CONSTRUCTION & CARPENTRY JOBS

Position Title: Carpentry Assistant
Organization: Toronto Wildlife Centre
Location: Scarborough (approximately Steeles Ave. E. and Markham Rd.)

Status: Full-time (40 hours per week) or Part-Time (up to 24hrs per week)
Compensation: $17.00 per hour
Reports to: Facilities Manager

Position Summary:

Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) promotes the peaceful coexistence of people and wildlife by providing education and expert advice about wildlife situations, and providing medical care to sick, injured and orphaned wild animals with the ultimate goal of releasing healthy animals back into the wild. Currently we help over 5,000 wildlife patients each year, treating over 270 different species including everything from the rare and provincially protected like Peregrine Falcons and Blanding’s Turtles to the more common species seen regularly in Ontario’s parks and neighbourhoods like Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Eastern Chipmunks. The Centre is operated by a core group of highly skilled and dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers serving many needs, from caring for our wild patients to buying the yummy and healthy groceries essential for healing and growth. As a registered charity, TWC depends primarily on the financial support of individual donors and foundations, many of which have been doing so for over 25 years.

In the near future, TWC will be moving to our forever home in the Rouge National Urban Park and this exciting new positon will play a vital role in making that happen. As the Carpentry Assistant, your main role will be to assist the Facilities Manager in building the many new enclosures needed to house our wild patients during their recovery, or in the case of our orphans grow up, and become healthy/well-adjusted wild animals ready to fend for themselves back in the wild again. In addition, you will also be assisting with maintaining existing enclosures as well as many other construction and facility related duties as needed to help us as we transition to our new home.

Accountabilities:

• Assist in the construction and maintenance of a variety of enclosures designed for the very specific needs of a large range of wildlife patients
• Perform physical labour such as pouring, moving and raking concrete as well as digging and shovelling materials like gravel, stone and mulch
• Assist with a variety of other construction and repair tasks such as installing plywood, drywall, windows, doors, gates and roof shingles
• Perform lighter renovation and maintenance tasks such as sanding, painting, and staining
• Build and install animal enclosure furnishings and enrichment such as perches, den boxes, climbing apparatus, and many more
• Assist in the maintenance of the facilities and grounds as needed
• Other responsibilities as required

Job Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to individuals attending a trade or technical school specific to carpentry, construction or similar trades (please see accountabilities listed above)
• Must provide own construction boots
• Current fall protection certification required
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and use of a vehicle also an asset

Experience:

• Experience using various power tools; including but not limited to skill saws, table saws, and reciprocating saws
• Experience in most aspects of carpentry and building, including measuring and cutting materials, nailing, drilling, fastening and leveling
• Painting and/or renovation experience an asset

Competencies:

• Strong understanding of construction and carpentry fundamentals
• Excellent ability to follow instructions and protocols and work without direct supervision
• Able to complete tasks efficiently and to a high quality (with a strong focus on the details); often under tight timelines and with multiple competing demands
• Able to work well with a variety of people
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to perform work safely and to follow all health and safety protocols and practices
• Sensitive to the special needs of wild animals in captivity

Physical Requirements:

• Requires lifting, bending, carrying, shovelling, pushing and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials
• Able and willing to work at heights, including on ladders and rooftops
• Required to walk on uneven ground in a fast-paced, physically demanding role while occasionally carrying and/or hauling large and/or heavy materials
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds regularly and perform other strenuous activities on a regular basis

Working Conditions:

• May require occasional work on evenings, weekends or holidays
• Work is performed mostly outdoors; with the majority of the work being performed in a large farmers field with little to no shade or cover from the elements
• Required to work in various weather conditions
• Must use personal protective equipment as required for each duty

To apply:

Please e-mail cover letter and résumé to hr@torontowildlifecentre.com Attention: George Bartosik and include “Carpentry Assistant” in the subject line.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

We sincerely thank all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no inquiries.

Please note: Toronto Wildlife Centre is considered an essential workplace and adheres to Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 Guidelines for Businesses & Community Organisations