Current Employment Opportunities

Region: British Columbia, Central Interior, Okanagan, Southcoast of BC, with an emphasis on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands
Position Title: COVENANT MONITORING TECHNICIAN
Number of Positions: 1

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The Shell Conservation Internship Program is a partnership initiative between the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and Shell Canada Limited to provide university/college students with practical experience in the conservation field. Launched in 2002, the Shell Conservation Internship Program will, in 2010, engage students from across Canada in stewardship and management work on NCC properties, and in other career-related activities that advance the work of NCC. This partnership builds on the successful history of Shell Canada and NCC working together to conserve many of our country’s most important natural places.

Covenants (conservation easements) are use restrictions that landowners place on their properties through agreements with NCC, and are legally binding on present and future owners. In order to maximize the conservation value of the properties, the restrictions specify activities that may not occur (e.g., cutting trees and draining the land). For covenants to work effectively, annual monitoring of the covenant land is performed to ensure compliance with the agreement. The intern will perform these tasks throughout the Central Interior, Okanagan and Coastal British Columbia.

Specific Responsibilities

• Review covenant project background materials including: Baseline Documentation Reports, management plans, restoration plans, communications file, previous monitoring reports and maps.
• Conduct monitoring surveys and prepare monitoring reports in accordance with NCC’s protocols to ensure that the sites are continuing in their natural states in accordance with the terms of the legal agreements between the landowners and NCC;
• Correspond with landowners prior to and after monitoring site visits including follow-up of any covenant violations.
• Undertake independent fieldwork, GPS mapping, photo monitoring and report preparation, as well as liaison with NCC’s Director of Land Stewardship for the BC Region, other NCC staff, landowners and other land trusts throughout the region.

Skills and Abilities

This posting is targeted to students possessing the following skills:

• Able to work independently in isolated situations;
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Experience with botany (plant identification), geomorphology (terrain analysis), hydrology, wildlife identification, cartography, airphoto interpretation, and surveying;
• Knowledge of plants, plant communities, ecological processes and associated biodiversity of the Coastal Western Hemlock and Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zones;
• Familiarity with B.E.C. system, T.E.M. mapping, Describing Ecosystems in the Field, site interpretation, photopoint monitoring and GPS mapping;
• Strong computer skills associated with mapping and writing, database management, and report writing;
• Backcountry travel skills;
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time,16-week (May 10th –August 27th) position. Salary is $18.00/hour ($630/week).
• The selected individual must be prepared to travel throughout BC using his/her personal vehicle. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Applications

Interested applicants should forward their cover letter and resume to:

Director of Land Stewardship
B.C. Region, The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Reference position title: “BC Monitoring Technician”
Closing date: January 29, 2010
Email: bcstewardship@natureconservancy.ca

NCC is a non-profit, non-advocacy organization that takes a business-like approach to preserving Canada’s natural heritage. Our focus is on conservation through private action, and we have a strong track record of partnering with individuals, corporations, community groups, conservation groups and government bodies to create win-win solutions that benefit nature.