The Fraser Valley Conservancy (FVC) is accepting applications from qualified candidates for our Science Horizons Intern position. The intern will be working on the first year of a three-year project with great opportunities for growth and project development in future years.

We are looking for a flexible, curious, independent and personable employee who can grow into project management roles. The intern will work with a diversity of personalities in challenging conditions, and will need to be able to think on their feet. This is a fantastic position for an eager, energetic recent graduate with a strong interest in wildlife, plants, and field work. Days will be long, hot, cold, wet, muddy, and buggy. An optimistic attitude, good humor and laughter are crucial – must be able to rock a smile through bug hats! If wet, slimy and up to the shoulders in muck sounds like fun to you, please apply.

Description of Work:

Field duties in the early summer will include night-time turtle nesting surveys, bullfrog surveys and control programming, data entry and management, field equipment care and maintenance, etc. Late summer activities will include assisting in habitat construction projects and trapping turtles and amphibians. Fall activities will include planting at restoration sites and wrapping up summer projects. Winter months will be spent reporting on completed works, managing databases and developing project plans for upcoming seasons. Spring field work will include amphibian egg mass surveys and capture-mark-recapture field work. Training will be provided but the intern will then be expected to work independently approximately 30% of the time. Waders and field equipment will be provided.

As the summer field work will be mainly in the eastern Fraser Valley, the intern will be expected to stay in field accommodations while working in the area. The field work will be completed in all weather conditions, much of it at night in the early summer.

Applicants must be physically capable of performing physically demanding tasks such as walking long distances in mucky sites, paddling canoes and kayaks, lifting and transporting canoes and kayaks, carrying field equipment, etc.

The intern will be hired for 1576 hours (approximately 10 months) to work full-time (40 hours/week) on various species-at-risk projects in the Fraser Valley, from June 16th, 2014 to March 31st, 2015. Rate of pay will be $18.00 per hour.

Work Duties:

The intern will work with and be mentored by project biologists working towards the recovery of endangered wetland species in the Lower Mainland of BC. The intern will be assigned duties such as, but not limited to:

  • Invasive species control
  • Bullfrog control and monitoring
  • Trapping amphibians and reptiles
  • Western Painted turtle nest monitoring
  • Telemetry tracking of turtles and frogs
  • Data entry, data management, technical reporting and project planning
  • GIS mapping
  • Habitat restoration
  • Environmental monitoring of construction sites

Qualifications and Requirements:

This is a Science Horizons funded internship, therefore in order for an applicant to be considered they must meet the following criteria (these are non-negotiable):

  • Are aged 30 years or under as of June 16th, 2014
  • Have graduated from a university, college, post-secondary school of technology, post-secondary institution
  • Are legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian citizen, permanent Canadian resident status, hold a valid Canadian work permit to work on a full time basis, or granted refugee status in Canada)
  • Will not be in receipt of Employment Insurance during the internship
  • Will not be in school during the internship

In addition, we are looking for the following required skills and qualifications:

  • Environmental sciences degree
  • Minimum of two seasons’ experience in related field work (paid or volunteer); including monitoring methods, data collection, analysis and reporting
  • Knowledge of wetland ecology and species at risk issues
  • Local plant identification knowledge
  • GPS knowledge and basic mapping skills
  • Animal handling experience
  • High level of comfort working in remote areas in the presence of wildlife and livestock
  • Outstanding communications skills, verbal and written
  • Strong note-taking skills (attention to detail, legible handwriting)
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently
  • Access to a reliable personal vehicle to use for field work purposes (neither the office, nor the work sites are accessible via public transit)
  • Willing to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends, often outdoors under all weather conditions, and regularly staying overnight in field camps.

Additional qualifications that will be considered assets:

  • Knowledge of amphibian or reptile biology
  • GIS skills and experience
  • Good examples of completed field studies or monitoring reports
  • Experience coordinating field crews, students, and/or volunteers
  • Experience overseeing construction projects
  • Experience facilitating a wide range of stakeholders
  • Knowledge of species at risk and other sensitive ecological issues in the eastern Fraser Valley
  • Understanding of the agricultural sector
  • Canoeing or kayaking experience
  • Applicants with local knowledge and ties to the Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland will be preferred

To apply:

Submit a cover letter, which clearly outlines how you meet the above requirements, and corresponding resume to applications@fraservalleyconservancy.ca. Please ensure to include the position being applied for in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until 8:00 am Monday May 26th, interviews will be conducted May 28th and 29th. Only applicants short-listed for the interview process will be contacted.