Current Employment Opportunities

Region: Manitoba
Position Title: MANITOBA REGIONAL SUMMER STEWARDSHIP INTERN
Number of Positions: 2

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The Shell Conservation Internship Program (SCIP) 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 2012, 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 for the past 29 years to conserve many of our country’s most important natural places.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada protects critical natural areas of ecological importance through land securement and stewardship. NCC Manitoba has identified 8 Natural Areas – Tall Grass Prairie, Riding Mountain Aspen Parkland, Whitemouth River Watershed, Oak Lake Sandhills and Wetland, West Souris Mixed-Grass Prairie, Souris River Valley Grassland, Turtle Mountain Woodland and Wetland and Interlake to focus our conservation work. NCC Manitoba is responsible for the stewardship of over 46,000 acres of habitat, including 50 conservation agreements and 103 properties that we own.

Shell Interns will play an integral role in stewarding the NCC properties by assisting Manitoba staff with several stewardship activities, including ecological monitoring, baseline report preparation, mapping of biological communities and threats, and the implementation of property management plan recommendations. Extensive travel and independent fieldwork requires liaising with landowners, staff, volunteers and partner organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement monitoring protocols to measure the effectiveness of stewardship activities, including vegetation community condition assessments, Pasture health assessments and Riparian health inventory in all Natural Areas to guide the implementation and development of Interim Stewardship Statements and Property Management Plans; 
• Verify and standardize vegetation community types previously mapped in a GIS database for NCC lands in the Riding Mountain Aspen Parkland , Whitemouth River Watershed and Oak Lake Sandhills and Wetland Natural Areas; 
• Complete surveys to document the distribution of leafy spurge and key invasive plant species in south western Manitoba Natural Areas;
• Classify and map the extent and condition of globally imperilled alvar sites within the Interlake Natural Area.
• Conduct a survey to determine the extent and condition of native grasslands and calcareous fens in the Riding Mountain Aspen Parkland Natural Area; and
• Prepare Baseline Documentation Reports and Baseline Inventory Reports for NCC properties using NCC’s Land Information System (LIS) in all Natural Areas.

Skills and Abilities

• University graduate from a Natural Sciences Program; with a focus on biology, ecology, environmental studies or closely related field. Preference may be given to candidates with a Master’s Degree related to the position;

• 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, scientific papers, monitoring protocols and presentations
• Proficient in computer usage, including data entry, statistical analysis, Internet and MS Office applications.
• Experience with ESRI GIS software;
• Analytical, and detail orientated, creative, proactive thinker;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently (with attention to detail), seek assistance and input as required, and to work on interdisciplinary teams;
• Self motivated, superior time management skills, ability to work to meet deadlines;
• Supervisory and project management experience is preferred;
• Excellent communication , interpersonal and technical writing skills;
• Strong interest in the environmental field and the vision and mission of NCC;
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence, with access to vehicle; and
• Able to work under adverse climatic conditions

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time 24 week (May 2 to October 14, 2011) position. Salary is $17/hour ($595/week, based on a 35 hr work week).
• This position is based in Winnipeg, but requires the ability to travel throughout southern Manitoba. Extended overnight stays are required frequently. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Applications

Interested applicants should forward their cover letter and resume as soon as possible to:

Julie Pelc, Manager of Stewardship Programs
Manitoba Region, The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Reference position title: “Manitoba Region Shell Conservation Intern”
Email: julie.pelc@natureconservancy.ca
Phone: 204-942-6053 or 1-866-683-6934
Closing date: February 24, 2012

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.