Wildlife Preservation Canada Carden Field Assistant Job Vacancy in Orillia, Ontario

Wildlife Preservation Canada is seeking one Field Assistant to assist the Carden Shrike Biologist with survey efforts and monitoring of the wild population of Eastern Loggerhead Shrike in Carden, Ontario (east of Orillia). The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike is critically endangered with a total of only 21 known pairs breeding in Ontario in 2011. The Carden Alvar is one of the two core areas where ELOSH continue to breed and the Carden wild population has been monitored since the 1970s. This position also includes assisting with activities at the field breeding and release site (~2 days per week), offering a unique opportunity to work with an endangered species and directly contribute to recovery efforts through captive breeding.

Responsibilities:
• Road-side and on-site (with prior permission) surveys to locate breeding pairs of Eastern Loggerhead Shrike
• Wild population monitoring (nest searching, behavioural monitoring, collection of productivity data)
• Vegetation data collection at ELOSH nesting sites
• Landowner communication and outreach
• Data management and monthly reports
• Behavioural monitoring of captive birds at the field breeding site
• Daily diet preparation and provision (live food fed twice daily) to captive and released shrikes
• Care and maintenance of invertebrate food colonies (crickets and mealworms) and live mice
• Soft-release of young; post-release monitoring and supplemental feeding
• Breeding site and enclosure preparation and maintenance
• Additional tasks as required

The Field Assistant may also have the opportunity to assist with the banding of captive young to be released.

Qualifications:
Applicants should have prior experience with bird monitoring/surveying and have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (or possess equivalent knowledge/experience). Experience with nest searching and colour band identification preferred, as is familiarity with call play-back surveys. Previous bird handling and/or banding experience is an asset as is prior experience with animal care/captive breeding. Qualified candidates must also be able to navigate in the field using a map, compass, and GPS, work independently, be willing to work long hours and live in rustic field quarters. Applicants should be physically fit, able to endure working in variable weather conditions with exposure to biting insects and enjoy living and working as part of a small team. A valid driver’s license is required and access to a vehicle for the duration of the contract is preferred.

Most Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes breed on private lands, so considerable landowner contact is required. The successful candidate must have good interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain positive relationships with private landowners.

Position runs from early April through late August/early September, 2012. Some opportunities for contract extension and/or supervisory positions the following field season may be available. Housing plus Cdn$1100-1500/month is provided depending on experience.

To apply please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to: Tara Imlay, Species Recovery Biologist, tara@wildlifepreservation.ca or Wildlife Preservation Canada, RR#5 5420 Highway 6 North, Guelph, Ontario N1H 6J2. Email applications preferred. Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file and include the email subject heading “Carden Field Assistant Application”. Please apply ASAP as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found (applications will not be considered after March 1, 2012). All applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.