Web application development 

Position: Web Application Developer
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 also available to support accessibility and work-life balance.

Birds Canada is the country’s leading national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Our dedicated 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.

Birds Canada’s Data Science and Technology branch maintains two internationally recognized conservation technology platforms NatureCounts (naturecounts.ca) and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (motus.org). These tools support hundreds of research and monitoring projects across more than 400 institutions, enabling the collection, management, and sharing of thousands of datasets representing nearly 10 billion observations. These data have contributed to more than 4,500 scientific publications. These data and tools 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).

POSITION CONCEPT

Birds Canada is hiring one to two software developers to support the development and maintenance of software applications used for the collection, management and exploration of bird population and tracking data through the NatureCounts platform (naturecounts.ca) and Motus Wildlife Tracking Network (motus.org).

The core tech stack used includes:

Versioning and Task Tracking: GitHub
Database: Microsoft SQL Server
Backend: Java, Geoserver
Front End:

• JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Mapbox, Leaflet, Highcharts
• Legacy Java Server Pages (JSP)
• React

The initial focus of this position will be primarily front-end development of data exploration and mapping products (e.g https://naturecounts.ca/nc/default/explore.jsp) and species accounts (e.g. https://naturecounts.ca/nc/socb-epoc/species.jsp?sp=canwar#distribution).

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Reporting to the Associate Director, Data Science and Technology, this is a two-year, full-time contract position, with strong likelihood of renewal dependant on funding availability. 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 also available to support accessibility and work-life balance. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

SALARY

This role offers a starting salary range of $56,987 - $74,084, with the final salary determined based on relevant experience and aligned with internal pay equity practices.

TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Birds Canada offers a competitive starting wage 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

The developer, in conjunction with Data Science & Technology staff, may take part in any of the following tasks:

• Develop responsive, web-based data visualization and exploration tools, including interactive maps, tables and graphs.
• Optimize performance and speed of data visualization and download tools.
• Manage workflows and code versioning through git and GitHub.
• Maintain appropriate documentation on applications.
• Ensure applications maintain appropriate levels of security and cybersecurity.

EDUCATION

BSc or technical degree in computer sciences, or a BSc in life sciences, with pertinent experience in web application development.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience in front end programming languages: HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Java servlets/JSPs, Geoserver, Mapbox and React.
• Familiarity with Java and SQL and ability to read existing code in these languages.
• Experience with geospatial software and web applications (ArcGIS, Geoserver, Leaflet, SQL Server Spatial Data etc.) would be an asset.
• Familiarity working with git version control and application deployment.
• Knowledge or interest in ecology (birds, in particular) and conservation.
• English mandatory, French and/or Spanish would be assets.
• Working with and optimizing large datasets would be an asset.

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 31 at 12pm 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.

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

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.