YWCA YEIP Stewardship Intern (9 month term)

This position is being offered through the Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP) at YWCA Canada with funding from the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.  YEIP places people aged 15 to 30 from diverse backgrounds into paid internship opportunities within the non-profit and community services sector in Canada with a focus on the environment, community and women's services. This program is designed to help young Canadians learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment within the sector. Candidates must be unemployed; and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or have been granted Refugee status in order to be eligible to apply for this position.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada protects critical natural areas of ecological importance in southern Saskatchewan’s grasslands and aspen parklands. NCC Saskatchewan is responsible for the stewardship of over 110,000 acres of habitat, consisting of 132 conservation easements and 33 owned properties, including Old Man on His Back Prairie & Heritage Conservation Area (OMB). This 9 month internship position will assist the Saskatchewan staff team with stewardship activities related to fee simple (owned) property management, assisting in the training of summer field staff, field season preparation, ecological monitoring, mapping of biological communities and threats, data entry, and assisting with the implementation of the Conservation Volunteer Program. The job will involve extensive travel and independent fieldwork and requires liaising with landowners, staff, volunteers and partner organizations.

Primary Responsibilities

Implement and coordinate Conservation Internship Program activities as directed by the Stewardship Coordinator such as:

• Duties related to fee simple (owned) property management including collecting field data, writing Baseline Inventories and Property Management Plans, and implementing Property Management Plan recommendations;
• Provide leadership and direction to Summer Stewardship Interns while serving alongside team members on projects;
• Serve as a communication link between the NCC Saskatchewan Region and Interns;
• Organize project-related administration work, including time & billing, expense claims and project reports with the support of the NCC Saskatchewan Region;
• Assist Stewardship Activities Coordinator with the delivery of the Conservation Volunteers Program;
• Contribute to monthly articles and other communications pieces;
• Assist with the implementation of NCC Saskatchewan’s annual monitoring program
• Complete and submit all necessary NCC reports in a timely manner.

Secondary Responsibilities

As a team member, the YWCA YEIP Stewardship Intern will:

• Navigate to remote field sites located throughout Saskatchewan;
• Complete biodiversity inventory of flora, fauna and communities on NCC properties;
• Complete vegetation maps at plant community level;
• Monitor ecological health and Conservation Agreement compliance on NCC properties;
• Utilize GPS and GIS technology to incorporate collected data into reports and the NCC-land information database;
• Prepare Baseline Documentation Reports, Baseline Inventory Reports and Monitoring Reports for NCC properties; and
• Participate in field tours and events.

Skills and Abilities

In order to be eligible to apply for this position, you must be between the ages of 15 to 30, unemployed, and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been granted Refugee status. Preference will be given to candidates who are graduates (B.Sc.) from an accredited college or university with a degree in Agriculture, Environmental or Biological Sciences. This posting is targeted to individuals possessing the following skills:

• Experience in a leadership role;
• Knowledge of Saskatchewan’s grassland and wetland ecosystems and an ability to monitor range condition and riparian health;
• Excellent plant and ecological community identification skills, as well as bird and mammal identification skills;
• Must be proficient in the use of digital cameras, GPS, aerial photos, Topographic Maps, and RM Maps;
• Proficient in computer usage, including data entry, Internet and MS Office applications;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and excellent technical writing skills;
• Able to interact and communicate effectively with landowners;
• Able to work independently and in team environments;
• Analytical, and detail-oriented, creative, proactive thinker;
• Self motivated, superior time management skills, ability to work to meet deadlines;
• Familiarity with Saskatchewan agriculture and land use practices;
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License;
• Able to work under adverse climatic conditions and in physically demanding terrain.

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time (35 hours/week), 36 week (April 1 to December 31, 2010) position. Salary is $12/hour ($420/week).
• Candidates must be 15-30, unemployed, and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or have been granted Refugee status in order to be eligible to apply for this position.
• The YEIP particularly encourages applicants from visible minority, Aboriginal, immigrant, refugee and traditionally marginalized communities, and is committed to providing employment accommodation supports for youth with disabilities where reasonably possible.
• This position is based in Regina, but requires the ability to travel throughout southern Saskatchewan to field sites. There will be occasional overnight stays away from the base. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Applications

Interested applicants should forward their cover letter and resume to:

Jennipher Karst, Stewardship Activities Coordinator
Saskatchewan Region, The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Reference position title: “Job ID: 17-199 - SK – YWCA YEIP Stewardship Intern”
Closing date: February 16, 2010
Email: please write to the email address shown at the top and bottom of this posting

NCC is a non-profit, non-advocacy organization that takes a business-like approach to preserving Canada’s natural heritage. Our focus is on conservation through private action, and we have a strong track record of partnering with individuals, corporations, community groups, conservation groups and government bodies to create win-win solutions that benefit nature.