Bluebird Technician
Organization: Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team Society
Website: http://www.goert.ca
Location: Cowichan Valley, BC, with occasional travel to Victoria
Application Deadline: February 17, 2015
Term: April 2*– August 14, 2015 (with the possibility of extension to
August 28, 2015)
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours / week
Salary: $15 / hour
*Note: start date is not flexible
The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT) is hiring a Western
Bluebird Technician to provide technical support for the ‘Bring Back
the Bluebirds’ project, launched in 2012 to reintroduce the extirpated
Western Bluebird to its historic habitat on Vancouver Island. GOERT is
a charitable, non-profit organization based in Victoria, BC, working
to protect and restore Garry Oak and associated ecosystems and the
species at risk that inhabit them (see http://www.goert.ca for more
information).
Job Description:
The Western Bluebird Technician will work with GOERT staff,
volunteers, and project partners to implement the Bring Back the
Bluebirds Project, a species recovery effort for the Western Bluebird
(http://www.goert.ca/bluebird). Western Bluebirds are
being released
in the Cowichan Valley and the work duties for this position will be
based out of Duncan, BC. Your primary roles will be daily care of
Western Bluebirds while they are in temporary aviaries, searching for
released and returning bluebirds, daily monitoring of nesting
bluebirds, and working with private landowners to mount and maintain
nestboxes throughout the project area. This work also includes
responding to public enquiries or reported bluebird sightings and
conducting presentations and other outreach. You will be set up with a
mobile phone and remote email access but can also expect to work
occasionally (approximately 2-3 times during the work term) in the
Victoria area.
The successful candidate must be a Cowichan Valley resident or willing
to relocate to Duncan for the duration of the contract.
This position requires you to be self-organizing, independent, and
completely reliable to accomplish tasks no matter the weather or the
early hour. Although you will be in regular contact with the GOERT
staff and technical experts, you will be working alone or supervising
volunteers and/or a summer student on critical species recovery tasks.
Please note that this position requires beginning work in the early
morning (before sunrise), completing tasks in all weather conditions,
working on weekends, and daily travel throughout the Cowichan Valley.
You will be required to work variable hours with irregular weekends.
Overtime can be expected.
Tasks may include:
• Assisting with logistical arrangements for the bluebird
reintroduction, including building and setting up aviaries and
nestboxes
• Daily feeding and monitoring of Western Bluebirds being held in
temporary aviaries
• Searching for released and returning birds and nesting activity,
locating nests and monitoring fate, providing supplemental food and
installing predator guards, as needed
• Investigating and compiling reported sightings
• Banding Western Bluebird nestlings
• Coordinating the nestbox stewardship program, including working with
landowners to mount, monitor, and maintain nestboxes in suitable
habitat; maintaining a list of nestbox sites, recruiting and training
volunteer monitors, compiling nestbox data, cleaning out and repairing
nestboxes
• Maintaining records of volunteer contributions
• Coordinating and sharing information with partners in Washington and
throughout the region
• Staffing information booths at events throughout the region,
planning and delivering presentations and other outreach events for
the public, including school and community groups, to promote the
‘Bring Back the Bluebirds’ initiative
• Assisting with writing project reports, articles and outreach
materials, updating the GOERT website, and managing social media
• Potentially assisting with the capture and translocation of Western
Bluebirds from Washington State
• Assisting with other GOERT projects as needed, including restoration
activities, drafting and editing of technical documents profiling
Garry Oak and associated ecosystems sites, data entry, project
reporting, and organizing public workshops
Required skills, experience and attributes:
• At least 2 years post-secondary education in natural resource
management, environmental science, biology, geography, or similar
field
• Intermediate or advanced bird banding skills
• Proven ability to work independently and reliably without supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Personable and energetic, with experience working with the public
• Self-directed, flexible, and reliable
• Demonstrated creativity and problem-solving ability
• Willing to meet with various stakeholders and people in the
community as well as to recruit and coordinate volunteers
• Demonstrated attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• An understanding of Garry Oak and associated ecosystems, plants, and wildlife
• Ability and willingness to work early mornings, weekends, and
evenings with irregular days off
• Desire to work long hours outdoors in all weather conditions
• Valid driver’s license (min. Class 5) and daily access to a vehicle
(reimbursed for mileage)
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or
otherwise legally able to work in Canada
Desirable skills, experience and attributes
• Academic training or experience in ornithology
• Experience preparing written reports
• Experience delivering or organizing outreach programs or public
events/presentations
• Marketing, promotions, or communications experience
• Experience working with or coordinating volunteers
• Supervisory experience
• Experience using GPS
• Photography skills
• Experience working in a non-profit environment, particularly on
multi-partner projects
• First Aid and CPR training
• Valid passport and ability to travel to the U.S.
• Current resident of Cowichan Valley
To apply:
Please send a cover letter and résumé, including 3 references, as a
single file to:
bluebird@goert.ca
no later than 5PM (PST) on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.
Please put ‘Western Bluebird Technician’ in the subject line.
We thank all those who apply, however only shortlisted applicants will
be contacted. Interviews are planned for the week of February 23,
2015, in Victoria.