Job Title: Amphibian Conservation Field Technician.
Job Term: June 5 to September 29 (17 weeks).
Hours: 35 hours per week, evenings and nightshifts required.
Salary: $25-$28 per hour – commensurate with experience and funding availability.
Location: Creston BC, with travel throughout the Kootenay Boundary Region.
- Applicants must provide their own accommodation based in Creston BC between Monday and Friday.
- Work terms and duties subject to Public Health orders and recommendations.
Job Description:
The British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) is looking to fill 2 seasonal positions for Amphibian Conservation Field Technicians in the Creston Valley. Technicians will assist the American Bullfrog Action Team (ABAT) in carrying out the field work component of the Kootenay Boundary American Bullfrog Control Program based in Creston, BC with occasional travel throughout the area. Under the supervision of Ministry of Forests (FOR) project leads, successful candidates will work in a team and on a flexible schedule to monitor and control amphibian populations in wetland and riparian habitats. This is a fieldwork-based position with irregular shifts (night work) required. Experience working in an outdoor setting in adverse weather and environmental conditions is a necessity. This job may also require fieldwork in adjacent wetlands in the United States (pending travel restrictions), so ability for cross-border travel is preferred.
Position Duties Include:
- Deployment/retrieval of Acoustic Recording Units (ARUs).
- Monitoring of amphibian populations in wetland and riparian habitats – targeting invasive American bullfrogs for eradication.
- Nocturnal calling and eyeshine surveys, egg mass surveys, trapping, and active capture using electrofishing units, dip nets, and other methods.
- Access sites via canoe, power boat, hiking through thick brush, wading through wetlands in all weather, and at night.
- Capture and euthanasia of invasive American bullfrogs in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care’s guidelines on the care and use of wildlife.
- ID and recording observations of all herpetofauna while on survey.
- Collect and record environmental data.
- Analysis of stomach contents of captured bullfrogs.
- Use of inReach communications devices and safety monitoring systems.
- Maintenance and repair of field equipment.
- Adherence to BC’s Hygiene Protocols for Amphibian Field Staff and Researchers to prevent the spread of invasive species and diseases.
* Please Note: much of the work associated with this position occurs after dark, and sometimes into early hours of the morning. Flexibility in scheduling and an ability to maintain a sharp focus and attention to detail and safety in the field is essential.
Minimum Qualifications/requirements:
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Valid First Aid (Worksafe BC Level 1)
- Valid Class 5 driver’s license
- Valid passport
- Electrofishing Certification – or ability to obtain prior to start date
- Experience with boating and safety – canoes, kayaks and/or motorized craft
- Competent working with tablets and computers
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience working in the outdoors, in adverse weather and environmental conditions
- Competent navigating through complex terrain
- Ability to work independently, in a team, and remotely
Preferred Qualifications and skillsets:
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card
- Familiar with field survey procedures and equipment
- Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and technical challenges
- Experience in mobile data collection, use of GPS, measuring tools, dissection
- Familiarity with interior BC native frog species
- Extremely strong attention to detail
- A degree, diploma, or enrollment in the natural sciences
- A passion for conserving native herpetofauna species
Please note: successful applicants will be responsible for their own accommodation in Creston BC for the duration of the field season. Per Diems allowances are available for shifts outside of the Creston Valley.
Closing Date: 2:00 pm Friday, March 31, 2023
Using the form below, please submit a cover letter and a complete resume including 3 references with contact information. These must be submitted as two separate documents. Please submit in .pdf format with your name in the file title (e.g. John_Smith_Coverletter.pdf). Please clearly state how you meet the qualifications for this position in your application, as only candidates deemed qualified will be contacted for interviews.
We recognize the importance of a diversified workforce, and we encourage Indigenous People(s), First Nations, and Métis candidates, women, members of visible minorities and persons with different abilities to apply.
COVID-19:
While the BC Conservation Foundation does not currently have a mandatory COVID-19 policy, we take The BC Public Health Officer’s guidelines seriously. Many of our clients have enacted mandates that stipulate vaccination requirements be met by their workers and contractors. In light of this, we require all BC Conservation Foundation employees, our contractors and volunteers to be fully vaccinated before entering client mandated worksites, unless having a properly supported human rights exemption reflected under the provisions of the BC Human Rights Code.
The BC Conservation Foundation respectfully acknowledges that we operate on the traditional and unceded territory of many Indigenous Peoples throughout British Columbia.