Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for an Assistant Conservation Biologist to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.
NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.
Position Summary
The Assistant Conservation Biologist will play an integral role in delivering stewardship in the Manitoulin Island Archipelago Natural Area to focus our conservation work. The position is based on Manitoulin Island year round.
The Assistant Conservation Biologist will contribute to NCC’s work on the Manitoulin Island Archipelago Natural Area by assisting stewardship staff with several activities, including preparing baseline reports and Property Management Plans (PMPs), implementing priority PMP and Natural Area Conservation Plan (NACP) actions, development of grant proposals, managing hunting on NCC properties, entering data in the Land Information System (LIS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) and conducting science projects.
Extensive travel and independent fieldwork requires liaising with landowners, staff, volunteers and partner organizations.
Position Requirements
Key Responsibilities:
- Biological inventory, field data collection and annual monitoring (i.e., invasive species, rare plant and wildlife documentation, ecological community classification and condition assessments), data entry – LIS and GIS, photograph documentation, analysis and reporting required to implement Property Management Plans for NCC owned properties;
- Assist in the planning and delivery of a landscape scale restoration program focused on controlling invasive Phragmites across Manitoulin Island;
- Assist in the implementation and reporting of Effectiveness Monitoring Programs to track the viability of Biodiversity Targets and the effectiveness of conservation actions to abate threats at the property and Natural Area scale to guide property management;
- Conduct field work, data entry and analysis to develop Baseline Reports for NCC properties using LIS, GIS and NCC’s standardized reporting format in all Natural Areas;
- Assist in the development of conservation planning documents (e.g., Property Management Plans) following NCC’s standardized report format;
- Assist in the development and management of leases, contracts, and research permits pertaining to NCC properties;
- Assist with the maintenance and repair of infrastructure, monitor and maintain trails, fences, gates, and signage, and address liability issues on NCC properties such as unwanted motorized vehicle access and trespassing;
- Maintain positive, productive and open relationships with landowners, lessees, project volunteers, local planning authorities and conservation partners within Manitoulin Island Archipelago;
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- LIS and GIS data entry for previously surveyed NCC owned lands and Conservation Agreements in all Natural Areas;
- Assist in the development and coordination of grant proposals and reporting to funders;
- Assist with land management activities and ecological restoration activities as needed;
- Assist with Conservation Volunteer Events in all Natural Areas; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Aptitudes:
- University graduate from a Natural Sciences Program with a focus on biology, ecology, environmental studies or closely related field. College Diploma and Certificate combined with experience post graduation will be considered.
- Knowledge of vegetation community types; alvar, forest and wetland ecology and ability to monitor ecological health;
- Experience in designing, implementing, analyzing and reporting on the effectiveness of land management/stewardship activities;
- Experience in collecting, organizing and analyzing natural resource data;
- Experience in developing technical reports, grant proposals, monitoring protocols and presentations;
- Proficient in computer usage, including data entry, statistical analysis, Internet and MS Office applications;
- Experience supporting active land management and ecological restoration (e.g.,livestock grazing, prescribed fire, haying, invasive species control) through monitoring;
- Analytical and detailed oriented, creative, proactive thinker;
- Ability to work independently (with attention to detail), seek assistance and input as required, and to work on interdisciplinary teams;
- Experience managing, prioritizing and completing tasks independently and on schedule;
- Experience with project planning and management;
- Ability to take a project from background research to action in a short period of time;
- Self-motivated, superior time management skills, ability to meet deadlines;
- Strong communication, interpersonal and writing skills;
- Strong interest in the environmental field and the vision and mission of NCC;
- Experience with hand tools and power tools, including chainsaw operation an asset.
- Prepared to travel throughout the program area, and work flexible hours, including multi-day trips away from home and occasional weekend work.
- Pesticide license(s) an asset. Willing to work with herbicides required.
- Valid “G” Class Driver’s License
- Ability to carry out physical labour and work outdoor under adverse climatic conditions.
How to Apply
NCC is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations through our Career Centre.
Application Deadline
October 7, 2024 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST
NCC hires based on merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca
