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Wetlands Assessment Assistant
Start Date: May 1, 2023
End Date: August 31, 2023
About the B.C. Wildlife Federation
The B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF) is British Columbia’s leading conservation organization. As a province- wide, member-driven charitable organization, with over 43,000 members and more than 100 member clubs, our organization represents the interests of all British Columbians who aim to protect, enhance, and promote the wise use of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
Job Overview – Wetlands Assessment Assistant
The B.C. Wildlife Federation is looking for a 4-month Wetlands Assessment Assistant to work under the guidance of the Wetlands Assessment and Field Coordinator. The Wetlands Workforce project works to improve the health of watersheds while creating economic and skill building opportunities and strengthening relationships with First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations. Learn more about Wetlands Workforce here: https://wetlandsworkforce.ca/ This competitive internship opportunity provides hands-on experience for individuals who are interested in a career in ecology and/or conservation. In this position, you will have the unique opportunity to get involved in rewarding conservation and stewardship work throughout B.C.!
This position will support the Wetland Assessment and Field Coordinator and include training events and site assessments, as well as data review and submission. Extensive travel within BC engaging with indigenous communities, conducting wetland assessments and completing maintenance and monitoring on wetland restoration sites. Travel may require up to 10 to 12 days away at a time and accommodations will include camping and motels. Field work can be remote, occur in difficult terrain and in all weather conditions. Hiring preference will be given to candidates that are based in the Okanagan region by start of the work term. For further job description, please review the core responsibilities of the Wetland Assistant below.
To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community, women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (2SLGBTQIA+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the diversity of our workforce are encouraged to express their interest and apply.
Qualified candidates may submit their resume and cover letter as a single PDF document via email to: wew (at) bcwf . bc . ca. Please indicate candidate’s name in the subject line. E.g. Wetlands_Assessment_Assistant_FirstName_LastName.
Applicants must apply by March 15, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (PST). However, we will review applications and conduct interviews on the rolling basis, and we encourage applicants to apply early.
We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For other career opportunities at BCWF, please visit our website – https://bcwf.bc.ca/current- opportunities/
Core Responsibilities
- Conduct site visits of wetland and riparian areas, primarily completing monitoring and assessment surveys.
- Support engagement with First Nations, landowners or property managers, students, project partners and public to promote collaboration efforts and conservation of wetlands.
- Identify plants, classify soils and conduct vegetation plots to support the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) and Canadian National Wetland Inventory.
- Occasionally conduct maintenance, including but not limited to invasive vegetation removal, planting native species, fencing and other structure maintenance.
- Adhere to health and safety protocols at all times and report any unsafe conditions.
- Use ArcGIS field apps, 360 camera and drones, to collect and maintain accurate wetland assessment data.
- Clean and maintain field operation equipment and report any damages or concerns to the Wetlands Assessment and Field Coordinator.
- Assist with conducting data analysis and preparing data summary reports and maps.
- Assist with coordinating site access and field work logistics with industry, private landowners or property managers, and members of First Nations.
- Provide training support to the Wetlands Assessment and Field Coordinator including logistics planning, crowd management, field demonstration, and debrief for public engagement events.
- Perform other duties as directed by the Wetlands Assessment and Field Coordinator.
Competencies and Skills
Requirements:
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment, and be eligible to work in B.C.
Work Experience:
- Experience working and traveling with a small team.
Wetlands Assessment Assistant
- Experience working in a wilderness or backcountry environment.
- Experience using technology for digital data collection
Education:
- A technical diploma or a degree in the field of natural resource management (e.g., Ecological Restoration; Environmental Science; etc.) is an asset.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Valid Class 5 driver’s license with a clean driving record and capable/confident in driving long distances.
- Willing to travel extensively throughout the corresponding and adjacent region.
- Willing to work extended shifts, up to 10 days, including weekends, extended hours and evenings based on project needs. (Note: averaging agreements will ensure your time is balanced to an average of 160 hours per 4-week period.)
- Strong collaboration and communication skills with a professional and positive attitude to work with the team and external stakeholders.
- Attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
- Knowledge of wetland, riparian or watershed ecosystems, and/or the willingness to develop a strong understanding of these environments.
- Strong work ethic and self-starter, able to effectively manage multiple priorities, and adapt to change within a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to meet physical demands of the job and endure rigorous fieldwork, including but not limited to carrying equipment through rough terrain. .
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and remote work collaboration programs (e.g., Office Suites, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive)
Additional Assets:
- Valid First Aid Certification, Transport Canada Drone Pilot Certificate, and/or B.C. Pesticide Applicators Certificate.
- Experience working and collaborating with First Nations and Indigenous communities, or other stakeholders and partners on projects.
- Experience in safe operation of 4WD trucks on forest service roads, power tools, and other field equipment.
- Working knowledge of ecological restoration and environmental monitoring methods.
- Knowledge of wetland and invasive plant ID, using dichotomous keys and utilizing resources for identifying wetland plants.
- Knowledge of soil classification and descriptions.
- Familiarity with Biogeoclimatic Zones (BEC) and wetland classification.
- Experience with handheld GPS and GIS tools such as ArcGIS including Fieldmaps, Survey123, ArcCollector or other apps for digital data collection in the field.
Position Terms & Compensation
Position Terms:
This is a full-time contracted position ending on August 31, 2023, with the possibility to extend. The successful candidate for this position will travel extensively in B.C., working frequently outdoors under various conditions. The candidate will also work collaboratively with the team in a remote work-from-home setting on office days. An averaging agreement may be provided during the field season to balance no more than 160 hours over a 4-week period.
Compensation:
Wage: $20-24/hour, to be reviewed based on experience
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal
Contract length: 4 months
Salary: $20.00-$24.00 per hour
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Surrey, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Secondary School (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Surrey, BC
Application deadline: 2023-03-15
Expected start date: 2023-05-01
