Nature & Wildlife Conservation, Stewardship

Title: Corridor Project Ecologist
Reports To: Conservation Director
Organization: Georgian Bay Land Trust
Location: Parry Sound and remote, Ontario (Massasauga to Pointe au Baril)
Duration: Full-time contract

Overview:

The Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) Corridor Project Ecologist is a full-time position that will be responsible for managing the monitoring and management of the new corridor project. This position reports to the Conservation Director but will focus on the stewardship of a matrix of corridors and ensure that they are monitored and managed effectively. The majority of the summer work will require being based around Parry Sound, including the communities of Pointe au Baril and Sans Souci, and the winter work will be done in GBLT’s Toronto office or remotely. Responsibilities would include:

• Annual monitoring of the target lands using both on foot, drone, or aerial imagery
• Ground-truthing of previously mapped disturbances
• Managing summer staff to ensure monitoring targets are achieved
• ELC classification of subject lands with emphasis on high detail ecosystem types
• Liaising with landowners, donors, and other stakeholders
• Assisting with other GBLT research and programs as necessary
• Managing, tracking, and reporting species and species at risk data

These positions will require knowledge of the Georgian Bay environment and will include training regarding the inventory work and survey protocols. It will require technical expertise, attention to detail, and the ability to work in small teams in remote locations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Corridor Monitoring

• Conduct annual monitoring of corridors using aerial imagery
• Conduct annual ground inspections and ELC ground-truthing
• Complete rotating ground inspections of all corridors
• Coordinate all monitoring and management activities
• Identify disturbances, verify disturbances in the field, and identify high-priority sites for human disturbances

2. Corridor Management

• Review, implement, and update existing corridor stewardship plan
• Coordinate volunteer stewards and summer staff to ensure adequate monitoring of all corridors throughout the year
• Enforce restrictions on subject lands if disturbances are noted
• Report and track monitoring and stewardship work

3. Other Conservation activities

• Assist with field monitoring of GBLT properties when time permits, including data collection, breeding bird surveys, reptile monitoring, etc.
• Provide support for research projects when time permits, including breeding bird surveys, coastal wetland monitoring, etc.
• Attend training with other GBLT staff on species identification, ecosystem classification, and other related activities
• Assist in grant applications for work to be undertaken on corridors

Skills & Aptitudes:

• Interest in the conservation of eastern Georgian Bay
• Familiar with environmental science and natural heritage
• Interest in and comfort around wildlife
• Experience, interest and/or abilities in field inventories, vegetation community classification, and field identification of birds and vascular plants
• Interest in outdoor recreation and familiarity with reading maps and working with GPS
• Familiarity with the ecosystem of Georgian Bay, as well as species assemblages
• Understand and be familiar with ArcGIS Pro
• Able to manage small teams of staff
• Able to work well in small groups to accomplish specific goals and tasks quickly and efficiently
• Must be prepared to work flexible hours, including some weekends
• Must be comfortable with daily boat travel, both canoe and motorboat, in a variety of weather
• A boater’s license and boating experience in Georgian Bay is beneficial
• Drone operator license also an asset
• Must be available to be near Parry Sound from May to October and willing to travel around the area
• Be familiar with and share the mission and objectives of the Georgian Bay Land Trust

Anticipated start date: Monday March 17, 2025

Salary: $55,000 - $65,000

Boat gas and expenses will be covered.

We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please forward your resume and cover letter in confidence by FEBRUARY 14, 2025 to hiring@gblt.org with the subject line Corridor Project Ecologist Application.

Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.