Summer fieldwork positions

Position: Grassland Bird Technicians
Organization: Birds Canada 
Term: anticipated to start on 8 May 2026 and end by 8 Aug 2026

Location: Southern Prairies (Saskatchewan and Manitoba)
Housing: Accommodation will be provided for the season and will be a combination of tent camping and shared field house accommodation when not deployed for surveys

Are you looking to apply your skills to work that is meaningful, engaging, and makes a real difference for nature? Do you want to work in a collaborative, values-driven organization that supports flexibility and well-being while tackling important conservation challenges?

Birds Canada is the country’s leading national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Our team of 100+ staff works alongside thousands of committed volunteers and supporters to Uncover the science needed to understand birds, Unite people and communities around conservation, and Act to protect birds and their habitats. Together, we are Canada’s Voice for Birds. Will you join us?

POSITION OVERVIEW

Grassland Bird Technicians will work at multiple locations on private and public land in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba conducting bird surveys to monitor and evaluate grassland bird populations. Field duties will involve early morning avian point counts, rapid vegetation/habitat assessments, and deployment and retrieval of autonomous recording units. Other tasks include data entry, maintenance of equipment, and some processing of bioacoustics samples.

Applicants must be independent and comfortable with the physical demands of the role (outlined below). Successful applicants will demonstrate attention to detail, be able to problem solve, thrive in shared living accommodations, and enjoy camping and long hours spent outside. Technicians will travel between sites via vehicle requiring both highway and grid road travel. Technicians will work early hours (i.e., first light of day) and fieldwork may include some overnight backpack travel to access road-less survey sites.

Accommodation will be provided for the season and will be a combination of tent camping and shared field house accommodation when not deployed for surveys. Grassland Bird Technicians may be hired at either the Technician or Crew Lead level, depending on experience. All staff will carry out core Field Technician duties, with Crew Leads taking on additional coordination and supervisory responsibilities.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

These are full-time, fixed term roles anticipated to start on 8 May 2026 and end by 8 Aug 2026. Grassland Bird Technicians (including those hired at the Crew Lead level) report to the Grassland Program Manager or the Grassland Program Biologist.

TECHNICIAN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct bird surveys beginning at first light
• Rapid vegetation/habitat assessments at bird survey stations
• Deployment and retrieval of autonomous recording units (“ARU”)
• Data entry
• Cleaning and maintenance of field equipment
• Some processing of bioacoustics recordings

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES - CREW LEAD LEVEL

In addition to the Technician Duties and Responsibilities outlined above, those hired at the Crew Lead level will also:

• Assist in supervising Grassland Surveys Technicians
• Ensure data collection is conducted in accordance with established survey protocols
• Process ARU recording data in the lab, converting it into point count data
• Supervise the cleaning, maintenance, and storage of equipment
• Data entry including overall Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• Processing of bioacoustics recordings
• Other tasks as assigned by the Manager to support project goals

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience and proficiency identifying birds by sight and sound is paramount
• Comfort and sufficient fitness for the demands of off-trail hiking over rough terrain (5-15 km per day)
• Comfortable working alone, sometimes in remote conditions
• Careful and accurate data collection, entry, and management.
• Strong communication skills for working effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and landowners.
• Valid driver’s license and eligible to work in Canada
• Valid First Aid and CPR C (obtained before contract start date)
• 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)

ASSETS

• At least one field season conducting point count bird surveys
• Native prairie plant identification skills
• Ability to safely navigate rough and sometimes unmaintained roads/trails using a 4x4 truck
• Ability to navigate with GPS, aerial maps, and compass
• Meet Canada Summer Jobs requirements (be between 15 and 30 years old and be legally entitled to work in Canada)

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary for these roles is $19.52-21.96 per hour for Technicians, with those hired at the Crew Lead level compensated at $22.41-23.91 per hour, depending on project-relevant experience and expertise, for an approximately 40-hour work week. Compensation includes statutory and discretionary benefits including pro-rated Vacation and Personal Health Days. These positions also include a modest food budget and basic accommodation for the duration of the Field Season.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume along with a covering letter that highlights how your skills and experience makes you a perfect candidate for the role via the Birds Canada Online Job Application Portal by 7 Feb 2026. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you wish to be considered for the Crew Lead level. Interviews will commence before closing of the application period.

Birds Canada will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

At Birds Canada, we are committed to fostering a culture that values Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation, and Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, as integral approaches that shape all that we do in our organization and for nature (read our full commitment to inclusion at this LINK). We oppose prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination, and aim to ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences feel a sense of belonging and can participate in protecting wild birds and their habitats.

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+, and/or who have a disability, are therefore welcome to mention this in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.

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