Aerial Insectivore Field Technician

The Aerial Insectivore Program team at Birds Canada is currently seeking two highly motivated field technicians located in the City of Toronto, to help with the delivery of stewardship, research, and monitoring activities in Ontario for the Threatened aerial insectivore species, the Chimney Swift. Anticipated start date 23 May 2023, with a contract duration of ~3 months.

Location

All surveys will be conducted in the City of Toronto – West End (between Spadina Ave and Royal York Rd, from Eglinton Ave W to Lake Shore Blvd W). Accommodation will not be provided and there are limited resources to cover local travel, therefore we are recruiting applicants who would be residing in the City of Toronto for the contract duration, preferably in or close to the West End, and willing to travel primarily by public transit to survey sites during the evening hours (~7:00pm – 10:00pm).

Position Concept

The Aerial Insectivore Field Technicians will report to the Ontario Projects Biologist, and will assist with all aspects of the program. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: surveying priority sites for Chimney Swift occupancy around the hours preceding and following sunset, collecting habitat data at traditional and/or artificial roost/nest structures, data collection and entry, implementing recovery activities, public outreach, and landowner liaison. The technicians must be comfortable engaging the public and working to advance stewardship with landowners. The technicians must be comfortable with surveying sites in urban locations near dusk alone, speaking with the public, and working in hot outdoor summer conditions. This position will primarily involve evening field work, but also some flexible daytime hours for desk-based tasks or other duties related to the role (see detailed list of duties below), schedule to be coordinated with supervisor.

Education

Although not required, most candidates will 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

• Ability to identify Chimney Swifts by sight and sound
• Comfortable working at night in a team or individually in urban environments
• Desire to work with private landowners, the public, and target stakeholders to promote stewardship activities
• Comfortable traveling by public transit or in personal vehicle around the City of Toronto
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High level of organization, initiative, and record keeping
• Valid driver’s license (G preferred, G2 accepted), if using personal vehicle
• Valid First Aid Certification or able to obtain certification prior to 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

• Stewardship or outreach experience, particularly related to species at risk
• Data management
• Meet Canada Summer Jobs requirements

Duties will include:

Field Work:

• Survey priority sites at dusk in the City of Toronto – West End (primarily between Spadina Ave and Royal York Rd, and Eglinton Ave W to Lake Shore Blvd W) throughout the breeding season to determine critical habitat site locations
• Collect habitat data at traditional and/or artificial structures

Other Duties:

• Targeted outreach (including meetings) and engagement tailored to relevant landowners to improve stewardship of and reduce loss of Chimney Swift critical habitat
• Supporting public outreach initiatives or speaking with the public ad hoc about the program
• Help support and facilitate aspects of the Ontario SwiftWatch Citizen Science Program
• Entering and organizing data, and maintaining databases
• Assisting with the development of technical reports and publications, where needed
• Other tasks, as required

Salary

$18 per hour, for approximately 40h work week, plus statutory benefits, annual $150 allowance for sun safety clothing/items, public transit pass, and other project-related travel costs, when pre-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, March 31, 2023

To Apply: Send a one-page cover letter, resume, and two reference contacts in a single document to Natasha Barlow (nbarlow@birdscanada.org; Ontario Projects Biologist). 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.