JOBS & SUMMER JOBS

Position: Coastal Stewardship Biologist (Undergraduate Student Opportunity)
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Organization: Birds Canada
Location: Bouctouche, near Moncton, New Brunswick. This role is primarily based in the field on beaches in South East New Brunswick.  Candidates are responsible for their own housing in the area, so local applicants are encouraged to apply.

Are you looking to channel your skills into meaningful, energizing work that will directly contribute to protecting our natural world? Do you want to work with an exceptional group of passionate and caring colleagues, while gaining valuable hands-on work experience? If so, this position may be for you!

Birds Canada is the country’s premier national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Every day, our thousands of caring donors, 80+ dedicated staff, and 70,000+ outstanding volunteers are taking action to help us better understand, appreciate, and conserve birds and their habitats. Together, we are Canada’s Voice for Birds – will you join us?

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Birds Canada South East New Brunswick Piping Plover program is seeking the support of an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and personable candidate for the role of Coastal Stewardship Biologist. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to connect with local partners and will also work with local volunteers to support Birds Canada’s monitoring and conservation activities. Working closely with an interdisciplinary team of experienced biologists, the candidate will help advance national and regional conservation objectives for these species.

The Stewardship Biologist will be responsible for their own housing in southeast New Brunswick (“SENB”) and must have access to their own vehicle. Field work will involve long days of hiking on many beaches in SENB. The successful candidate should be comfortable talking to members of the public in both French and English.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

This full-time, fixed term 8-week Bouctouche NB based position will start on 27 May and end on 20 July, 2024. Depending on funding, the position may be extended by 1-4 weeks. Early applications are encouraged and applications will be considered until the position is filled.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include conducting field surveys for two at risk species (Piping Plover and Bank Swallow) and migrating shorebirds, and educating the public on these species and their stewardship. This position will provide excellent career-building experience for candidates interested in wildlife conservation, species at risk recovery, habitat/ ecosystem management, and/or environmental education and stewardship.

Under supervision of BSC’s SE NB Project Coordinator, the Coastal Stewardship Biologist will:

• Conduct beach surveys to identify threats to breeding Piping Plover and beach habitat.
• Monitor and conduct surveys on Bank Swallow colonies and their habitats.
• Assist in the re-sighting of banded Piping Plovers.
• Monitor Piping Plovers, nests and chicks to determine breeding success.
• Protect beach breeding habitat from disturbance.
• Assist with outreach & educational events: conducting educational outreach activities in French and English that improve awareness about endangered Piping Plovers, coastal ecosystems and stewardship practices and build community support for healthy coastal wildlife.
• Collect data on other beach wildlife and on human-use of beaches.
• Assist with data entry and proofing using an online database and MS Excel.
• Assist in the coordination and training of volunteers.
• Foster stewardship with landowners.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER ESSENTIALS:

• You must be enrolled as an undergraduate student in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Biology, Community Development or a related field in the previous year and returning to full-time studies in Fall of 2024.
• Access to a personal vehicle is essential for consideration for this position, as field work will be conducted at sites throughout south east New Brunswick including the counties of Kent, Westmorland and Northumberland.
• For home-based office portions of the role, you must have access to a personal computer and reliable internet.
• Valid First Aid Certification (obtained before contract start date).
• You must be legally entitled to work in Canada (if applicable, successful applicants must provide a copy of their Work Permit and temporary SIN prior to commencing work).
• Preference may be given to those who meet Canada Summer Jobs’ eligibility criteria (be between 15 and 30 years old and be legally entitled to work in Canada).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong communication and organizational skills, and enthusiasm for bird conservation.
• Experience working on, or interest in, environmental stewardship or public outreach projects.
• Experience working outdoors, ideally on environmental project(s).
• The ability to work independently with little supervision and with a team.
• Some experience conducting bird or wildlife surveys and/or collecting, managing and analyzing data.
• Familiarity with ecology and conservation needs of nesting shorebirds (Piping Plover& Bank Swallow).
• Some experience coordinating individuals, e.g., volunteers is considered a strong asset.
• Must be physically capable of walking long distances on beaches.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This position pays $18.12/ hr for an approximately 40-hr work week, plus statutory and discretionary benefits including Vacation and Personal Health Days which will be pro-rated based on start date and contract duration. Mileage reimbursement ($0.45/km)will be provided for use of a personal vehicle for travel to field sites.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume/CV, a covering letter outlining how your experience makes you the perfect candidate for this role, and three professional/employment references via the Birds Canada Online Job Portal.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Interviews will commence immediately; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Birds Canada will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Birds Canada is committed to improving levels of diversity among its volunteers, supporters, staff, and board that reflects the diversity of communities across the country. In an effort to do so, we are actively seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, or who have differing abilities are therefore welcome to self-identify in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.