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, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-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.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary

The Conservation Assistant will report to the Natural Area Manager and will work closely with the other conservation staff and the rest of the regional team in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

The Bow Natural Area contains 2,203 hectares of owned land and monitors 22,929 hectares of partner lands under conservation easement. Core responsibilities include monitoring for legal compliance and due diligence, field data collection, asset management and reporting. There are also opportunities to work closely with partner organizations, Indigenous-led groups, local stewards, and volunteers. This position is intended to provide an inspiring, learning-focused environment for a junior professional.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Implement budget tasks and source contractors;
  • Assist with applications, implementation, and reporting for grant funding opportunities.
  • 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);
  • Conduct 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;
  • Lead 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;
  • Complete annual fee simple and compliance reports to NCC standards; and
  • Assist in creating strong partnerships with other conservation organizations and Indigenous-led groups.

Required Skills and Attributes:

  • Possess a background in Environmental Science or Agriculture;
  • At least 1-2 years of experience collecting field data, using iPads, mapping applications, and inReach devices;
  • Comfortable working both alone and in a team setting in remote locations, including in bear country or inclement weather;
  • 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;
  • Demonstrate good judgment in a variety of situations (e.g., what to do if a bear is encountered!);
  • Be enthusiastic, positive, detail oriented, and self-motivated even when not working under direct supervision;
  • Be able to work from home;
  • Display competency with Microsoft Word and Excel, general computer skills, data management and effective writing skills;
  • Have valid Standard First Aid Level C CPR and AED certification;
  • Have a valid non-probationary (class 5) driver’s license and a clean driver’s abstract;
  • Have a background in Alberta plant and wildlife identification including invasive species; and
  • Demonstrate experience working with external partners including other non-government organization (NGOs) and private landowners or leaseholders.

Terms of Employment:

  • Location: Calgary, Alberta
  • Work Week: 37.5 hours per week
  • Hourly Wage: $19-24/hour, depending on experience
  • Position details: This is a 24 week contract starting in May 2025

Application Deadline

March 17, 2025 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca.