The Conservation Biologist role is two-fold - to support stewardship work and to support science and planning projects. This will include both fieldwork components to move the stewardship program forward, and to accomplish actions as laid out in Natural Area Conservation Plans (NACPs) and Property Management Plans (PMPs). In addition, the Conservation Biologist will provide GIS support services, Natural Area Conservation Plan (NACP) development support for the New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island programs of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Externally, they will work with university and NGO partners, volunteer stewards and experts to accomplish science and stewardship activities. Internally, they will work closely and cooperatively with other conservation department team members within the NB and PEI programs as well as other Atlantic Regional staff in the delivery of Atlantic’s science and stewardship objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Coordinate and undertake biological fieldwork including baseline inventories (BI), and assisting with on-the-ground stewardship actions and off-season property monitoring.
- Write forest management plans (including forest restoration, road restoration and culvert work) and coordinate and monitor their implementation by 3rd party contractors.
- Update Natural Area Conservation Plans with new scientific information (e.g. different threats, new research, GIS data) including updating GIS property prioritization layers; support bi-annual reporting of NACPs
- Lead or assist with conservation planning projects as identified in conservation plans, including GIS modeling, and assessment of threats to biodiversity.
- Assist with management of Scientific Advisory Network
- Coordinate data storage, including GIS and GPS data, and photos. Provide GIS support to NCC departments (including maps, analysis, etc.)
- Maintain current metadata and data sharing agreements for all GIS data
- Update NCC’s Land Information System (LIS) with stewardship data and property information, including editing the GIS database on LIS.
Required Skills and Attributes:
- University degree in landscape ecology, conservation biology, natural resources management or related field
- Working knowledge of Atlantic Canadian landscapes, communities and conservation issues
- Strong field skills; proven ability to delineate vegetation community classes and excellent flora and fauna ID skills
- Forestry experience and knowledge of forestry management and restoration techniques
- Exemplary organization, planning, communication (written and oral), and project management skills
- Advanced GIS expertise on ArcGIS 10.3; including geoprocessing and creating models/scripts to support GIS analyses
- Excellent interpersonal skills in working in a team environment, and ability to easily communicate, and give presentations, with a wide range of people in public and private sectors.
- Independent, self-motivated and capable of working remotely as needed.
- Bilingualism (English and French) considered an asset
Terms of Employment
This is a 14-month term position (August 2, 2016 to September 29, 2017) . There may be an opportunity to extend the position beyond the one year for the right candidate. This is a NCC pay band 3 position ($41,436-$50,528), pay to be commensurate with experience.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter detailing research and conservation interests and experience and a Curriculum Vitae in English and as one pdf document to:
Email: atlantic@natureconservancy.ca
Reference position title: “Conservation Biologist”
Closing date: June 24, 2016
We thank everyone who applies for their interest in the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.