Seasonal – April 28th, 2025 to August 29th, 2025 (18 Weeks)
This is a Summer Student Position. The Assistant will work primarily with the Wetland Biologist on the Durham Region Coastal Wetland Monitoring Project.
The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) is seeking to fill the position of Wetland Monitoring Assistant. The Assistant will work primarily with the Wetland Biologist on the Durham Region Coastal Wetland Monitoring Project.
Responsibilities:
The field component of this position involves canoeing, wading through wetlands in chest waders (conditions can be hot and buggy) and hiking through dense vegetation. The assistant will aid in the completion of bird surveys using Marsh Monitoring Protocols, the collection of water quality measurements, the completion of submerged aquatic vegetation surveys, and fish habitat and population assessments. Additional work may include Ecological Land Classification fieldwork and assisting other summer staff with monitoring various aquatic and terrestrial biological communities. The employee must comply with CLOCA’s Health & Safety Policy.
The work will be primarily in the field (approximately 70%) with the remaining time spent on various duties in the office (e.g., data entry). Field work will involve some physically demanding tasks, e.g., electrofishing, assisting to carry a canoe, balancing in a boat while collecting samples, bird monitoring, carrying equipment, working in waders, walking on rough terrain trails etc. The wetland monitoring assistant will be comfortable working around water, in inclement weather, extreme temperatures and around insects. Office work will consist primarily of data entry using Microsoft Office products (i.e. Word, Excel and Access) and ArcMap. The assistant will conduct themselves in an appropriate manner suitable for an office environment.
Qualifications:
The following are mandatory:
· University or college student specializing in biology/ecology/environmental science
· Experience completing fieldwork and using field equipment
· Experience collecting water quality measurements
· Canoeing experience
· Ability to complete a variety of monitoring tasks with minimal supervision
· Wetland plant identification skills
· Computer skills, including Microsoft Office software
· Pleasure Craft Operators Card
· Valid Ontario driver’s license
· Student must provide and wear green patch safety boots. Other required safety equipment as prescribed in the Health & Safety Manual is provided by the employer
The following are desirable, but not mandatory:
· Bird visual and/or auditory identification skills
· Fish identification and sampling skills
· Experience using a handheld GPS
· Current first aid/CPR certification
Given the physical requirements, operation of vehicles, including a motorized boat, using chemicals, balancing in a canoe and using electroshocking equipment in bodies of water, this job is deemed safety sensitive.
Essential Physical/Cognitive Core Requirements:
Physical: have sufficient strength, co-ordination, balance, and agility including movement of the neck, limbs, and trunk to walk to destinations, carry a canoe (50lbs + with co-worker), enter and steer a boat, climb in/out of a vehicle or boat, walk on docks, carry a backpack through trails, catch fish, and safely operate tools. Ability to lift up to 40lbs, bend to lift canoe overhead. Work in all weather conditions outdoors, able to wear bug resistant long sleeve/pants clothing & repellent.
Cognitive Alertness: must have clear thinking, perception, alertness, reaction time, judgement, and co-ordination necessary for the safe operation of the boats and other equipment used to complete the aquatic monitoring. Must have good judgement to assess weather conditions before entering body of water.
Vision:be able to see biological samples taken, forms, good peripheral vision, and depth perception for operating vehicles, use of equipment, and if required use of corrective lens while driving or boating.
Hearing: ability to hear all weather or animal approach alerts and if required use of hearing aids while operating equipment.
Medications:cannot be under the influence of medications or substances that could adversely affect vision, perception, alertness, reaction time, judgement and co-ordination, balance or any mental or physical abilities necessary for the safe operation of the boat, other motorized vehicles or equipment that can pose a safety risk to self or others.
Wages and Benefits:
Wage Rate per Hour: $20.85 per hour Hours per Week: 35
There is a possibility of occasional evening/weekend work.
Closing Date for Resumes: February 21, 2025
Apply Online
Or send cover letter and resume to:
Michael Grieve, Wetland Biologist
100 Whiting Avenue, Oshawa, ON L1H 3T3
Email: mgrieve@cloca.com, mgrieve@cloca.com
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted. Central Lake Ontario Conservation is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code. CLOCA will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. Personal information provided is collected under the authority of The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
