Conservation Assistant

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Position details: Full Time Contract (4-6 months)

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Conservation Assistant to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 15 million hectares (more than 35 million acres) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Position Summary

Work Week: 37.5 hours per week

Position Details: Subject to funding these are 4 to 6-month internships starting in May-June 2022

Salary: $19-25/hour based on experience and length of contract

Closing Date: January 31, 2023

General Task Outline:

• Conduct annual property inspections to identify stewardship actions, emerging threats, and risks and liabilities;
• Monitor biodiversity targets (e.g., species at risk, vegetation communities) and threats (e.g., invasive species);
• Support staff with compliance monitoring of conservation easements;
• Implement recommended stewardship and management actions on NCC properties, with a focus on invasive species monitoring and removal, assisting with volunteer events, maintaining fences, installing property signs and other tasks, as required;
• Assist with data collection, data entry, and reporting writing;
• Act as NCC ambassadors in the field including liaising with members of the public to inform them about NCC, its mandate and property management activities.

Position Requirements

• Demonstrate an interest and/or experience in performing stewardship actions (e.g., removing invasive species, fence maintenance, and installing signage), completing monitoring duties (e.g., documenting invasive species, rare plants and wildlife, photography, database entry, and report preparation) as well as communicating with members of the communities and/or partners (essential);

• Be enthusiastic, positive, detail oriented, and self-motivated even when not working under direct supervision (essential);
• Be able to work from home (essential);
• Display competency with Microsoft Word and Excel, general computer skills, data management and effective writing skills. (essential);
• Work well individually and within a team environment, including with supervisors, other Conservation Technicians, and volunteers (essential);
• Have valid Standard First Aid Level C CPR and AED certification (essential);
• Have a valid non-probationary (class 5) driver’s license and a clean driver’s abstract (essential);
• Have a reliable vehicle and be able to drive to a central meeting location (essential);
• Possess a background in Environmental Science or Agriculture (asset);
• Have a background in Alberta plant and wildlife identification including invasive species (asset);
• Have experience using iPads, mapping applications, and inReach devices (asset);
• Have experience using hand-held weed removal and fencing tools (asset); and
• Demonstrate good judgment in a variety of situations (e.g., what to do if a bear is encountered!) (asset).

How to Apply

NCC is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your cover letter, resume and salary expectations through our Career Centre by 11:59pm MST February 21st, 2023.

NCC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We value and incorporate diverse traditions, heritage, knowledge and experiences in our mission and in our workplaces. We celebrate the full participation of people from all walks of life as we work towards common goals. We strive for a conservation movement in which equity, diversity and inclusion are the norm. This is our continuous commitment: to promote healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet for everyone.