SUMMER JOBS & STUDENT JOBS

Positions: Shrike Recovery Field Interns (2)
Type: summer job / age 30 & under
Organization: Wildlife Preservation Canada
Location: Carden Alvar or Napanee Limestone Plain, Ontario

Project: Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery
Type of Position: Full-time (37.5 hr/wk), temporary (4 months)
Rate of Pay: $14.50/hr plus 4% vacation pay. Housing to be provided by WPC
Anticipated Start: 3 - 17 May 2021
Hours of Work: Flexible daily and weekly schedule to suit project needs and weather conditions. Working weekends will be required.

**NOTE: These positions are dependent on external funding yet to be received by WPC, so start date and duration of contract may be adjusted as funding is confirmed**

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Wildlife Preservation Canada is seeking two summer interns to assist with the implementation of the Loggerhead Shrike (LOSH) Recovery Program in Ontario. Two positions will be filled, one each in the Carden and Napanee regions. The Loggerhead Shrike is critically endangered with fewer than 50 birds found annually in Ontario in recent years. The Carden and Napanee Alvars are the two core areas where LOSH continue to breed, though sightings still occur in Smiths Falls, Pembroke/Renfrew, Grey-Bruce and Manitoulin, and some work may occur in those regions. Wildlife Preservation Canada has been managing this unique recovery program since 2003; activities include wild population surveying and monitoring, captive breeding and release, and habitat stewardship.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Area Shrike Biologist, interns will be responsible for monitoring the wild population in their designated core area, and the care and soft-release of groups of captive-hatched juveniles (transferred to release sites from one of the program’s breeding facilities over July-August); this offers a unique opportunity to work first-hand with an endangered species and the chance to gain experience in animal care and population recovery techniques in a field setting.

Specific duties will include:

• Road-side and on-site (with prior permission) surveys to locate breeding pairs of LOSH
• Remote nest monitoring to determine nest productivity
• Identification and reporting of all colour banded LOSH
• Release site and enclosure preparation and maintenance
• Daily care and husbandry of captive young prior to release during July and August (behavioural observations and provision of live food)
• Care and maintenance of invertebrate food colonies (crickets and mealworms) and live mice
• Soft-release of young; post-release monitoring and supplemental feeding
• Release site and enclosure preparation and maintenance
• Assisting with banding of all captive young prior to release
• Attachment of remote tracking devices to a subset of captive young prior to release
• Data management and assisting with monthly reports
• Additional tasks as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Strong interest in biology, conservation, and research-based fieldwork.
• Ability to work professionally and safely in variable weather with exposure to biting insects.
• Prior experience with bird monitoring/surveying.
• Experience with nest searching and colour band identification is an asset, as is familiarity with call playback surveys.
• Previous bird handling and/or banding experience is an asset, as is prior experience with animal care/captive breeding.
• Able to navigate in the field using a map, compass, and GPS.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to maintain positive relationships with private landowners.
• A valid driver’s license is required, and access to a vehicle for the duration of the contract is preferred.
• Willingness to live in rustic field quarters.

ELIGIBILITY

This position may be funded in part by the Canada Summer Jobs program. Each intern must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this position:

• be no more than 30 years of age at the start of employment;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and
• be legally entitled to work according to the relevant Ontario legislation and regulations.

To apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to: Hazel Wheeler, Lead Biologist – Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery, hazel@wildlifepreservation.ca . Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file and include the email subject heading “Shrike Recovery Field Intern Application”. Applications will be assessed as they are submitted, and the positions will be filled as soon as suitable candidates are found. Applications will not be considered after midnight (EST) March 7, 2021.

We thank all who apply, but only individuals considered for an interview will be contacted.

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