breeding program in the Greater Toronto Area. Conservation technicians will be primarily responsible for field work and data collection but may have the opportunity to assist with other tasks related to facilitating the recovery of declining bumble bees. These opportunities are separate, and candidates are reminded to specify which region they are applying for in order to meet eligibility requirements.
Major Responsibilities:
- The technician(s) will be undertaking tasks and responsibilities that fall within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field of conservation biology
- Assist with spring wild bee population surveys and/or collections at multiple sites in the Sudbury or Thunder Bay region.
- Participate in other Native Pollinator Initiative program activities as required, including record-keeping of field data and data entry and analysis, data compilation, science communication and outreach programs, and preliminary report preparation.
Skills and Experience Required:
- Possess a basic understanding of pollinator biology, conservation and ecology.
- Enrolled in, or possessing a background from, an applicable college or university program (e.g., biology, ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology, zoology, or other similar disciplines).
- Strong interest in ecological field research, including species at risk issues.
- Plant and insect identification skills an asset, with an emphasis on pollinators and pollinator-friendly plants.
- Experience conducting biological surveys and working with species at risk an asset.
- Ability to work both in a team and independently. Recognizes when clarification of correct procedures is necessary.
- Personable, with good communication skills, a positive attitude, and highly self-motivated. Detail-oriented.
- Willing and able to travel long distances across Ontario by car.
- A valid Ontario driver’s licence (G-class) an asset. Priority will be given to applicants over 25 (given rental vehicle requirements in Ontario).
- Valid First Aid and CPR certification is an asset.
- Physically fit and able to endure working in rough terrains, variable weather conditions, and with exposure to biting and stinging insects.
- Able and willing to work long hours (up to 12 hours/day) and be away for multiple days at a time, including evenings and weekends.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
Eligibility: These positions will be funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program. To be considered for these positions, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
- be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and,
- have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant Ontario legislation and regulations.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Genevieve Rowe, Lead Biologist, pollinators@wildlifepreservation.ca . Applications must be received by 11:59 pm EST, April 12, 2019. Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file attachment and include in the email subject heading “WPC Bumble Bee Conservation Technician—Sudbury Region” OR“WPC Bumble Bee Conservation Technician—Thunder Bay Region”. Applications must be specific to only one region (i.e., one position), and must clearly specify which region you are applying for. We thank you for your interest, however only individuals considered for an interview will be contacted.