Shrike Recovery Field Interns (2)
Position: Shrike Recovery Field Intern (2)
Project: Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery
Location: Carden Alvar or Napanee Limestone Plain, Ontario
Type of Position: Full-time (40 hr/wk), temporary (16 weeks)
Rate of Pay: $1897 per month fixed salary, including 4% vacation pay (equivalent to $11.40/hr); a housing subsidy may be available if the candidate does not have local accommodation
Anticipated Start: 1 – 15 May 2017
Hours of Work: Flexible daily and weekly schedule to suit project needs and weather conditions. Working weekends will be required.
**NOTE: These positions are dependent on external funding, yet to be received by Wildlife Preservation Canada**
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Wildlife Preservation Canada is seeking two summer interns to assist with the implementation of the Loggerhead Shrike (LOSH) Recovery Program in Ontario. The Loggerhead Shrike is critically endangered with only 18 known pairs breeding in Ontario in 2016. The Carden and Napanee Alvars are the two core areas where LOSH continue to breed, though sightings still occur in Smiths Falls, Pembroke/Renfrew, Grey-Bruce and Manitoulin, and some work may occur in those regions. Wildlife Preservation Canada has been managing this unique recovery program since 2003; activities include wild population surveying and monitoring, captive breeding and release, and habitat stewardship.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Area Shrike Biologist, interns will be responsible for monitoring the wild population in their designated core area, and the care and soft-release of groups of captive-hatched juveniles (transferred to release sites from one of the program’s breeding facilities over July-August); this offers a unique opportunity to work first-hand with an endangered species and the chance to gain experience in animal care and population recovery techniques in a field setting.
Specific duties will include:
- Road-side and on-site (with prior permission) surveys to locate breeding pairs of LOSH
- Remote nest monitoring to determine nest productivity
- Identification and reporting of all colour banded LOSH
- Release site and enclosure preparation and maintenance
- Daily care and husbandry of captive young prior to release during July and August (behavioural observations and provision of live food)
- Care and maintenance of invertebrate food colonies (crickets and mealworms) and live mice
- Soft-release of young; post-release monitoring and supplemental feeding
- Release site and enclosure preparation and maintenance
- Data management and monthly reports
- Landowner communication and outreach
- Additional tasks as required
- The interns may also have the opportunity to assist with the banding of captive young and the attachment of remote tracking devices to a subset of young to be released.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Strong interest in biology, conservation, and research-based fieldwork.
- Ability to work professionally and safely in variable weather conditions with exposure to biting insects.
- Prior experience with bird monitoring/surveying.
- Experience with nest searching and colour band identification preferred, as is familiarity with call playback surveys.
- Previous bird handling and/or banding experience is an asset, as is prior experience with animal care/captive breeding.
- Able to navigate in the field using a map, compass, and GPS.
- Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to maintain positive relationships with private landowners.
- A valid driver’s license is required, and access to a vehicle for the duration of the contract is preferred.
- Willingness to live in rustic field quarters.
ELIGIBILITY
This position is dependent on funding by the Canada Summer Jobs program (not yet confirmed). Each intern must meet the following requirements to be eligible for this position:
- be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
- was registered as a full-time student during the preceding academic year, and intends to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent reside, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and
- be legally entitled to work according to the relevant Ontario legislation and regulations.
To apply please send a cover letter and resume to: Hazel Wheeler, Lead Biologist – Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery, hazel@wildlifepreservation.ca. Please submit your application as a single PDF or MS word file and include the email subject heading “Shrike Recovery Field Intern Application”. Application deadline is midnight (EST) 27 March 2017, however, applications will be assessed as they are submitted.=
Please note this position is only open to Canadian residents. We thank all who apply, but only individuals considered for an interview will be contacted.
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