Lead Biologist

Position: Lead Biologist
Project: Native Pollinator Initiative
Organization: Wildlife Preservation Canada
Location: Remote-work, but must be based in Southern Ontario as travel will be required around Guelph/Cambridge and the Greater Toronto Area.

• Type of position: Full-time (37.5 hours /week), permanent
• Anticipated start: June to early July 2025
• Compensation: Annual salary of $51,500, two weeks’ paid vacation, plus benefits including health and dental
• Hours of work: Flexible to suit project needs. Working occasional evening and weekends may be required.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) is seeking an experienced biologist to oversee all activities for our Native Pollinator Initiative, and in particular our Ontario-based Bumble Bee Recovery Program. This multifaceted program combines expert research, annual large-scale population monitoring, conservation breeding, community science, and outreach to conserve at-risk bumble bees in Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Conservation Programs Director, the Lead Biologist will provide overall coordination for WPC’s Native Pollinator Initiative (NPI). The position will oversee the implementation of core program activities, including conservation breeding, population monitoring, research, and community science for at-risk native bumble bee species in Ontario, as well as multi-partner collaborations such as BumbleBeeWatch.org. Additionally, the Lead Biologist will assist with development of new opportunities to expand recovery activities for other native pollinators across Canada. This position will require travel across Southern ON, including visiting the Bumble Bee Conservation Lab currently located at African Lion Safari in Cambridge, ON.

Specific duties will include:

• Coordinate surveys for bumble bees in Ontario with multiple field crews in different regions, including hiring and training seasonal staff, securing permits and permissions for field site access, managing queen collection and transfer, and assisting with the transfer of bees from different field locations to the Bumble Bee Conservation Lab
• Work closely with the Bumble Bee Lab Biologist, oversee the implementation and continued development of the bumble bee conservation breeding program, including hiring and training of lab staff, maintaining and updating program protocols in collaboration with facility partners and outside experts, and coordinating care of captive colonies.
• Oversee data management and reporting for both field and lab components of the program, including maintaining accurate records, updating protocols, and preparing internal and external reports that summarize field activities, lab progress, and key findings
• Collaborate with new and existing partners to develop and implement applied research on at-risk pollinators
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with partners and stakeholders that have complementary pollinator conservation visions to WPC, including other NGOs and/or community groups and provincial and federal government partners.
• Guide the science-based communication and outreach components of the program, including creating materials for peer-reviewed publications, presentations, online education materials, and traditional and social media
• Lead community science and bumble bee survey training and identification workshops for various organizations
• Actively identify and pursue new outreach initiatives and partnerships to expand the program’s reach and impact
• Provide support for BumbleBeeWatch.org, including review and identification of photo submissions in Canada, evaluation of smartphone apps and website updates, volunteer recognition, and other actions as required.
• Provide support to the Ontario Species at Risk Butterfly Recovery Team, including assisting with hiring and supervision of field staff, and providing administrative assistance as needed
• Write and/or assist with reports for funders, governments, landowners, WPC (for internal and external use), and other audiences as necessary.
• Develop and manage budgets, and keep project spending within forecasts
• Prepare proposals and budgets for grant applications and other fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping of all project data. Review and analyze field data and citizen science data when applicable.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in a relevant discipline, plus 3+ years of applied experience
• Prior experience supervising field staff and/or managing field projects
• Experienced in insect population monitoring, data management, analysis, and report writing.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including writing for various audiences (including scientific and public)
• Excellent organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented, and able to keep accurate records
• Excellent time-management skills, and an ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to maintain positive relationships with coworkers and project partners
• Experience with bumble bee identification.
• Experience writing successful grant proposals and managing budgets
• Willing and able to travel, mainly across Ontario but with potential for some trips out-of-province
• Ability to endure working in rough terrains, variable weather conditions, and with exposure to biting and stinging insects.
• A valid Ontario driver’s licence (G-class) and access to your own vehicle

ASSET SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Completion of a graduate degree in a biologically related field, or equivalent level of knowledge/experience
• Strong existing network and/or demonstrated networking ability relative to North American pollinator conservation
• Experience with and/or extensive knowledge of captive husbandry practices and breeding programs for insects
• Proven comfort handling bees within a field or lab setting
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in species at-risk issues
• Experience in volunteer coordination
• Demonstrated plant identification skills, with an emphasis on flowering plants visited by pollinators

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Saving endangered species requires contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, heritage, knowledge, experiences, and identities, though many of these voices have been excluded from conservation. WPC is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in our organization, and we welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We encourage those from historically marginalized groups—including racialized, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, those with differing abilities, and other equity-deserving groups—to self-identify in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, so we may consider their application accordingly.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 2-3 references to hazel@wildlifepreservation.ca . Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file and include the email subject heading “Lead Biologist – Native Pollinator Initiative Application”.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Applications will be assessed as they are submitted, and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found. Applications will not be considered if received after 11:59 pm on June 15, 2025.

We thank all those who apply, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.