Field Operations Lead - South Coast Conservation Land Management

at  Ducks Unlimited Canada

Position Details: Full-Time, Permanent, Existing Vacancy
Salary Range: $53,500-$66,900, based on a 35-hour work week. Salary for this position will be commensurate with each individual’s education and/or experience as it relates to the position.
Location: Surrey, BC (Hybrid)
Closing Deadline: July 7, 2024 (11:59 PM EDT)

WHO WE ARE

The South Coast Conservation Land Management Program (SCCLMP) is a formal partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC); the Nature Trust of British Columbia; the Province of BC’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS); and the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment and Climate Change Canada. The primary purpose of SCCLMP is to conserve and manage over 37,000 hectares of provincially designated conservation lands throughout the BC South Coast Region for the benefit of regionally to internationally significant fish and wildlife species, including species and ecosystems at risk.
As an employee of DUC, the SCCLMP Field Operations Lead position will be part of one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations, comprised of a community of passionate people who believe that nature is the foundation of strong communities, a prosperous economy and a sustainable future that supports the hopes and dreams of the next generation. Together, we conserve and restore some of the most valuable and threatened landscapes on the planet.

REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor’s degree specializing in the conservation or management of fish, wildlife, or ecosystems with a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in conservation, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s License and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain one).
• Experience identifying and managing invasive plants found throughout the BC South Coast.
• Experience working in remote areas and willingness to work in adverse weather and environmental conditions.
• A positive attitude, constant desire to learn, ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a focus on quality, and ability to work independently with little supervision in addition to team settings.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; ability to write in both technical and plain language styles.
• Experience with data management and proficiency using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, and proficiency using maps, GPS units, tablets, and GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, Google Earth).
• Experience with light construction projects and ability to carry loads up to 25 kg.
• Experience with a diversity of habitats including wetlands, forests and/or agricultural areas is an asset.
• Membership or Eligibility for Membership in the College of Applied Biologists is an asset.
• Pesticide Applicator’s Certificate for Industrial Vegetation and Noxious Weeds (or willingness to obtain one) is an asset.

This position will coordinate and execute fieldwork associated with the management of provincial conservation areas within the BC South Coast region. During the summer, this position will supervise a small seasonal field crew; throughout the rest of year, responsibilities will include independent, project-based field work and a variety of office-based functions including planning, coordination, data management, grant writing and reporting.

Under the direction of the SCCLMP Coordinator, the Field Operations Lead will have the following responsibilities:

• Lead and conduct operational activities including maintenance of trails, signs, infrastructure, and habitat structures; property inspections; debris removal; and reporting of land management issues.
• Lead and conduct invasive species management activities including surveying and monitoring invasive species, applying chemical and mechanical control treatments, and managing invasive species data using FieldMaps and InvasivesBC.
• Supervise and coordinate seasonal field crew, including hiring, scheduling work tasks and upholding safety and human resource policies and standards.
• Assist with activities in support of restoration and research projects, such as the Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project , Forslund-Watson Wetland Restoration, Nature Force volunteer events, and Coastal Dune Ecosystem research project.
• Identify priority restoration projects through consultation with partners, review of spatial data, and-on-the ground assessments.
• Assist the SCCLMP Coordinator with development of funding proposals to implement restoration, inventory and monitoring actions as identified above.