Current Employment Opportunities

Region: British Columbia, Darkwoods Project
Position Title: DARKWOODS STEWARDSHIP INTERN
Number of Positions: 1

View PDF of this Job Description

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.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada protects critical natural areas of ecological importance in British Columbia. NCC BC is responsible for the stewardship of over 182,500 acres of habitat, including 23 conservation covenants. Interns play an integral role in stewarding these properties by assisting BC staff with stewardship activities.

The Darkwoods Stewardship Intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks primarily on NCC's Darkwoods property in the Selkirk Mountains of the West Kootenays, including, but not limited to: biodiversity monitoring, the collection and analysis of field data, management and stewardship of NCC properties throughout out the region, and working collaboratively with a variety of partners, stakeholders and the general public.

Specific Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze and maintain field data for biodiversity monitoring and assessment of NCC properties in the Canadian Rockies region including field based mapping;


• Assist NCC regional staff and contractors with:
  • Wildlife habitat assessment,
  • Potential Mountain caribou habitat restoration,
  • Hydro-riparian and wetland mapping and ground-truthing,
  • Photo-monitoring of representative, sensitive and rare ecosystem, and
  • Noxious weed inventory and control,
  • Other stewardship tasks as required.


• Liaise with NCC's Director of Stewardship, Canadian Rocky Mountains Program Manager, and South Selkirks Project Manager as well as other contractors as required;


• Participate in the Shell Conservation Internship Program activities as directed by the Lead Stewardship Intern:
  • Prepare materials and participate in a conference for the Shell Conservation Internship Program;
  • Submit photographs and stories as requested by the Lead Stewardship Intern or other NCC staff in a timely manner; and
  • Prepare a final report discussing your experience as a Shell Conservation Intern.

Skills and Abilities

This posting is targeted to applicants possessing the following skills:

• Able to work independently and in team environments;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated careful and meticulous research abilities;
• Experience with management planning, integrated resource management, ecosystem management, protected areas design, research, reporting, botany (plant identification), plant community interpretation, ecosystem mapping, cartography, air-photo interpretation, and surveying;
• Familiarity with the plants, plant communities and associated biodiversity of the Canadian Rockies Ecoregion and Interior Hemlock zone in particular;
• Familiarity with B.E.C. system, T.E.M. mapping, Describing Ecosystems in the Field, and site interpretation;
• Computer skills associated with mapping and writing. Particularly important are GPS skills and ArcMap skills;
• Backcountry travel skills;
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time 16-week (May 10 – August 27th 2010) position. Salary is $18.00/hour ($630/week).
• The selected individual must be prepared to travel throughout BC on resource roads using his/her personal vehicle, with reimbursements for travel expenses.
• The selected individual must be physically fit, and prepared to camp for short durations in remote locations.

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 Darkwoods Intern”
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.