SUMMER JOBS & STUDENT JOBS

Positions: Field Technician Interns (2) - Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery
Type: summer job / age 30 & under
Organization: Wildlife Preservation Canada
Location: Windsor, Ontario

Type of Position: Full-time (35 hr. /wk.), 8 to 23 weeks (exact length t.b.d.)
Anticipated Start: 3 May 2021
Rate of Pay: $14.50/hr
Hours of Work: Flexible daily and weekly schedule to suit project needs and weather conditions. Working weekends will be required.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) is seeking two Field Technician Interns to assist with implementation of activities related to the OPRREC program (wildlifepreservation.ca/ojibway-prairie-reptile-recovery/). The position will be based out of downtown Windsor, with field work occurring at the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem (OPCGPE). The ultimate goal of this program is to recover the Ojibway Prairie population of Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes, while providing recovery benefits to a suite of other species at risk (SAR) reptiles, plants, and insects. Working under the daily supervision of the Lead Biologist or Lead Field Technician, the Interns will conduct field work related to one or more of the following components of OPRREC: 1) reptile population monitoring, 2) threat monitoring and mitigation, and 3) habitat assessment/inventory and enhancement. Supervision will be provided on-site by the Lead Biologist based on an initial orientation and training session, monthly meetings to discuss progress towards goals, and a written evaluation mid-way through the internship.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist with installation, maintenance and effectiveness monitoring of threat mitigation structures (e.g., snake barrier fence installation and maintenance, road mortality surveys) (40%).
2. Assist with SAR snake habitat enhancement (e.g., invasive species removal, garbage clean-ups, creation of woody debris features or nesting cribs, creation of artificial hibernacula) (40%).
3. Assist with SAR snake population monitoring (e.g., visual encounter and cover object surveys) (20%).
4. The Intern will be undertaking tasks and responsibilities that fall within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field of conservation biology.
5. The Intern will use some or all of the following equipment:

1. Hand-held electronics (e.g., GPS unit, digital camera, two-way radios, etc.)
2. Hand tools (e.g., loppers, pruning saw, rake, shovel, auger, hammer, etc.)

ELIGIBILITY

This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program. WPC is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply, including indigenous youth, women, LGBTQ2 youth, visible minorities, and youth from Official Language Minority Communities (Windsor-Sarnia region). The intern must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this position:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment.
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of employment.
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• A college diploma in a related field (e.g., ecosystem management). WPC will also consider exceptional full-time students enrolled in a related college or university program.
• Strong interest in conservation biology, herpetology, and research-based field work.
• Ability and willingness to capture, handle and identify Ontario herpetofauna, especially snakes.
• Experience using relevant equipment (see 'Duties and Responsibilities').
• Physically fit and able to:
  1. Lift heavy objects (e.g., woody debris and small logs),
  2. Ride a bicycle on city streets alongside busy traffic,
  3. Work safely outdoors on your feet for extended periods of time, and
  4. Work safely outdoors in poor weather (e.g., rain, extreme heat) and in challenging habitats (e.g., thorns, thickets, biting insects, rattlesnake habitat).
• Ability and willingness to complete tasks independently, record and monitor work hours, and seek clarification if unsure of correct procedures.
• Strong verbal communication skills and work ethic (focus, professionalism, punctuality, self-motivation, and honesty).
• Ability to access work sites within the OPCGPE via personal or public transportation.

ADVANTAGEOUS SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience with plant identification (SAR and invasive species).
• Experience conducting biological surveys/inventories (especially for snakes), and ability to record detailed & legible field notes.
• Experience safely and effectively capturing, handling, and processing non-venomous snakes.
• Experience conducting road mortality surveys and identifying a range of vertebrates found dead-on-road in Ontario (e.g., birds, mammals, herpetofauna).
• Experience installing, maintaining, or monitoring threat mitigation structures (e.g., barrier fencing).
• Completion of relevant training courses (e.g., chainsaw safety training course, reptile and amphibian survey course).

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health and safety training to be provided by the Lead Biologist and will include identification of safe practices while working with venomous snakes, in the field, during a pandemic, and while driving to field sites. The location of first aid supplies will be identified. The Field Technician will be covered by Ontario Workers' Compensation and will travel in vehicles with adequate insurance during employment. The Intern must agree to adhere to all health and safety protocols and regulations (e.g., Government of Ontario Occupational Health and Safety regulations)

TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single PDF or MS word file attachment to: Jonathan Choquette, OPRREC Lead Biologist, ojibwayreptiles[at]wildlifepreservation.ca, and use the email subject heading “OPRREC – Field Technician Intern”. Application deadline is 9 March 2021 at 11:59 PM, however, applications will be assessed as they are submitted. Only individuals considered for an interview will be contacted.

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