Aquatic Ecology Student at Royal Botanical Gardens

, , -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

16 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

16 Dec, 25

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Ecosystem Monitoring Techniques, Water Quality Testing, Habitat Assessment, Biological Sampling, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Data Handling, Statistical Summary, Local Geography, Basic Hydrology, Aquatic Flora Identification, Aquatic Fauna Identification, Conservation Initiatives, Environmental Stewardship, Data Collection, Scientific Data Analysis

Industry

Travel Arrangements

Description

Located at the head of Lake Ontario and within the municipalities of Burlington and Hamilton, Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada and one of the nation’s earliest nature sanctuaries. Comprising some 2200 acres of protected wetlands, botanical collections, parkland and display gardens, and within easy access of millions of nature-starved urban citizens, RBG dedicates its expertise in horticulture, conservation, science and education to connect people, plants and place for the purpose of nurturing and preserving healthy growing life on our planet. RBG directs its efforts, and seeks the support of individuals and organizations, to realize its vision of a world in which everyone is awake to the beauty, diversity and necessity of plants, and from that consciousness more actively works together to protect and preserve plant species and habitats and, by extension, our planet. The primary objective of the wetlands program is the restoration of the coastal marshes within RBG lands as part of the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan. Positions Available: 1 Duration: May 4, 2026 – September 4, 2026 Responsibilities * Participate in various non-native species control programs and assist with the seasonal operation of the Cootes Paradise Fishway, ensuring the effective management of invasive fish species. * Assist with wetland restoration projects, including the planting and maintenance of emergent plant species to improve habitat quality. * Contribute to ongoing population monitoring efforts for aquatic plant species, fish populations, and water quality, ensuring accurate and consistent data collection. * Assist in the collection, recording, and analysis of scientific data, adhering to established protocols and ensuring data integrity. * Operate specialized equipment such as boats, electrofishers, seine nets, secchi discs, and YSI meters for field sampling and monitoring activities. * Communicate with the public about conservation initiatives, raising awareness and promoting the importance of environmental stewardship and habitat restoration efforts. Qualifications * Demonstrates knowledge of various ecosystem monitoring techniques for aquatic systems, including water quality testing, habitat assessment, and biological sampling. * Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access for data entry, analysis, and reporting. * Possesses basic data handling and statistical summary abilities, including organizing datasets and interpreting trends. * Knowledgeable in local geography, basic hydrology, and identification of aquatic flora and fauna. * Demonstrates awareness of the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan, including its goals, implementation strategies, and ecological significance. Working Conditions * 35-hour week with flexibility to work longer days into the evening or weekends and some holidays shifts. * Physically demanding work, outdoors in all weather conditions. * Primarily work is conducted from boats/ canoes and in-water wearing chest waders. * Repetitive motions including but not limited to walking, standing, lifting, bending. Eligibility In order to be eligible for the position the applicant must meet the following criteria: * Legally entitled to work in Canada. * For grant eligibility purposes applicants are required to be under age 30. * Be able to start May 4, 2026. RBG has committed to becoming a fully sustainable and ecologically restorative organization. This is an integral part of our culture, and we require all our employees to assist us with this goal by committing to make the best ecological decisions possible in the execution of their responsibilities, keeping in mind the possible effects these decisions may have on both the human and natural environments both now, and into the future. Please submit applications to www.rbg.ca/careers [http://www.rbg.ca/careers] by January 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Please submit your cover letter and resume as one pdf file saved using the naming convention of your first then last name and position title (e.g Jane Smith Garden Interpreter.pdf). RBG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians Act. We thank all applicants however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our recruitment process, ensuring efficiency and fairness. AI helps us review applications consistently, match skills to job requirements, and streamline communication. All decisions are guided by human oversight to uphold our commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. If you have questions about the use of AI in this process, feel free to contact hr@rbg.ca [hr@rbg.ca].

Responsibilities

The Aquatic Ecology Student will participate in non-native species control programs and assist with wetland restoration projects. They will also contribute to population monitoring efforts and communicate with the public about conservation initiatives.