Summer jobs, Student jobs

Job Posting: Summer Student – Rural Ecologist
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Employer: Butternut Creek Nature Reserve Foundation,
Location: Combination of on-site fieldwork and remote work. Site is 45 minutes east of Ottawa – Moose Creek, ON

Duration: 8 weeks
Hours: 35 hours/week
Compensation: $20/hour
Start Date: May 4, 2026 (flexible)

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Butternut Creek Nature Reserve Foundation, located on a 150-acre property in Moose Creek, Ontario (45 minutes east of Ottawa), is hiring two (2) Rural Ecologists for a 9-week summer position.

Successful candidates (ages 15–30) will assist with habitat restoration, species monitoring, trail development, and community outreach initiatives.

If you are a secondary school graduate or a post-secondary student who enjoys working outdoors, possesses excellent writing and observation skills, and has a passion for the natural world, this job may be for you. Reliable transportation is required.

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Position Responsibilities

Habitat Restoration & Land Stewardship

• Participate in hands-on conservation work, including tree planting, invasive species removal, and installation of nest boxes and other habitat features

Species Monitoring

• Assist with ecological monitoring in wetland, grassland, and forest habitats
• Conduct bird counts and identification, amphibian and reptile surveys, and data collection

Trail Development & Maintenance

• Assist with trail development, including basic layout and improvement
• Manufacture and install trail signage
• Perform trail maintenance to ensure safe and accessible pathways

Horticulture & Native Plant Gardens

• Support the development and maintenance of native species gardens
• Create plant identification markers

Community Outreach & Education

• Contribute to outreach initiatives including social media content and educational materials
• Assist in planning, organizing, and hosting small-scale public events, such as nature walks and citizen science counts
• Help promote ongoing programs (e.g., frog counts, moth night counts)
• Support public presentations and community engagement activities

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Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in environmental protection, conservation, and habitat restoration
• Basic computer skills for data entry
• Ability to produce engaging and creative social media content
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong observation skills and attention to detail
• Comfort working outdoors, independently, and in varied weather and terrain
• Consistency and accuracy in data collection and recording
• Willingness to learn species identification and use apps such as Merlin, eBird, and iNaturalist

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Indigenous Applicants and Applicants from Rural Communities Encouraged to Apply

We invite applicants from Indigenous backgrounds and applicants from rural communities in SDG and Leeds-Grenville to self-identify in their application.

This position is funded through a youth employment program and is open to applicants aged 15 to 30.This role combines remote and on-site work; reliable transportation is required.

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Application Instructions

Please submit a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the position and any relevant experience, along with your resume to:

jeanie@butternutcreek.ca

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.