Field Technician (4 Positions), Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery (OPRREC)
Position: Field Technician (Intern)
Project: Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery (OPRREC)
Location: Windsor, ON
Type of Position: Full-time (35 hr/wk), 8 weeks
Rate of Pay: $15/hr, plus 4% vacation pay
Anticipated Start: 11 July 2022
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 4 Field Technician Interns to assist with implementation of activities related to the OPRREC program (wildlifepreservation.ca/ojibway-prairie-reptile-recovery/), in partnership with the Georgian Bay Turtle Hospital (www.gbth.ca) and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Canada (www.arcc-carc.ca). The positions will be based out of downtown Windsor, with field work occurring at the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem (OPCGPE) in Windsor and LaSalle, and elsewhere in the Windsor-Essex region. 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), with a particular focus on the Butler’s Gartersnake.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Working under the direction of the Lead Biologist and Project Biologist, each Field Technician Intern will conduct field work related primarily to SAR reptile habitat management. Supervision will be provided on-site by the Project Biologist, with support from Lead Biologist, based on an initial orientation and training session, and weekly meetings to discuss progress and problem-solve. Responsibilities fall within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field of conservation biology. This position offers a unique opportunity to work first-hand with endangered snakes and the chance to gain experience in animal care and population recovery techniques in a field setting.
Specific duties may include:
1. Conducting standardized visual encounter, artificial cover object, road mortality, and/or barrier fence surveys targeting SAR snakes to monitor distribution, abundance, and/or effectiveness of threat mitigations and habitat enhancements (“population monitoring” focus).
2. Conducting habitat management activities to enhance SAR snake habitat and mitigate threats, including invasive species removal, installation and maintenance of barrier fencing, installation of woody debris features or nesting cribs, creating artificial hibernacula, and removing litter and illegal dumping (“habitat management” focus).
3. Assisting with other activities as required (e.g., data entry, outreach with park users, posting to WPC’s social media accounts, writing field blogs, etc.).
4. Using some or all of the following equipment:
a) Snake handling and marking tools (PIT tags and readers, snake hooks, tubes, and tongs)
b) Artificial snake hibernation features
c) Hand-held GPS units, two-way radios, digital cameras, borescope, and/or trail cameras
a) Hand tools (e.g., loppers, pruning saw, rake, shovel, auger, hammer, etc.)
d) Laptop computer
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- A college diploma in a related field (e.g., fish and wildlife management). Exceptional undergraduate students pursuing a university degree of college diploma in related field will also be considered.
- Strong interest in conservation biology, herpetology, and biology-based field work.
- Proven ability to adhere to data collection protocols, and record detailed & legible field notes.
- Ability and willingness to capture, handle and identify Ontario herpetofauna, especially snakes.
- Strong verbal communication skills and work ethic (focus, professionalism, punctuality, honesty, and attention to detail).
- Experience using relevant equipment (see ‘Duties and Responsibilities’).
- Physically fit and able to: a) Lift heavy objects (e.g., woody debris and small logs), b) 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).
ASSET SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- An undergraduate university degree in Biology or related field.
- Minimum of 1 field season conducting snake surveys/inventories, and skilled at safely identifying, capturing, handling, and processing Ontario snakes.
- Experience installing threat mitigation or habitat enhancement structures (e.g., snake barrier fencing, nesting cages, woody debris features, etc.).
- Experience safely using hand tools (e.g., loppers, pruning saw, rake, shovel, auger, hatchet, etc.).
- Completion of Ontario chainsaw safety training course.
- Completion of Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Survey Course (or equivalent).
- Experience conducting public outreach and education.
- Experience identifying Ontario plants (Species at Risk and invasive species).
- Standard or wilderness first aid certification.
- Familiarity with the natural and cultural histories of the Windsor-Essex region.
- G-class driver’s licence and access to a vehicle (or other reliable source of transportation).
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and safety training to be provided by the Lead Biologist or Project Biologist and will include identification of safe practices while working in the field, during a pandemic, and while driving to field sites. The location of first aid supplies will be identified. The Field Technician Interns will be covered by Ontario Workers’ Compensation and will travel in vehicles with adequate insurance during employment. The Interns must agree to adhere to all health and safety protocols and regulations (e.g., Government of Ontario Occupational Health and Safety regulations).
TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter and resume to: Cory Trowbridge, OPRREC Project Biologist, ojibwayreptiles[at]wildlifepreservation.ca. Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file and include the email subject heading “OPRREC – Field Technician (Intern)”. Include contact information (phone and email) for 3 references in your application. Applications will be assessed as they are submitted, and the positions will be filled as soon as suitable candidates are found. Applications will not be considered after midnight (EST) 12 June, 2022.
These positions are funded through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, thus the Field Technician Interns must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this position:
- Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of employment.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
Saving endangered species is strengthened by and requires contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, heritage, knowledge, experiences, and identities. WPC values the diversity of the people we employ and that we work with. We strive to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We are committed to selecting and developing employees to create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization and therefore encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
We thank all who apply, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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