Current Employment Opportunities

Region: British Columbia, Victoria
Position Title: BRITISH COLUMBIA STEWARDSHIP PLANNING AND MAPPING INTERN
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.

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 which include ecological and covenant monitoring, baseline report preparation, mapping of biological communities and threats, and preparing and implementing property management plans and stewardship statements.

The Stewardship Planning and Mapping Intern will be assisting BC staff with a variety of the activities listed above to help the region meet its stewardship goals. The intern will also assist Summer Interns and the BC Stewardship department with basic GIS mapping. The intern will be involved in monitoring and inventory activities throughout the Central Interior, Okanagan and Coastal British Columbia. Some travel and independent fieldwork requires liaising with landowners, staff, volunteers and partner organizations.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Assist BC staff in order to meet Stewardship Performance Standards in the Central Interior, Okanagan, and South Coast of B.C which may include the following:
   • Conducting baseline inventory surveys and preparing Baseline Documentation Reports for NCC properties, including topography, species, hydrologic features, boundaries, current uses, potential threats, etc.;
   • Preparing Property Management Plans and Interim Stewardship Statements according to NCC protocols;
   • Reviewing project background materials, and conducting research to complete and inform reports;
   • Assisting with monitoring surveys and preparing 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;
   • Working with interns and BC staff to create maps for stewardship documents using standard methods and templates using ArcGIS.
   • Corresponding and working collaboratively with landowners, stakeholders, partner groups, volunteers, BC Regional Staff, the Director of land Stewardship and other parties as required;
   • Undertaking independent fieldwork, GPS mapping, and photo monitoring.
   
   
2. 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 students possessing the following skills:

• Ability to work as part of a team
• An understanding of land use planning;
• Able to follow directions, including protocols and field methods;
• Good time management skills, attention to detail;
• Able to work independently in the field;
• 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 BC’s biogeoclimatic zones;
• Familiarity with B.E.C. system, T.E.M. mapping, Describing Ecosystems in the Field, site interpretation, photopoint monitoring and GPS mapping;
• Intermediate GIS mapping skills using an ArcGIS platform;
• Strong computer skills associated with database management, and report writing, including familiarity with Abode Creative Suite;
• Backcountry travel skills;
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time 16 week (May 10th to August 30, 2010) position. Salary is $18/hour ($630/week).
• This position is based in Victoria, but requires the ability to travel throughout the Central Interior, Okanagan, and Coastal BC. Extended overnight stays may be required. The selected individual should be prepared to travel throughout BC using his/her personal vehicle.  Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Applications

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume (as word documents) and e-mail them to:

Director of Land Stewardship
B.C. Region, The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Reference position title: “Planning and Mapping 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.