At-Risk Pollinator Surveys
Organization: Wildlife Preservation Canada
Website: http://www.wildlifepreservation.ca
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) is a charitable organization whose
mission is to save animal species at risk from extinction in Canada.
We are currently hiring for the position of Po
llinator Field
Assistant. This person will be responsible for field work and data
collection, as well as assisting with literature reviews and other
tasks. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with at-risk
and declining pollinator species and directly contribute to recovery
efforts. The successful candidate would join WPC’s Pollinators at Risk
Program Team, and work under the direction of the Pollinators at Risk
Program Biologist.
Major Tasks:
• Road-side and on-site bumblebee surveys across southern Ontario and
extreme southwestern Quebec to locate populations of the Endangered
(provincially and federally-listed) Rusty-patched Bumblebee and the
declining Yellow-banded Bumblebee.
• Wild bumblebee population surveys and collections (i.e. nest
searching, collection of queens and workers, recording of ecological
requirement data).
• Accurate record-keeping of field data and entry of field data into
Excel spreadsheet
• Science communication and outreach (e.g. in-person, print materials, blogs).
• Assistance with literature reviews and report writing.
• Additional tasks as required.
Qualifications:
• Completion of an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, or
equivalent experience
• Prior experience with field monitoring/surveying.
• Valid Class “G” Ontario driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Ability to navigate in the field using a map and GPS.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a small team.
• Physically fit and able to endure working in rough terrains,
variable weather conditions, and with exposure to biting and stinging
insects.
• Willing to work long hours and be away for multiple days at a time,
including weekends and holidays.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain positive
relationships with private landowners and park officials.
• Valid first aid certification is an asset.
• Ability to identify common flora in the field is an asset.
• Experience with insect identification is an asset.
• Camping experience is an asset.
• Experience working with Species-At-Risk is an asset.
• Experience conducting literature reviews and writing reports is an asset.
• Experience communicating science information to a general audience
is an asset.
The position runs from mid-February (preferred) through October 2015.
This is a full-time-equivalent* contract requiring long hours, travel,
and overnight stays (campsites and other accommodations), and is based
in Guelph, Ontario. The salary rate for this position will range from
$1,950/month to $2,300/month (depending on experience), plus 4%
vacation pay*. Some opportunities for contract extension and/or
positions the following field season may be available.
To apply please send a cover letter and resume to:
Victoria MacPhail
Pollinators at Risk Program Biologist
Wildlife Preservation Canada
RR #5, 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph, ON N1H 6J2
vmacphail@gmail.com
Please submit your application electronically as a single PDF or MS
word file and include the email subject heading “Pollinator Field
Assistant Application”. Please apply ASAP as the position will be
filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those
selected for an interview will be contacted.
To learn more about Wildlife Preservation Canada, please visit our
website at http://www.wildlifepreservation.ca.
*A flexible schedule is required in order to cover project needs:
there will be some periods of intense work and periods of limited
work. Field work is very weather dependant and may require last minute
decisions. However, salary will be paid out over the course of the
contract based on a 37.5hr work week.
