Lead Bumble Bee Breeding Techician
Project: Native Pollinator Initiative
Location: Based in Southern Ontario; position will require regular commuting to African Lion Safari, Cambridge, ON
Type of position: Full-time (37.5 hours /week)
Duration: March 1 – October 28, 2022, with possibility of extension.
Rate of pay: $16-18 /hour depending on experience, plus Mandatory Employment Related Costs
Hours of work: Exact schedule is flexible to meet the needs of the project. Some evening and weekend work will be required, particularly in the spring and summer.
Position Summary:
Wildlife Preservation Canada’s (WPC) Native Pollinator Initiative is seeking a technician to assist with activities related to their Native Pollinator Initiative in Southern Ontario. The Technician’s primary role will be to lead husbandry and research activities at WPC’s Bumble Bee Conservation Lab at African Lion Safari, including related data collection and management. The goal of this program is to develop effective conservation rearing techniques for at-risk bumble bee species. The technician will also be involved in other program activities as required, including assisting with bumble bee surveys in Southern ON, outreach and training, data entry, management, and analysis, and report and manuscript writing. This position offers a unique opportunity for hands-on work with at-risk and declining pollinator species, as part of a holistic and multi-faceted recovery program.
Major Responsibilities:
- Lead WPC’s bumble bee conservation rearing, which includes detailed colony observations, food preparation and feeding, data collection and entry, and protocol development.
- Participate in other Native Pollinator Initiative program activities as required, including bumble bee surveys, data compilation and analysis, science communication and outreach programs, and report preparation.
- Contribute to WPC’s communication efforts, including social media, blogs, newsletter articles, etc., as directed.
Required Skills:
- Possess a basic understanding of pollinator biology, conservation, and ecology.
- Completed a relevant college or university program (e.g., biology, ecology, environmental science, wildlife biology, zoology, or other similar disciplines)
- Strong interest in ecological field research, including species at risk issues.
- Ability to work both in a team and independently. Recognizes when clarification of correct procedures is necessary.
- Detail-oriented and able to accurately enter, manage, and analyze data.
- Willing and able to travel long distances across Southern Ontario by car.
- A valid Ontario driver’s licence (G-class) and access to a vehicle is required. Mileage will be compensated for any field work at $0.41/km.
- Physically fit and able to endure working in rough terrains, variable weather conditions, and with exposure to biting and stinging insects.
- Able and willing to work long hours (up to 12 hours/day), including evenings and weekends
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
Highly Preferred Skills:
- Science communication skills, including virtual and in-person presentation
- Proven comfort handling bumble bees in a field and lab setting
- Plant and insect identification skills, with an emphasis on pollinators (especially bumble bees) and pollinator-friendly plants.
- Experience conducting biological surveys and working with species at risk.
- Familiarity and experience with animal husbandry principles
- Personable, with good communication skills, a positive attitude, and highly self-motivated.
- Valid First Aid and CPR certification is an asset.
Skills and Knowledge Gained From this Position:
- Insect husbandry
- Science communication
- Lab management
- Understanding species at risk recovery processes
- Problem solving
- Data management
- Experimental design
- Bumble bee and wildflower identification
- Population surveying
- Blog writing
- Social media post making
Eligibility:
This position will be partially funded through EcoCanada’s Science Horizons Youth Internship (https://eco.ca/environmental-professionals/employment-funding-and-job-board/apply-for-job-funding/). To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Participants must be age 30 and under and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or hold refugee status in Canada
- Must have a post-secondary accomplishment (some exceptions apply) and is not an existing fulltime permanent employee
Health and safety:
Health and safety training to be provided by the Lead Biologist and Conservation Outreach and Field Biologist and will include identification of safe practices while working with stinging insects, in the field, and during a pandemic. The location of first aid supplies will be identified. The Technician will be covered by Ontario Workers’ Compensation and will travel in vehicles with adequate insurance during employment. The Technician must agree to adhere to all health and safety protocols and regulations (e.g., internal WPC, Government of Ontario Occupational Health and Safety regulations).
Diversity Statement:
The work of saving animal species requires the contributions and leadership of people of widely diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We are committed to selecting and developing employees to create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Sarah MacKell, Lead Biologist, sarah.mackell@wildlifepreservation.ca. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm EST, January 28th, 2021. Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file attachment and include in the email subject heading “WPC Lead Bumble Bee Breeding Technician”.
We thank you for your interest, however only individuals considered for an interview will be contacted.
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