Job Description
The Forest Fire and Wind Energy Assessment Technician will support the Conservation Biologist and Principal on Blazing Star Environmental’s projects with a focus on fieldwork, the associated data entry, and report writing. This position will include post-construction monitoring, environmental impact studies, biological research, and inventories, interacting with clients, and working as part of a team.
Specific Responsibilities
Assist with post-construction and post forest fire assessment of habitat and wildlife surrounding a wind energy facility
Input data recorded in the field into spreadsheets and databases
Communicate with partner organizations and clients
Gather data from various sources to input into mapping software and complete GIS analyses
Compile results into final reports for clients
Assist with environmental impact studies
Assist with Ecological Land Classification
Conduct biological surveys for species at risk (including breeding bird surveys)
Conduct ecological surveys for Blanding’s turtle, massasauga and western chorus frog (including capture and handling)
Lead a team to effectively complete fieldwork
Assist with educational hikes and presentations to the public
Required Skills
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Attention to detail
Knowledge of forestry and wind energy impacts on the natural environment
Knowledge of biology and ecology including conservation biology, biodiversity and species at risk issues
Knowledge of Ontario’s birds, plants and/or herpetofauna, including species identification and ecology
Good organizational and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently, as part of a team and to collaborate with multiple partners
Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word
Willingness to safely work in cold water for extended periods when conducting herpetofauna surveys
Willingness to work long days and weekends when conducting fieldwork or outreach activities
Willingness to regularly travel throughout southern Ontario for fieldwork and outreach
Have a valid G-class Ontario driver’s license
Be legally entitled to work in Canada
Beneficial Attributes
Certification or experience in Ontario Wetland Evaluation System
Certification or experience in Ecological Land Classification
Ability to complete environmental impact studies
Knowledge of GIS mapping software (QGIS or ARCGIS preferred) and Microsoft Access
Experience capturing and handling animals
Experience working with venomous snakes
Knowledge of fish, bats or invertebrates
Potential Learning Opportunities
Experience conducting a reptile mark-recapture study
Experience conducting Ecological Land Classification
Experience writing a property management plan
Experience creating formal bids for environmental consulting projects
Experience writing government grants
Certification from the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Survey Course
The successful candidate must be eligible for Career Launcher internship (https://careerlauncher.ca/about/)
How to Apply
E-mail your resume, eligibility checklist and 1-page cover letter to Monique Aarts by 11:59 pm on Sept. 16, 2020. Please include Forest Fire and Wind Energy Assessment Technician in the subject line.
In your cover letter, please include your responses to the Eligibility Checklist (see below).
Monique Aarts
Conservation Biologist
Blazing Star Environmental
104 McLaughlin Blvd.
Oshawa, ON, L1G 2P3
519-709-9873
info@blazingstar.ca
http://www.blazingstar.ca