Current Employment Opportunities

Region: Ontario, based out of Ottawa, Peterborough, Guelph, Port Rowan or London
Position Title: CONSERVATION INTERN
Number of Positions: 2

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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 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 over the past 29 years to conserve many of our country’s most important natural places.

The Conservation Intern will assist in the implementation of the stewardship and management program for significant natural lands protected by NCC in Ontario, by working closely with NCC staff, partner conservation organizations, and local stewards and volunteers.

Shell Conservation Internship Program positions are open to university or college students in the environmental sciences or a related discipline (currently enrolled or graduated within the past six months); and applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.

Specific Responsibilities

• Site reconnaissance work, including baseline inventories and vegetation community classification;
• Compliance monitoring of conservation easements;
• Monitoring of biodiversity targets, threats, stewardship actions and anthropogenic features on NCC properties;
• Implementation of recommended stewardship and management actions on NCC properties, including, but not limited to, habitat restoration through planting and invasive species removal activities, rare species monitoring, Conservation Volunteers events, landowner contact and installing signage; and,
• Assistance in the development and writing of property management plans, easement monitoring reports, effectiveness monitoring reporting and other office duties as required

Skills and Abilities

This posting is targeted to students possessing the following skills:

• Experience/knowledge compiling information on natural areas, including assessments of natural and anthropogenic features, threats to biodiversity, etc.;
• Excellent plant, wildlife and vegetation community identification skills;
• Navigational skills including experience with field GPS unit, compass, and air photo interpretation
• Experience/knowledge implementing solutions to management issues on conservation lands;
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and under various weather conditions (e.g. temperature and precipitation extremes) and terrains
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Highly motivated, analytical and detail oriented; creative, pro-active thinker;
• Ability to work well within team structure;
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet software; experience with Sharepoint an asset;
• Demonstrated interest in environmental issues, preferably in natural history and land conservation;
• Valid class “G” driver’s license;
• Experience working with volunteers;
• Experience/knowledge of the Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario and Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre databases would be an asset.
• Up to date First Aid training is an asset

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time 16-week (Monday, April 30 – Friday, August 24, including 1 week unpaid holiday) position. Salary is $15.50/hour ($542.50/week).
• Positions are based out of either London, Port Rowan, Guelph, Peterborough or Ottawa, but will involve travel throughout southern Ontario. This requires the ability to travel to and into field sites and includes overnights away from the home city. Travel expenses will be reimbursed and personal vehicle is not required.

Applications

A cover letter (2-page maximum) should accompany resumes. Electronic submissions should include a cover letter and resume combined in one document.

Please reference position title: “Ontario – Conservation Intern”

Closing Date: Friday, February 24, 2012

Interested applicants should forward their cover letter and resume to:

Kristyn Ferguson
Stewardship Coordinator – Ontario Region
Email: kristyn.ferguson@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.