Data management, Conservation and biodiversity research 

Position: Data Mobilization Specialist
Organization: Birds Canada
Location: This role may be performed remotely from anywhere in Canada or from one of our office locations (Port Rowan, ON, or Sackville, NB). Hybrid arrangements are also available to support accessibility and work-life balance.

Birds Canada is the country’s leading national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Our team of over 100 staff works alongside thousands of committed volunteers to support bird research and conservation. Birds Canada is a collaborative, values-driven organization that supports flexibility and well-being while tackling important conservation challenges.

Data form the foundation of Birds Canada’s mandate to conserve wild birds and robust data tools are mission critical. The Birds Canada Data Science and Technology branch supports hundreds of research and monitoring projects through two conservation technology platforms NatureCounts (naturecounts.ca) and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (motus.org). These international platforms provide technological tools to facilitate scientific research and monitoring; the analysis, interpretation, curation and communication of data for use by various audiences and direct conservation action.

POSITION OVERVIEW

CanAvian is a community of ornithological researchers, conservation actors and software service providers (NatureCounts, Motus, and WildTrax) that together generate, manage and share biodiversity datasets of international importance. CanAvian’s core mission is to make high-quality, standardized avian data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) nationally and internationally to drive science, conservation, and policy. The CanAvian network brings together government agencies, NGOs, academia, and Indigenous communities to develop a national framework for standardized data collection, sharing, and analysis.

CanAvian partners support Canadian researchers across more than 850 institutions and organizations, and manage and share thousands of datasets representing close to 10 billion observations that have been used in over 4,500 scientific publications. These data are instrumental to the successful implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy, and for solving applied conservation challenges from local to global scales (see Evidence of Success and this video).

The CanAvian Data Mobilization Specialist plays a pivotal role in achieving this mission. This position is central to defining and implementing interoperable data standards and data sharing pipelines. The mobilization specialist will be responsible for leading the development of consistent data management practices, standardized interoperable formats and ensuring that a diverse range of data collected by various partners can be seamlessly integrated between existing research data platforms and repositories (i.e. NatureCounts, WildTrax, Motus, GBIF, eBird, Movebank, MoveBON etc).

Based at Birds Canada, the Data Mobilization Specialist will work in close partnership with national (e.g., ABMI, Biodiversity Pathways) and international (e.g., GBIF, TDWG, AKN, Cornell) collaborators and Indigenous partners to establish data standards, policies and pipelines to maximize the utility of Canadian avian data for conservation efforts while respecting data ownership, provenance, restrictions, and OCAP principles.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Reporting to the Associate Director, Data Science and Technology, this is a two-year, full-time contract position, with long term renewal possibilities. This role may be performed remotely from anywhere in Canada or from one of our office locations (Port Rowan, ON, or Sackville, NB). Hybrid arrangements are also available to support accessibility and work-life balance. Occasional travel (typically 1–2 trips per year) for meetings, workshops or conferences may be required. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

SALARY

This role offers a salary range of $69,534 to $90,395 with the starting salary determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience and aligned with internal pay equity practices.

TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Birds Canada offers a competitive starting salary with predictable annual increases, 20 days of vacation and 12 personal health days per year (prorated based on start date and contract duration), paid days off between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and observance of all statutory holidays, including the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. After 12 months, employees receive 5% RRSP matching through Canada Life.

We also offer a primarily employer-paid extended health and dental benefits package - including disability, life insurance, vision care, travel insurance, and an Employee/Family Assistance Plan, as well as access to exclusive employee discounts through select outdoor and conservation-focused partners.

Birds Canada consistently sees strong employee wellness outcomes and high Employee Net Promoter Scores, reflecting a workplace where people feel supported, engaged, and proud of the work they do.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Standards & Interoperability

• Lead the development, refinement, and implementation of interoperable data standards to ensure consistent formatting and integration across existing research data management platforms and repositories.
• Identify gaps and opportunities to enhance data exchange between service providers and international biodiversity networks (e.g., Global Biodiversity Information Facility).
• Develop and maintain documentation, crosswalks, scripts, and APIs that enable secure, automated data flows while respecting data sharing permissions and provenance.

Technology & Systems Development

• Develop and maintain software tools, databases, and data pipelines that support data acquisition, integration, analysis, and sharing.
• Improve connectivity across platforms, clarify data flows, and address bottlenecks to strengthen the CanAvian data ecosystem.

Data Governance & Policy

• Ensure data management practices align with FAIR and CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, and relevant data-sharing policies.
• Contribute to harmonized policy recommendations that respect Indigenous data principles, species-at-risk protections, privacy considerations, and appropriate data-use restrictions.

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Grow a national network of government, academic, NGO, and Indigenous partners to advance data sharing and collaboration.
• Engage the CanAvian community to inform the development of data standards, tools, and governance frameworks.
• Promote and support adoption of CanAvian data standards and platforms across partner organizations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Technical Expertise

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in data management and analysis, preferably within a conservation, environmental, or biodiversity research context.
• Proficiency in relational database design and management (e.g., SQL Server), including data storage, querying, and retrieval.
• Demonstrated high-level proficiency in programming languages commonly used for data analysis and data pipelines, such as R, Python, and Java.
• Familiarity with software development methodologies, including version control systems (e.g., Git) and testing practices.
• Experience developing and implementing data standards and governance policies, including adherence to FAIR and OCAP Principles for Indigenous Data Governance.

Data & Ecological Knowledge

• Familiarity with avian survey and monitoring techniques and associated data formats (e.g., point counts, ARUs, wildlife tracking).
• Knowledge of statistical methods and experience applying them to large ecological or biological datasets is considered an asset.

Collaboration, Project Management & Training

• Experience managing complex, multi-partner projects and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government, academic, indigenous and non-governmental partners.
• Experience designing and delivering training, tools, or support to non-technical users on data management best practices.
• English required, French and/or Spanish would be assets.

EDUCATION AND/OR EQUIVALENT EXPERIENCE

Graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in ecology, biology, environmental science, biodiversity informatics, data science, or a related discipline or an undergraduate degree in one of these fields combined with significant, relevant professional experience in data mobilization, data management, or applied bioinformatics.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume along with a covering letter outlining how your experience makes you the ideal candidate for this role via the Birds Canada Online Job Portal by March 26th at 12:00 pm EST. Please note that applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada at the time of application. 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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