Field and Outreach Technician – Ontario Piping Plover Program and Urban Programs
The Ontario Piping Plover Program and Urban Program teams at Birds Canada are seeking an experienced, highly-motivated, multi-talented and personable field staff to assist with a number of activities related to bird conservation and education through Birds Canada’s Ontario Piping Plover Program and Urban Programs. This is a unique position that offers an interesting mix of avian field work and public education/events experience. The position is a 3-month contract, with activities centralized around the Greater Toronto Area and/or Toronto Island.
Contract start and end dates: May 1 – July 28, 2023
Job Location: Beach surveys will be in the Greater Toronto Area including but not limited to Toronto Island. Other tasks may be in the Greater Toronto Area, and/or remote.
Position Concept
The Field and Outreach Technician is a joint role spanning two programs and will report to the Urban Engagement and Events Coordinator and the Ontario Piping Plover Field Coordinator, task dependent. Urban Outreach responsibilities will include but are not limited to; assisting with the Toronto Bird Celebration, public outreach, corporate and partner engagement, and event data collection. Piping Plover responsibilities will include but are not limited to; beach surveys, nest monitoring, data collection and entry, implementing recovery strategies and public outreach, and education. Technician must be comfortable carrying equipment on sand, and walking long distances on sand beaches, and spending long days outdoors in hot conditions.
Education/Training
Although not required, some candidates may be in the process of, or have already completed, a B.Sc. in biology or ecology or an equivalent wildlife-related program. Relevant experience or other informal and formal education/training are equally considered.
Qualifications and Skills:
- Experience conducting bird or wildlife surveys
- Strong presentation skills, comfortable speaking to the public, including large groups
- Experience collaborating with and coordinating volunteers and partners
- Ability to collect, manage and analyze scientific data
- Stewardship and/or outreach experience
- Able to work in a team environment as well as independently with little supervision
- Strong communication skills
- Experience planning and executing events
- Ability to travel around the GTA to attend events or conduct surveys (core project-specific mileage or public transportation costs between sites within the GTA will be covered)
- Valid First Aid Certification (obtained before contract start date)
- Legally entitled to work in Canada (if applicable, successful applicants must provide a copy of their work visa and temporary SIN prior to commencing work)
Assets:
- Experience working with species at risk or shorebirds – Piping Plovers specifically a bonus
- Experience networking and building relationships with corporate and community sponsors
- Social media management
- Ability to speak French or other languages
- Meet Canada Summer Jobs requirements
Duties will include:
- Survey for Piping Plovers, nest monitoring and implement recovery activities at beaches throughout the Greater Toronto Area (anticipated site, Toronto Island).
- Conduct stewardship and outreach with beach goers and participate in the planning and implementation of additional outreach efforts; special events, presentations, visual content, @ontarioplovers social media content, etc.
- Assist in the planning and execution of the Toronto Bird Celebration including creating marketing and social media content to promote and encourage participation.
- Work with corporate sponsors and partners to secure their support for the Toronto Bird Celebration and other events
- Collect data on virtual and in-person events to inform future planning and decision making related to outreach and education for bird conservation in Canada.
- Coordinate with supervisors to plan day-to-day activities
Salary: $18-20 per hour, depending on project-relevant experience and expertise, for 40h work week, plus statutory benefits, annual $150 allowance for sun safety clothing/items and some project-related travel costs, when approved. We encourage all candidates with the required qualifications and skills to apply to the position(s). However, note that some preference may be given to those who meet Canada Summer Jobs’ eligibility criteria.
Application Deadline: 11:59 pm EST, February 12, 2023
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and two reference contacts in a single document to Sydney Shepherd (sshepherd@birdscanada.org). In your cover letter, please explicitly highlight relevant qualifications and skills, and indicate if you meet the Canada Summer Jobs’ eligibility criteria. While Birds Canada welcomes all applications, only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted. Birds Canada will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.
Please note: applications will be reviewed as they are received, and some positions may be filled prior to the deadline. Early applications encouraged.
Birds Canada is committed to improving levels of diversity among its volunteers, membership, staff, and board that reflects the diversity of communities across the country. In an effort to do so, we are actively tracking and seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, or who have differing abilities are therefore welcome to self-identify in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.
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