Current Employment Opportunities

Region: Québec
Position Title: ST. LAWRENCE VALLEY STEWARDSHIP 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 2012, engage 20 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 St. Lawrence Valley Stewardship Intern will assist with the orientation and training of other Quebec SCIP interns and with the implementation of stewardship activities for natural areas protected by NCC in the St. Lawrence Valley, more precisely within the Richelieu Watershed, the Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River areas, but also in the Northern Green Mountains region. Alongside NCC staff based in Montreal, the Intern will help with the compliance and effectiveness monitoring of properties protected by NCC in these areas, and conduct ecological inventories. The Intern will also assist with species-at-risk recovery projects and provide support for the Conservation Volunteers program. This internship will give the intern the opportunity to gain experience in private land conservation in Quebec, particularly with respect to the stewardship of private natural areas, and to further their knowledge of habitats and species-at-risk in the region at hand.

Specific Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Western Quebec Assistant Director, the Intern shall have the following responsibilities:

• Participate in field visits to targeted sites to conduct annual compliance and effectiveness monitoring;
• Perform ecological inventories of NCC properties, conservation servitudes, or priority conservation sites;
• Assist in the preparation of property management plans;
• Plan and participate in priority stewardship activities with local groups;
• Participate in the coordination and implementation of the Conservation Volunteer program and other volunteer activities, including facilitation of the SOS Turtles stewardship program and field support;
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the assistant director.

Skills and Abilities

This posting is targeted to recent graduates possessing the following skills:

• Recent university graduates with a biology, environmental science or equivalent experience;
• Demonstrated interest in natural history, ecology and land conservation;
• Excellent fauna and flora identification skills for Southern Quebec areas;
• French language essential, English an asset;
• Ability to work independently and harmoniously with a team;
• Ability to use a GPS;
• Map reading skills to find and navigate wild areas;
• Familiarity with common computer software (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics programs), GIS skills a plus;
• Strong communication and report writing skills, including the ability to interact with the public to convey a conservation message;
• Coordination and leadership skills, with experience in the implementation of short training programs;
• Knowledge of NCC process and of Shell Conservation Internship Program (an asset);
• Valid driver’s licence.

Terms of Employment

• This is a full-time 24-week salaried position with one week’s unpaid vacation time (April 30th to October 12th). Salary is $17/hour ($595.00/week).
• This position is based in the Montreal office, but may require travelling to other NCC sites.
• Some overnight stays may be required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Applications

Interested applicants should forward their cover letter and resume to:

Christian Duchesne
Western Quebec Assistant Director
Nature Conservancy of Canada

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.