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:

Are you interested in experiencing land and wildlife habitat conservation up close? Are you keen on invasive species management? Do you have a love of identifying plants and animals outdoors? This summer share your passion for the environment by joining the Summer Conservation Intern team working in and around Central Alberta!

As the Central Alberta Summer Conservation Intern, you will work closely with the Conservation Coordinator(s) to perform both stewardship (removing invasive species and old fences) and monitoring (invasive species, rare plant and wildlife documentation, repeat photography, compliance with NCC agreements) duties on NCC properties.

This is an ideal position for undergraduate and graduate university students of a biological, ecological and/or agricultural program who are interested in wildlife habitat conservation. The position offers a dynamic mix of hands-on restoration work, environmental monitoring, and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work closely with the Conservation Coordinator(s) to:

• Collect and maintain field data (e.g. weed inventories, wildlife observations and photo reference points) from NCC properties throughout Alberta;
• Document natural and anthropogenic disturbances or changes;
• Implement property management activities, including invasive species control, site clean-up, erecting signs, trail maintenance and fixing fences;
• Synthesize field data into a database that will be used by Conservation Operations staff in the management of NCC properties; and
• Recommend stewardship and management actions for NCC properties based on observations in the field.
• Conduct compliance monitoring of conservation easement projects by documenting changes over time and standardized reporting to be completed after monitoring, in compliance with a national standard (50% field work, 50% reporting).

Required Skills and Attributes:

This posting is targeted to students possessing the following skills and abilities:

• Demonstrate an interest and/or experience in performing stewardship (e.g. removing invasive species and old fences, hanging signage) and monitoring (e.g. invasive species, rare plant and wildlife documentation, writing standardized reports, photography, compliance reporting) duties on NCC properties;
• Ability to work well in a team setting, outdoors for extended periods and under various weather conditions (e.g. temperature and precipitation extremes) and terrains (e.g. crossing small creeks by foot or climbing up steep slopes;
• Display competency with Microsoft Word and Excel, general computer skills, data management and effective writing skills.
• Experience with Trimble Juno units and/or other GPS and Esri’s ArcGIS platform
• Background in plant and wildlife identification skills and using hand-held weed removal and fencing tools;
• Highly motivated, analytical, detail-oriented, creative and proactive;
• Enthusiastic, positive, self motivated, superior time management and organizational skills, ability to work to meet deadlines even when not working under direct supervision;
• Valid Non-Probationary (Class 5) Driver’s License
• Experience and/or familiarity using GPS, hand-held weed removal tools, fencing pliers, hammers and scythes is an asset
• Demonstrate good judgment in a variety of situations (like what you do if a bear is encountered!) (asset).

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time (40hrs/week), 4 month position (May 1- August 29). Salary is $16.00/hour.
• Position is based out of the Red Deer region but requires travel throughout Central Alberta and potentially other regions of Alberta with overnight stays away from the home office, as well as some weekends in remote or rural areas.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should forward their cover letter and resume quoting “Conservation Intern – Central Alberta” to:

Attention: Colleen McPhee, Re: Conservation Intern – Central Alberta
Email: colleen.mcphee@natureconservancy.ca

Application Deadline: Sunday February 23^rd, 2014

No telephone calls please.

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