Location: Denman Island, near Courtenay/Comox, Vancouver Island, BC

As this position is being funded through a Science Horizon’s grant the candidate must be 30 years of age or younger at time of hiring, must be unemployed or underemployed in their scientific field of study, must not have participated in another federal youth employment program.

The Ministry of Environment, B.C, (MOE) Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) and the Taylor’s Checkerspot Community Working Group (TCCWG) recognize the urgent need to recover Taylor’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) in Canada. The Taylor’s Checkerspot is Red-listed in B.C., assessed as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife (COSEWIC) and listed under Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act and globally imperilled. The MOE, WPC, TCCWG, Taylor’s Checkerspot Conservation Breeding Facility – Management Committee (TCCBF-MC) are collaborating with Peter Karsten, TCCBF Manger to develop and maintain a TC captive rearing project to propagate TCs for the augmentation of wild populations. The MOE and WPC hold MOUs and partnership agreements with Peter Karsten. WPC is providing funding for a research assistant to support the TCCBF with husbandry research in 2015.

Qualifications:

A minimum of 2 years post secondary education in biological science or related sciences
Experience in the care and management of invertebrates or other small vertebrate species in an ex situ breeding program.
Knowledge of butterflies and their life cycles.
Field experience in monitoring insects.
Ability to identify project related host plants.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and problem solving skills with minimal supervision.
Ability to work in a team structure (incuding volunteers).
Valid Class 5 BC drivers’ licence and willing to provide a driver’s abstract
Valid OFA level 1 First Aid or equivalent is desirable.
Willing to work flexible hours to maximise days and hours of sunshine which are critical for surveys and captive breeding procedures.
Public relations experience.

Skills:

Competent in operating, managing, and downloading research, GPS and digital camera data.
Ability to carry out laboratory hygiene procedures.
Ability to use entomological collection tools, including aerial netting and collecting specimens for deposition within a museum.
Must have basic butterfly, and other invertebrate identification skills and be willing to expand this knowledge base on a daily basis.
Must be able to collect live butterfly and larvae specimens and record field data according to protocols.
Knowledge of plants and plant propagation is a strong asset.
Habitat assessment skills an asset.
Microsoft Office computer skills are required.
Use of microscope skills are an asset.
Physical fitness at a level required to complete field work under all weather conditions.
Work independently with minimal supervision.
Good interpersonal skills to work with volunteer groups.
Report writing including Blogs.
Public relations skills to organize outreach project.
Building maintenance skills.
Assistant may be asked to participate in peripheral property work to support the facility operation.

Job Description:

The primary assignment is to breed adults and rear larvae in ex situ facility
Extensive data collection and data base management work for all metamorphic stages.
Carry out routine cleaning procedures for the facilty and equipment.
Propagation of larval food and nectaring plants.
Participation in facility construction and maintenance.
Organize public outreach programs (community and local school).
Participate in a TC Private Landowner Stewardship Program.
Fieldwork: larval and adult and host plant surveys.
Possibly habitat stewardship/restoration work with volunteers in the Butterfly Reserve and/or on private lands.

Beyond daily care of a > 2000 specimen colony of Taylor’s Checkerspot and related host plants and the facility, the position includes field and laboratory work that contributes to various studies.

Remuneration:

Start date: ASAP
End date: 5 months from start day
Salary: $2,000/month plus living/travel allowance TBA.
Work hrs per week 40 allowing for flex time to vary number of hours per day to accommodate animal care demands. 5 days on and 2 days off as a rule.

Please submit resume and cover letter to Peter Karsten, Facility Manager:
pkarsten@telus.net