Arctic Wildlife Technician
Job Title: Arctic Wildlife Technician
Position Type: Full-Time, two years with possibility to extend
Level: SCI 4
Department and Program: WCS Canada
Office/Project: Whitehorse, Yukon
Position Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Date Written/Revised: 1 June 2022
Reports to: Dr. Stephen J. Insley, Arctic Program Lead, and Dr. William D. Halliday, Arctic Acoustics Program Lead
Supervises (Direct supervision only): n/a
Salary: $65,000
Application deadline: April 14th, 2022
Position Summary:
The WCS Canada Western Arctic Program aims to investigate the ecological consequences of climate change in the marine environment, particularly increased human activity and sea-ice loss in the eastern Beaufort Sea region. Our research team uses a variety of techniques, including passive acoustic monitoring, harvest-based studies with communities, and wildlife tagging projects to meet our conservation goals. The Arctic Wildlife Technician position will provide research support for ringed seal, thick-billed murre, and other marine projects as part of the Western Arctic Program. This position will directly support the conservation goals and objectives of the WCS Canada Western Arctic Program through participation and management of fieldwork, data collection management, analysis of data, and reporting writing.
Position Objectives:
· Assist with and help to manage the ringed seal tagging project
· Help to manage the seal diet project
· Assist with the thick-billed murre project
Principal Responsibilities:
· Conduct fieldwork tagging ringed seals in the western Canadian Arctic
· Participate in other fieldwork, such the thick-billed murre project, as required
· Arrange travel logistics for fieldwork, including coordinating with charter companies
· Maintain inventory of fieldwork gear, testing gear before all fieldwork
· Coordinating the purchase and repair of equipment
· Maintain current and complete records for seal diet study
· Coordinating with communities to obtain and receive seal diet samples
· Train community participants for seal diet study
· Assist with analysis of data for various Arctic projects
· Assist with report and manuscript writing for various Arctic projects
· Provide updates to northern Indigenous communities
Required Qualifications:
· MSc or equivalent with field and research experience
· Experience working with wildlife
· Experience conducting remote fieldwork
· Relevant work or project-based experience, particularly in field project management
· Experience using ArcGIS for mapping and spatial analysis
· Experience using R for statistical analyses
· Experience using Microsoft Excel for data management
· Good communication skills, including the ability to discuss projects with community partners and help write reports and publications
· Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work independently and work effectively in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary work environment.
· Self-motivated, but comfortable with team operations and capable of working with remote staff
· Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills (required).
· Independent with strong problem solving skills and attention to detail (required).
· Ability to communicate and work with project staff and personnel in person and remotely
· Contribute to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that promotes engagement and belonging.
· Support WCS Canada’s goal of transforming WCS Canada’s conservation practice through reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Experience handling live medium to large sized mammals – capturing and tagging seals would be an asset
· Fieldwork working in cold climates
· Experience working with Indigenous communities
· Experience working on marine mammal data and conservation projects
· Remote Wilderness first aid training
· A passion for the conservation of nature and wildlife.
How to apply:
Please submit your CV with cover letter explaining your qualifications related to the responsibilities listed above and your motivation to work on this project.
Apply Online: https://wcscanada.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=33&source=aWQ9MjQ%3D
For applicants without access to internet, applications can be mailed in or hand delivered by appointment to:
169 Titanium Way Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 0E9 (t): 867-393-2447
WCS Canada is committed to being an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practice. Applicants with a disability or any special needs may make a request for accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, and we will work with you to meet your needs. Such requests should be communicated to Gillian Woolmer (gwoolmer@wcs.org) or by phone 416-8892-9318
Questions: Contact Dr. William Halliday by email (whalliday@wcs.org).
This job posting is based on current COVID-19 conditions in Yukon and may be subject to change. Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they are eligible to work in Yukon based on current COVID-19 public health guidelines. All successful candidates must provide proof of full COVID vaccination plus available boosters within 2 weeks of start date.
About WCS Canada
WCS Canada (www.wcscanada.org) was established as a Canadian conservation organization in July 2004. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, and equal opportunity. Our mission is to save wildlife and wild places by improving our understanding of and seeking solutions to critical problems that threaten key species and large wild ecosystems throughout Canada. We implement and support comprehensive field studies that gather information on wildlife needs and then seek to resolve key conservation problems by working with a broad array of actors. WCS Canada has a track record of our science being recognized as relevant, credible and legitimate by researchers, NGOs and agencies. WCS Canada is independently registered and managed, while retaining a strong collaborative working relationship with sister Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) programs in more than 60 countries.
Diversity and inclusion are core WCS Canada values. We value the diversity of the people we employ and work with and we strive to provide an inclusive and equitable workplace in which we recognize the unique characteristics, skills and experiences of all employees. We are committed to engaging our employees in our diversity, equity and inclusion work and together we aim create a work place where all staff feel they belong and can grow.
WCS Canada’s programs occur on the homelands of Indigenous Peoples whose relationships various governments are described in historic (numbered) Treaties, modern land claim agreements, and negotiations around unceded lands. We recognize and support the international ecological and social commitments and responsibilities to Indigenous Peoples that Canada has signed, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Our commitment to engagement with Indigenous Peoples ranges from notification of research, to the provision of scientific advice, to co-creation of research. We respect Indigenous knowledge systems and include this knowledge in our research and conservation programs where possible. We engage in land use planning and impact assessment processes that affect Indigenous Peoples, seeking ways to advance conservation as well as opportunities to sustain the livelihoods and cultures of Indigenous communities. We seek to motivate positive conservation outcomes by supporting effective governance and decision-making processes by Indigenous communities, particularly by supporting Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas.
WCS Canada is committed to contributing to the field of conservation science and the professional development of its employees. Employees are encouraged to participate in professional societies and present their research at conference and meetings, as well as participate in relevant workshops and training opportunities. Employees are likewise encouraged to mentor graduate students, participate in relevant graduate student committees, and pursue adjunct status with Universities as appropriate.
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