Assistant Conservation Biologist

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962 NCC and its supporters have protected 14 million hectares (35 million acres) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

Purpose and General Description

The Assistant Conservation Biologist will play an integral role in delivering Stewardship and Science in all 9 Natural Areas of the Manitoba Region – Tall Grass Prairie, Riding Mountain, Whitemouth River Watershed, Oak Lake Sandhills and Wetlands, West Souris Mixed-Grass Prairie, Souris River Valley Grassland, St Lazare Plain / East Parklands, Interlake and Assiniboine Delta to focus our conservation work.  

The Assistant Conservation Biologist will contribute to NCC’s work in Manitoba by assisting Stewardship and Science staff with several activities, including effectiveness monitoring, preparing baseline reports and Property Management Plans (PMPs), implementing priority PMP and Natural Area Conservation Plan (NACP) actions, development of grant proposals, entering data in the Land Information System (LIS) and Global information System (GIS) and conducting science projects.

Extensive travel and independent fieldwork requires liaising with landowners, staff, volunteers and partner organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Biological inventory, field data collection and annual monitoring (i.e., invasive species, rare plant and wildlife documentation, ecological community classification and condition assessments), data entry – LIS and GIS, photograph documentation, analysis and reporting required to implement Property Management Plans for NCC owned properties;
• Assist in the implementation and reporting of Effectiveness Monitoring Programs to track the viability of Biodiversity Targets and the effectiveness of conservation actions to abate threats at the property and Natural Area scale to guide property management;
• Conduct field work, data entry and analysis to develop Baseline Reports for NCC properties using LIS, GIS and NCC’s standardized reporting format in all Natural Areas;
• Assist in the development of conservation planning documents (eg. Property Management Plans, and Natural Area Conservation Plans) following NCC’s standardized report format;
• LIS and GIS data entry for previously surveyed NCC owned lands and Conservation Agreements in all Natural Areas;
• Conduct science research projects to answer key knowledge gaps;
• Assist in the development and coordination of grant proposals and reporting to funders;
• Assist with Conservation Volunteer Events in all Natural Areas; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Attributes

• University graduate from a Natural Sciences Program with a focus on biology, ecology, environmental studies or closely related field.  College Diploma and Certificate combined with experience post graduation will be considered.
• Knowledge of vegetation community types; prairie, forest and wetland ecology and ability to monitor ecological health;
• Experience in designing, implementing, analyzing and reporting on the effectiveness of land management/stewardship activities;
• Experience in collecting, organizing and analyzing natural resource data;
• Experience in developing technical reports, grant proposals, scientific papers, monitoring protocols and presentations;
• Proficient in computer usage, including data entry, statistical analysis, Internet and MS Office applications;
• Experience supporting active land management (livestock grazing, prescribed fire, haying, weed control) through monitoring;
• Analyzing, manipulating and interpreting data, including statistics, spreadsheet applications, GPS and ESRI/ArcGIS software (including ArcPad);
• Analytical and detailed oriented, creative, proactive thinker;
• Ability to work independently (with attention to detail), seek assistance and input as required, and to work on interdisciplinary teams;
• Experience managing, prioritizing and completing tasks independently and on schedule;
• Experience with project planning and management;
• Ability to take a project from background research to action in a short period of time;
• Self-motivated, superior time management skills, ability to meet deadlines;
• Strong communication, interpersonal and writing skills;
• Strong interest in the environmental field and the vision and mission of NCC;
• Wilderness or Standard First Aid Training;
• Valid Driver’s License, with ability to rent a car;
• Ability to work under adverse climatic conditions.

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time (37.5 hour/week), term position for approximately 6 months, ending May 31, 2020.  There is potential for the contract term to be extended depending on the availability of funding. 
• Salary - $19.80/hour.
• This can be a physically demanding job, requiring long days hiking on NCC properties – sometimes in inclement weather and through various terrains.
• This position is based in Winnipeg or Brandon but requires the ability to travel throughout southern Manitoba.  Extended overnight stays are required frequently.  Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

To Apply

Please submit cover letter and resume to manitoba@natureconservancy.ca by Friday, November 22, 2019.

We thank everyone who applies for their interest in the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

For positions situated in Ontario:
At the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) we strive to promote diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
NCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, we will provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform Human Resources staff of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require.