Web Application Developer

Birds Canada is the country’s premier national non-profit, science-based organization dedicated to bird conservation. Every day, our thousands of caring donors, 80+ passionate staff, and 70,000+ outstanding volunteers are taking action to help us better understand, appreciate, and conserve birds and their habitats. Together, we are Canada’s voice for birds.

Birds Canada was built on the enthusiastic contributions of thousands of caring supporters and volunteer Citizen Scientists. Data collected by Citizen Scientists, alongside targeted research projects, are used to identify significant bird population changes and help direct conservation planning.

Birds Canada’s Data Science and Technology branch supports hundreds of research and monitoring projects focused on better understanding the ecology, distribution and population dynamics of all bird species. The Data Science and Technology branch achieves this through two main platforms:

NatureCounts: NatureCounts aims to facilitate the handling of all Canadian avian data generated through Birds Canada’s programs, as well as through partnerships and data sharing. It consists of tools used for the collection, interpretation and sharing of avian data.

Motus Wildlife Tracking System: The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international collaborative research network that uses automated radio telemetry to track small flying organisms (birds, bats, and insects). Motus answers fundamental research questions underpinning conservation and provides novel education on animal movement and behaviour, from local to global scales. Click here for more information on Motus' strategy.

These platforms provide the technological tools to facilitate scientific research and monitoring; the analysis, interpretation, curation and communication of data for use by the conservation community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Web Application Developer will support the development and maintenance of software applications, in particular web applications, APIs or database applications used for the management and exploration of bird population and tracking data through the NatureCounts platform and Motus Wildlife Tracking Network .

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

This is a full-time position. This role may be carried out fully remotely, however on-site work at one of our offices throughout Canada (Delta, BC; Port Rowan, ON; and Sackville, NB) or a hybrid approach are also possible.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

Birds Canada is proud to offer an exceptional Total Compensation Package, including a competitive salary of $60,185 - $73,350 CAD per year, and 5% RRSP matching after 12 months of service.  In addition, staff enjoy a primarily employer-paid extended benefits package including health and dental coverage, Basic Group Life Insurance, Group out-of-province travel insurance, Vision, ADD&D and short- and long-term disability coverage.  We offer all staff 4 weeks’ vacation per year to start along with 12 personal health days and additional paid vacation days between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Web Application Developer, in conjunction with Data Science & Technology staff, can expect to participate in any of the following tasks:

• Developing and maintaining application code (e.g. Java libraries, R packages, etc.) necessary for data interactions by staff, volunteers, partners and the public.
• Developing approaches, APIs, queries, procedures and/or web pages to incorporate data from external sources, and share data both within and outside the organization (SQL scripts, query optimization, database partitioning etc.)
• Front and/or back end development of web based data visualization and exploration tools, particularly geospatial tools.
• Maintaining appropriate documentation on applications.
• Ensuring applications maintain appropriate levels of security and cybersecurity.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Minimum 2 years of demonstrated experience in any of the following programming languages or platforms: Java, JSP pages, Java servlets, SQL language, Geoserver, or React Native
• Experience with standard web programming languages (e.g. HTML, CSS, bootstrap).
• Familiarity working with git version control and application deployment.
• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently.
• English mandatory, French and/or Spanish would be assets.

ASSETS

• Experience with geospatial software and web applications (Geoserver, leaflet, SQL server spatial data etc.) would be a highly valuable asset.
• Knowledge and interest in the life sciences (birds, in particular) and citizen science projects
• Database query optimization, working with large datasets and experience with SQL

EDUCATION

A BSc in either computer sciences or life sciences, with pertinent experience in web application development.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and three references via the Birds Canada Online Job Portal by March 31, 2024. Please note that you must be legally entitled to work in Canada in order to be considered for this role.

Birds Canada is committed to improving levels of diversity among its volunteers, supporters, staff, and board that reflects the diversity of communities across the country. In an effort to do so, we are actively tracking and seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, or who have differing abilities are therefore welcome to self-identify in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.

We thank all applicants for their expressed interest and application, however, only those candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.