Reptile Recovery Field Technician (2)
Position: Reptile Recovery Field Technician (2)
Project & Location: Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery (OPRREC); Windsor, ON
Type of Position: Full-time (37.5 hr. /wk.), 5 – 12 months (depending on experience)
Anticipated Start: 6 April 2020
Rate of Pay: $16.00 – $18.00/hr (depending on experience)
Hours of Work: Flexible daily and weekly schedule to suit project needs and weather conditions.
Working weekends will be required.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) is seeking two Reptile Recovery Field Technicians to assist with implementation of 2020 activities related to the OPRREC program (wildlifepreservation.ca/ojibway- prairie-reptile-recovery/). The positions will be based out of downtown Windsor, with field work occurring at the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem (OPCGPE) in west Windsor and LaSalle. The ultimate goal of this program is to recover the Ojibway population of Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, while providing recovery benefits to a suite of other species at risk (SAR) reptiles, plants, and insects. Working under the direction of the Lead Biologist, the Field Technicians will conduct field work related to the following component(s) of OPPREC: 1) Massasauga population monitoring, 2) threat monitoring and mitigation (e.g., road mortality, intentional killing, illegal collection, and habitat loss), 3) habitat assessment/inventory and enhancement, and 4) public outreach and education. Supervision will be provided on-site by the Lead Biologist based on an initial orientation and training session, followed by regular updates over the course of the field season to discuss progress and problem-solve.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct standardized visual encounter, artificial cover object, and/or barrier fence surveys targeting Eastern Massasaugas, Eastern Foxsnakes and Butler’s Gartersnakes in order to monitor distribution, abundance, threats, and/or effectiveness of threat mitigations and habitat enhancements (35%).
- Collect data on groundwater, frost, and humidity levels to monitor overwintering conditions at hibernation sites, and monitor condition of live snakes in artificial hibernacula (35%).
- One technician will act as team lead by scheduling surveys/tasks around weekly targets and variable weather conditions, and help to manage a small team of technicians, interns and volunteers (10%).
- Participate in other projects and duties as required (e.g., install and maintain snake barrier fencing, care for captive snakes, enhance snake habitat, conduct road mortality surveys, etc.) (10%).
- Conduct outreach with local residents and park users, and contribute regularly to WPC’s social media accounts and field blogs (5%).
- Assist with data management and report preparation (e.g., data entry, summary and analysis) (5%).
- The Field Technicians will use the following equipment:
- Snake handling tools (snake hooks, tubes, and tongs)
- Hand-held GPS units, two-way radios, digital cameras, borescope, and/or trail camera
- Laptop computer
REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- An undergraduate university degree in Biology (or equivalent). Exceptional candidates with a college diploma in a related field (e.g., ecosystem management technology) will also be
- Minimum of 1 field season conducting snake surveys/inventories, and skilled at safely identifying, capturing, handling, and processing Ontario snakes. Priority will be given to candidates with prior experience surveying for and working with Massasauga rattlesnakes (or other venomous snakes).
- Strong interest in conservation biology, herpetology, and biology-based field
- Proven ability to adhere to data collection protocols and record detailed & legible field
- Strong communication skills (written and oral) and work ethic (focus, professionalism, punctuality, honesty, and attention to detail).
- Experience using relevant equipment (see ‘Duties and Responsibilities’).
- Standard or wilderness first aid
- Physically fit and able to: a) Lift heavy objects (e.g., woody debris and small logs), b) Ride a bicycle on city streets alongside busy traffic, and c) Work safely outdoors on your feet for extended periods of time, in poor weather (e.g., rain, extreme heat) and/or in challenging habitats (e.g., thorns, thickets, & biting insects).
ADVANTAGEOUS SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Experience conducting road mortality surveys and identifying a range of vertebrates found dead-on- road in Ontario (e.g., birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles).
- Experience installing and/or monitoring threat mitigation structures (e.g., snake barrier fencing).
- Experience PIT tagging vertebrates, and specifically
- Experience safely using hand tools (e.g., loppers, pruning saw, rake, shovel, auger, sledge hammer, axe, )
- Completion of Ontario chainsaw safety training
- Completion of Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Survey course (or equivalent).
- Experience using mapping software to display data and create maps (e.g., ArcGIS, Google Earth).
- Experience conducting public outreach and
- Experience identifying Ontario plants (Species at Risk and invasive species).
- Experience leading others in a professional, academic or volunteer
- G-class driver’s licence and access to a
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and safety training to be provided by the Lead Biologist and will include identification of safe practices while working with venomous snakes, in field conditions, on roads and in inclement weather. The location of first aid supplies will be identified. The Field Technician will be covered by Ontario Workers’ Compensation and will travel in vehicles with adequate insurance during employment.
TO APPLY:
Send cover letter and resume as a single attachment (e.g., .pdf or .doc) to Jonathan Choquette, OPRREC Lead Biologist, ojibwayreptiles[at]gmail.com, using subject heading “OPRREC – Field Technician”. Deadline is 11:59 pm, 8 March 2020, however, applications will be assessed as they are submitted. This position is only open to candidates legally eligible to work in Canada. Only individuals considered for an interview will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest!
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