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Title

Stewardship and Monitoring Intern

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location Canada (British Columbia) - America North
Type Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status Part Time / Per Day
Level Voluntary & Interns
Deadline 01/03/2013
Company Name Nature Conservancy Canada
Contact Name
Website Further Details / Applications
Nature Conservancy Canada logo
Directory Entry : Conservation Jobs with The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The NCC is Canada's leading national land conservation organization.
Also Listing:
Description

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a private, non-profit organization that prides itself on its entrepreneurial, science-based approach to achieving conservation success through direct action. Since 1962, NCC and its supporters have protected more than 2.6 million acres (1 million hectares) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC has experienced dramatic growth in recent years, and is now listed as the 13th largest non-profit organization in Canada, with a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country.

Purpose and General Description:

The Nature Conservancy of Canada protects critical natural areas of ecological importance in British Columbia. NCC BC is responsible for the stewardship of over 182,500 acres of habitat, including 23 conservation covenants. Interns play an integral role in stewarding these properties by assisting BC staff with stewardship activities; particularly ecological and compliance monitoring of conservation covenants.

Covenants (also known as conservation easements) are use restrictions that landowners place on their properties through agreements with NCC, and are legally binding on present and future owners. For covenants to work effectively, annual monitoring of the covenant land is performed to ensure compliance with the agreement. The intern will undertake monitoring tasks throughout Coastal British Columbia. Extensive travel and independent fieldwork requires liaising with landowners, staff, volunteers and partner organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

  1. Conduct monitoring site visits for all NCC covenants in the South Coast of B.C.:
  • Participate in a week of training on covenant monitoring;
  • Review covenant project background materials including: Baseline Documentation Reports (BDRs), Property Management Plans (PMPs), restoration plans, communications files, previous monitoring reports and maps;
  • Conduct monitoring surveys in the field and prepare monitoring reports in accordance with NCC’s Level-1 monitoring protocols to ensure that covenanted properties are continuing in their natural states in accordance with the terms of the legal agreements between the landowners and NCC;
  • Correspond with landowners prior to and after monitoring site visits including follow-up of any covenant violations;
  • Undertake independent fieldwork, GPS mapping, photo monitoring and report preparation, as well as liaison with BC Region staff, landowners and other land trusts throughout the region.

Additional Responsibilities

  1. Stewardship of NCC properties in Coastal B.C.:
  • Participate in the stewardship of NCC’s fee-simple (privately owned) Conservation Areas located throughout the West Coast Program area of BC. This may include:
    • Invasive species control;
    • Native species re-introductions;
    • Installing signage;
    • Coordinating or participating in volunteer events;
    • Assisting with the implementation of restoration actions;
    • Conducting biological monitoring on the status of conservation targets (species or ecosystems of concern) or the effectiveness of restoration treatments;
    • Assisting with literature reviews or researching stewardship best practices in support of developing Property Management Plans or other conservation plans;
    • Data management in NCC’s Land Information System.
  1. Communications about NCCs work in Coastal British Columbia:
    • Prepare articles, emails, blog entries or other forms of communications about NCCs work in partnership with NCC communications staff;
    • Take and submit to NCC photographs and/or video recordings about the work above for use on web pages, in print material and power point presentations.

Required Skills and Attributes:

Candidates must be legally able to work in Canada and have at least 3 years towards an undergraduate degree in Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology or similar discipline OR 2 years towards a Technical Diploma in Renewable Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Environmental or Forest Technology, Sustainable Resource Management or similar discipline.

Skills, Abilities and Experiences

This posting is targeted to candidates possessing the following qualifications:

  • Able to work in close partnership with one other intern, occasionally in isolated situations and multi-day trips, towards the completion of common deliverables;
  • Strong interpersonal, organization and communication skills including experience in dealing with the general public, and an ability to write technical reports and formal correspondence (letters);
  • Able to learn new tasks quickly and with a high level of retention;
  • Working experience in office environments;
  • Working experience with compliance monitoring is an asset;
  • Working experience and strong abilities in the identification of common native and exotic plant species occurring in coastal B.C.;
  • Knowledge of geomorphology (terrain analysis), hydrology, wildlife identification, cartography, and air ­photo interpretation;
  • Knowledge of ecological processes influencing the CWH and CDF zones;
  • Familiarity with the B.E.C. system of ecosystem classification to the Site Series level, T.E.M. mapping, Describing Ecosystems in the Field, site interpretation, photo-point monitoring and GPS navigation;
  • Strong computer skills associated with Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point). Familiarity with Abode Creative Suite (including In Design) and Arc GIS and Trimble field-based mapping is an asset;
  • Familiarity with the operation of DSLR cameras and photo-editing software;
  • Backcountry navigation and travel skills;
  • Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Terms of Employment

  • This is a full-time 17 week (April 29th - August 23rd, 2013) position. Salary is $18/hour ($630/week).
  • This position is based in the BC Regional Office in Victoria, but requires travel throughout coastal BC. Extended overnight stays are required frequently. The selected individual must be prepared to travel using his/her personal vehicle on occasion. Travel expenses including mileage, accommodation and food will be reimbursed when required to work away from Victoria.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume including contact information for at least 3 references (as PDF or Word documents) and e-mail them to:

Tim Ennis
West Coast Program Manager
BC Region
E-mail: bcoffice@natureconservancy.ca
Reference position title “Stewardship and Monitoring Intern” in e-mail subject line
Closing Date: March 1st, 2013 at 5:00pm

References will not be contacted unless applicants are short-listed, and applicants will be made known of short-list status prior to references being contacted.

We thank everyone who applies for their interest in the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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