Birds, Avian biology, field work jobs

Hiring: Wildlife Technician
Type: summer job (ages 15-30)
Organization: Birds Canada
Location: Vancouver, BC

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 technician will work with biologists in collecting field data related to bird species breeding at Iona Beach Regional Park in Vancouver, BC. The project is focused on Tree Swallows and the flying insects they feed on around the ponds at the park. The position is 90% outdoors and will involve a mix of working both with a small team of biologists, and working at times unsupervised in the field. The technician will also be responsible for working alongside field volunteers.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

This fixed term (10 week) role reports to the BC Projects Coordinator. The technician will be responsible for careful note taking throughout the field season, and helping to coordinate volunteer involvement in the study. Anticipated start date for this role is 21 April 2025.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$19.33 - $21.14 per hour commensurate with previous experience for an approximately 40-hour workweek. 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.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Daily checking of approximately 50 established nest boxes at the site to determine occupancy and nesting stage of Tree Swallows
• Conducting weekly point counts of swifts and swallows at three locations in the park
• Collecting flying insect samples every 2 days from 2-3 Malaise Traps in the park
• Sorting and identifying insects to Order of each sample taken from the traps
• Assisting in the trapping, processing and banding of adult Tree Swallows, alongside certified bird banders

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience and proficiency identifying and counting by sight birds in flight, particularly aerial insectivores
• Comfortable working alone outdoors for extended period
• Careful and accurate attention to data collection, entry, and management
• Strong communication skills for working effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and volunteers
• Meet Canada Summer Jobs requirements (be between 15 and 30 years old and be legally entitled to work in Canada)
• Access to his or her own transportation by car or bike to access the field site at Iona Beach Regional Park in Vancouver, BC is required (there is no regular train or bus available for this 7-km distance).

ASSETS

• Insect identification skills
• Bird handling/banding experience
• Valid First Aid and CPR C certification (obtained before contract start date)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• The successful candidate must have either completed or is enrolled in a Bachelors degree program at College or University
• The successful candidate will have experience working with birds in a field setting, preferably with aerial insectivores such as swallows or swifts

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 February 16th, 2025.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

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

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.