Field Research Technicians

Bird Studies Canada – Ontario Region is hiring motivated and experienced field research technicians for species-at-risk projects taking place in southwestern and eastern Ontario.

Note: Some positions may be funded in part by the Canada Summer Jobs program, and therefore some hiring preference may be given to applicants that meet eligibility criteria (below). However, applicants not meeting eligibility are still encouraged to apply.

To meet eligibility criteria for Canada Summer Jobs funding, the candidate must:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age;
• Have been registered as a full-time student in the previous academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or have official refugee protection status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (foreign students are not eligible); and
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada, according to relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.

Please indicate in your cover letter whether or not you meet Canada Summer jobs eligibility criteria. Bird Studies Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

FIELD RESEARCH TECHNICIAN POSITIONS are available for the following projects:

• Southern Ontario Forest Birds at Risk Project
• Eastern Ontario Cerulean Warbler Project
• Aerial Insectivore Research and Monitoring Project

Bird Studies Canada (BSC) is seeking motivated and experienced field research assistants to conduct fieldwork on a several research projects. Target species in these projects include Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Cerulean Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler, Chimney Swift, Bank Swallow and Barn Swallow.

Duties will include:

1. Obtaining permission to survey on private lands via communicating with landowners, volunteers and the general public.
2. Extensive field work; nest searching and monitoring, bird surveys (e.g., point counts, area searches), habitat and vegetation sampling, and mist-netting and banding birds.
3. Entering and organizing data and maintaining databases.
4. Assisting with the development of technical reports and publications.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong knowledge of Ontario breeding birds (able to identify by both sight and sound), including ecology and conservation issues pertaining to target species.
• Experience conducting point counts and/or other bird population monitoring techniques
• High level of organization, initiative, and record keeping
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Able to work in a team
• Valid driver’s license
• Valid First Aid certification (obtained before start date)
• Able to work independently with little supervision

ASSETS:

• Experience with mist-netting and banding songbirds
• Experience with orientation (GPS, compass, maps)
• Experience camping
• Experience delivering stewardship or outreach programs
• Data management
• Working towards, or hold, a B.Sc. or equivalent college diploma in biological, environmental or natural resource sciences
• Meet Canada Summer Jobs requirements

SALARY AND OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS: $2,300 – $2,500 (CDN) per month, plus legal benefits and accommodations. Positions are 3 to 4 months in duration and begin May 1-15, 2016 (flexible). Eastern Ontario field staff will be based out of Queen’s University Biological Station and all other staff will be based out of BSC’s headquarters in Port Rowan, Ontario, although field work will require travel around southwestern ON. Housing accommodation is available at Long Point Bird Observatory’s Old Cut Field Station.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Mon Feb 20 2017, 9am EST (interviews will be conducted between February 21 to 24, 2016), or until a qualified candidates are found.

To apply send a one-page cover letter, resume and three reference contacts as ONE DOCUMENT to Kristyn Richardson (krichardson@bsc-eoc.org). In your cover letter, please highlight your work location preferences (eastern vs. southwestern Ontario), your qualifications/assets pertaining to the position and whether you meet Canada Summer Jobs eligibility criteria. Applications that fail to highlight relevant qualifications and experience will not be considered. While Bird Studies Canada welcomes all applications, only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.