Fall Field Technician 2023
Employer: Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI)
Position Title: Field technician
Number of positions: 1
Location: Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute 9 Mount Merritt Rd, Kempt, Queens County, Nova Scotia B0T 1B0
Anticipated Duration: 2 months with the start & end date to be determined. Start date preferably early September or as soon as possible. Possibility of extension.
Wage Information: $18/hr
Hours of Work: 35 hrs/wk including weekends
Position Summary:
The Field Technician will help Project Leads with fieldwork focused on ecological sampling and data collection primarily in Queens and Annapolis Counties but may extend across southwest Nova Scotia. Field work will consist of monitoring, surveying, and assisting with recovery efforts for species at risk. The technician may also be involved with organizing and attending public outreach programs (e.g., events, seminars, social media) and working with partner organizations, volunteers, and private landowners.
The focus of this position will be on assisting field work for our reptile projects including turtle hatchling emergence and snake surveys. The Field Technician will be involved in daily checks of Blanding’s Turtle nests for emergence of hatchlings and radiotracking of Eastern Ribbonsnakes daily movements. Additional projects may also include but are not limited to surveying and monitoring bats roosts, documenting native milkweed patches, forested wetland inventories, woodland biodiversity, and old-growth forest surveys.
The position will be based at MTRI’s research station in Kempt, NS, with regular in-person working hours from Monday to Friday for 35 hours per week. Some fieldwork will involve working outside of regular hours, including occasional long field days and possible regular weekend fieldwork.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The role of Field Technician is to assist with field, office and outreach activities led by Project Leads while working closely with partner organizations and volunteers. The intern will regularly conduct fieldwork at wetlands, lakes, forests, and other habitats. Alongside field work, the intern will assist with office work across multiple projects. The intern will report to and work closely with the Species at Risk Program Coordinator to:
- Conduct a variety of hands-on field work (data collection, use of field equipment, wildlife handling) within a team related to biodiversity conservation including but not limited to surveys targeting species at risk (e.g., snakes, turtles), wetlands, old-growth forests and other habitats and species.
- Independently complete office tasks related to field work such as data entry, proofing, and management, online research, equipment preparation & organization.
- Assist with outreach on projects to the public via seminars, events, landowner & volunteer engagement as well as group presentations.
- Conduct daily office tasks such as talking to visitors, visiting researchers, answering the phone, bringing facilities and personnel issues to the attention of Office Manager.
Qualifications/Skills:
The ideal candidate will:
- Have experience conducting fieldwork and/or educational background in conservation biology or related field
- Have an aptitude for multi-tasking in a busy work environment
- Be able to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback and have great interpersonal skills
- Be able to complete assigned tasks independently
- Have demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental sector is considered an asset
- Be willing to work regular business hours in addition to occasional long days, evenings and weekends
- Adhere to safe work practices and be comfortable working outside in various, sometimes challenging settings and weather conditions
- Possess basic computer skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Possess first aid certification (not required) or be willing to take a first aid certificate
- Have a valid driver’s license (not required but highly recommended)
The Field Technician will be trained in wildlife handling, species identification, canoeing and wilderness navigation as required. As well as develop their leadership, project management, research, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Any prior experience or demonstration of these skills is not required but considered an asset. Aspects of the job will be physically challenging with outdoor field work such as hiking, canoeing, and carrying field equipment. Project work will occur regularly outside in challenging conditions (near and in water, various weather, regular presence of ticks and other biting insects). Some field work may involve long or difficult hikes and/or travel by canoe.
Application Process, Requirements & Considerations:
Please send your application (cover letter, resume) as one document to jobs@merseytobeatic.ca by September 8, 2023. We ask you to include the dates of your availability for this position.
Depending on the COVID19 response level during the position, low-cost, dorm-style accommodation may be available at MTRI’s field station. Please note that the MTRI office field station is in a remote, rural area with limited access to amenities. Basic necessities can be acquired in Caledonia with larger stores and amenities available in Bridgewater, Annapolis Royal and Liverpool. There is no public transportation in Caledonia.