Ontario Birds, Field Biology

Position: Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Field Biologist
Organization: Birds Canada
Location: Ontario. This role is both in-person (field season) and remote (pre/post-season). Throughout the field season, accommodations will be primarily in tents, camping. 

Are you looking to channel your skills into meaningful, energizing work that will directly contribute to protecting our natural world? Do you want to work with an exceptional group of passionate and caring colleagues?

Birds Canada is the country’s premier national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Every day, our thousands of caring donors, 100+ dedicated staff, and 70,000+ outstanding volunteers are taking action to help us better understand, appreciate, and conserve birds and their habitats. Together, we are Canada’s Voice for Birds – will you join us?

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Field Biologist for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas will supervise a small team (1-3 Field Technicians) in the field to collect data on the occurrence, breeding behaviour and abundance of birds in the region. Project staff will be required to travel by vehicle, by foot, and in some instances by bicycle, often in very remote areas both individually and in small teams. Accommodations will be primarily in tents, camping throughout the field season. Field Biologists must be comfortable spending long periods of time outdoors in hot/adverse/buggy weather conditions, waking up very early to get to survey sites, engaging with the public, carrying equipment, and bushwhacking to get to sites. Staff will spend extended periods of time in the field, enter their own data, and will write reports on their observations. The Field Biologist will be responsible for day-to-day survey and task planning, continued training and support of the field crew, and daily communication with the Project Manager on behalf of the team. Outside the field season, the position will be remote and require access to stable power and internet connection during standard office hours (9-5 EST). Pre and post-season work will involve supporting Atlas activities and planning, and other project tasks, as requested.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

This fixed term 21-week role reports to the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Project Manager and is both in-person (field season) and remote (pre-/post-season). Anticipated start date for this role is April 7, 2025. The Field Biologist may be responsible for arranging their own travel to meet up with their assigned team at the beginning of the field season, and will be expected to work and live in a remote, communal environment. The role involves a higher demand of physical, visual, auditory, and concentration effort than what would generally be considered typical due to the nature of the field work and shared accommodations.

These positions will be directly hired by either Birds Canada or Ontario Nature, so candidates should be willing to work for either organization upon being selected. Longer contracts may be available beginning in April and extending to the end of August, in an as-needed role, assisting with data summary/analysis, or other vegetation, fish and wildlife surveys.

We welcome applications from all candidates with the required qualifications and skills to apply to the position(s). However, please note that preference may be given to those who meet the Canada Summer Jobs eligibility criteria.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: $22.93 - $23.67 per hour commensurate with previous experience for an approximately 40-hour work week. Birds Canada offers all staff the equivalent of 20 vacation and 12 Personal Health Days per year, which will be prorated according to contract start date and duration. This position also includes a modest food budget and predetermined accommodation (campsites, primarily) depending on survey locations during the entire field season.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in planning field season logistics
• Organize and maintain field equipment
• Train, manage, and direct Field Technicians
• Plan day-to-day activities and communicate with the Project manager when required
• Survey for breeding birds following standardized protocols
• Data management and entry
• Report on field observations
• Contribute to data summaries, analyses and reporting, where requested
• Other duties and tasks, as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Excellent knowledge of Ontario birds, including the ability to identify birds by sight and sound
• Advanced map-reading, navigating and GPS skills
• Good observation and note-taking skills
• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work and live in a remote, communal environment as a part of a small team
• Self-initiative and high level of motivation and energy
• Valid Ontario driver’s license (G preferred, G2 accepted), with clean record
• Valid First Aid Certification (obtained before contract start date

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Although not required, some candidates may be in the process of, or have already completed, a B.Sc. or Diploma in biology or ecology or an equivalent wildlife-related program. Relevant experience or other informal and formal education/training are equally considered.
• 1-2 years of experience conducting point counts and/or surveying birds using other sampling techniques
• At least 1 year of experience leading field work and supervising staff for avian surveys
• Experience and enthusiasm for camping and living/working in remote areas

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume along with a covering letter outlining how your experience makes you the perfect candidate for this role via the Birds Canada Online Job Portal by 5pm EST on January 24th, 2025.

Please mention you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Early applications are encouraged. Birds Canada will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Also hiring: Field Technicians

At Birds Canada, we are committed to fostering a culture that values Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation, and Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, as integral approaches that shape all that we do in our organization and for nature (read our full commitment to inclusion at this LINK). We oppose prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination, and aim to ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences feel a sense of belonging and can participate in protecting wild birds and their habitats.

We are actively seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, and/or who have a disability, are therefore welcome to mention this in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.