Who are we?
Credit Valley Conservation is one of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities dedicated to protecting, restoring and enhancing our local natural environment. We care for the Credit River, its streams and tributaries from the headwaters in Orangeville to the shores of Lake Ontario in Mississauga. We are scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, environmentalists, stewards, planners, foresters, recreation experts and much more. We create connections between people and nature, knowledge and action. We inspire appreciation for the role of nature in keeping people connected, healthy and happy. We’re leaders and explorers. We are professional and we’re inspired. We know our stuff, and we work every day to make a difference.
Who are you?
You want to be part of an organization with an environmental goal. You get up every day and go to work with purpose. You accept that you may not change the world, but you’ll try to make an impact in your corner. You like to partner with skilled people across many professions. It’s as natural for you think about the outdoors as it is to think out of the box. You’re passionate, responsible and approachable. You do what’s right, not just what’s easy. You care, and it shows.
Why work for us?
We offer competitive public sector pay. We’re members of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System - OMERS pension fund. We find time to have fun and celebrate successes. You’ll know your co-workers by name and will make fast friends. You’ll like being at work.
Summary of Functions
Reporting to the Natural Heritage Inventory Specialist, you will be a supporting member of a two-person field crew that spends most days of the field season (June through September) conducting biological inventories of breeding birds, bats (road-based acoustic inventories), vegetation communities using Ecological Land Classification (ELC) and flora in natural areas throughout the Credit River watershed. The inventories are conducted on public and private lands, most is off-trail and a wide variety of field conditions are encountered. Database entry of field data, and support to analysis and reporting functions are additional office-based components of this position.
We are looking for someone who is keen to expand their foundation species identification skills and their experience with ELC. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work closely with our flora and fauna experts and to learn about the watershed’s species in depth. Our Natural Heritage Inventory team does extensive work in ELC and as a part of our team, you will gain valuable experience in its application, building on the foundation you have gained in the classroom.
Eligibility Requirements
- Completion of a post-secondary program such as biology, ecology, botany, environmental science, fish and wildlife, ecosystem management, or natural resource management
- Field work experience necessary. Ability to work under inclement conditions (i.e., bugs, weather, and wetlands) and off-trail, all day and on a daily basis
- Some of the inventory work will require early morning (i.e., at or before sunrise for bird inventory) and/or night work (from sunset to approx. midnight for bat inventory) hours for part of the field season. Ability to accommodate these hours is required
- Good flora and fauna identification skills. Strength in plant and/or bird identification (sight and song) an asset
- Working experience with field inventory protocols, particularly Ecological Land Classification, an asset
- Experience with data entry using MS Access and with spreadsheets in MS Excel are assets
- Customer service or landowner contact experience an asset
- Valid Class “G” Ontario driver’s license. The successful applicant will be required to provide a MTO Ontario Driver’s Abstract
- Current First Aid certificate an asset
Summary of Major Tasks
- Working as a supporting member of a small field crew conducting inventory of natural areas following the Ecological Land Classification protocols throughout the Credit River watershed
- Site orientation using orthophotos and GPS unit
- Assist with field identification of fauna (birds by sight and sound) and flora (trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants including grasses and sedges) and other field data collection
- Accurate record-keeping of field data
- Assist with in-office identification and verification of flora using dichotomous keys and botanical manuals
- Responsible for the accurate entry of field data into MS Access database
- Plant sample collection and herbarium specimen preparation
- Participate in evening road-based bat acoustic inventories
- You will be given an individual project to work on over your term that supports our office-based work