Watershed Stewardship Assistant
Watershed Stewardship Assistant
June – December 2023 with potential for extension
Deadline to apply: June 9, 2023
The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) is a not-for-profit organization in southern Alberta, providing a collaborative forum for all voices, and working for watershed health through education, action, and stewardship.
Position Description:
OWC is seeking 1 dynamic and safety-minded individual to join our team and assist with restoration, education, and monitoring throughout the Oldman watershed. This exciting position requires exceptional communications skills and a willingness to engage in hands-on stewardship actions.
Reporting to the Education Program Manager, Watershed Stewardship Assistants work full-time five days/week, with two consecutive days off (e.g. Sunday-Monday). The positions are based in Lethbridge with extensive travel throughout the Oldman watershed. Duties include attending outreach events and assisting with restoration, stewardship, and aquatic monitoring activities, possibly without cell service. Occasionally, 1-2 nights/week of tenting at campgrounds may be required. Satellite communication devices, safety equipment, 4WD vehicles, and some camping gear will be provided. Training (including CABIN Field Technician certification) will be provided – a great addition to your résumé!
Wage: $20-22/hour, depending on qualifications and experience, at the discretion of the OWC.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with restoration and stewardship activities, including (but not limited to) bioengineering/willow staking, weed pulls, installing fences, garbage pickups, bridge & sign installation, and tree planting.
- Assist with delivery of OWC’s educational programs, including school programs, virtual reality, attending public events and engaging passersby in conversation and interactive educational activities.
- Data collection and record-keeping, including tracking metrics and keeping a log/journal.
- Write blogs, social media posts, articles, reports, journals, and other written materials. Photograph activities and add to digital archive.
- Videorecording. Some data entry/management as needed.
- Follow COVID pandemic policies and procedures.
- Additional related duties as needed.
Qualifications:
General Requirements:
- Must be minimum 21 years old and legally entitled to work in Canada.
- A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel throughout the watershed is required; experience with rural and backcountry driving is an asset.
- Standard First Aid & CPR/AED is required prior to commencing employment. Additional safety training and supplies will be provided.
- Must be willing to work most weekends and some evenings. Occasionally 1-2 nights of tenting at campgrounds may be an option. Some camping gear will be provided.
- Preference for degree or diploma in natural sciences, biology, environmental sciences, resource management, education, communications, or a related field.
- Must be hard-working, take direction, able to problem-solve, take initiative, and work with minimal supervision. A willingness to learn and try new things is a must!
Restoration & Stewardship Activities:
- Must be physically fit: able to spend long hours standing, walking, or in a vehicle; digging, pulling weeds, swinging a sledgehammer, lifting and carrying heavy loads.
- Comfort and experience with rural and remote conditions: driving a truck in 4WD, hiking, navigating, and camping in variable weather.
- Experience with tasks such as riparian restoration, fencing, weed control, using hand tools and power tools is an asset.
- Familiarity with the Oldman watershed, and experience working with landowners and Indigenous communities, are assets.
Education/Outreach:
- Strong verbal and writing skills required; experience communicating for a non-scientific audience is an asset.
- Proficient with social media (Instagram, TikTok), photography, videography, and/or graphic design are assets.
- Experience with environmental education/outreach and public engagement is an asset.
- Benthic macroinvertebrate identification skills an asset.
Additional Requirements for aquatic sampling:
- Able to follow detailed sampling and decontamination protocols.
- Organized, strong attention to detail.
- Experience using scientific equipment to collect data in the field and working in streams are assets.
How to apply:
Email your cover letter and resume to OWC’s Education Program Manager,
Sofie Forsstrom (sofie@oldmanwatershed.ca) as a single PDF file entitled YOUR NAME.pdf
Please specify your availability (start and end dates).
Thank you for your interest. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Bookmark Job
You must sign in to bookmark this listing.
Apply For job
To apply for this job please visit oldmanwatershed.ca.