Field Biologist – Ontario (Canada) Aerial Insectivore Program

The Ontario Aerial Insectivore Program Team at Birds Canada is currently seeking one highly motivated Field Biologist located in the City of Toronto, to help with the delivery of research, habitat and volunteer stewardship, and monitoring activities in Ontario for the Threatened aerial insectivore species, the Chimney Swift. Anticipated start date is 13 May 2024, with a contract duration of ~6 months, with possibility to extend if additional funding is confirmed.

The Aerial Insectivore Field Biologist will report to the Ontario Projects Biologist, and take a leadership role for the Chimney Swift program work. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: leading field surveys and crews to collect Chimney Swift occupancy data around the hours preceding and following sunset, collecting habitat data at traditional and/or artificial roost/nest structures, data entry and management, implementing recovery activities, facilitating public outreach, and engaging with landowners with critical habitat used by Chimney Swifts. The Field Biologist must be comfortable leading outreach events to engage with the public to work towards advancing stewardship activities with landowners. The Field Biologist must also be comfortable with surveying sites in urban locations near dusk, while alone, and working in hot or other adverse weather conditions occurring in spring and summer.

LOCATION & WORK CONDITIONS

All surveys will be conducted in the City of Toronto - East End (between Warden Ave and Bathurst St, from Lake Shore Blvd E to Steeles Ave W). Accommodation will not be provided and there are limited resources to cover local travel, therefore we are recruiting applicants who would be residing in the City of Toronto for the contract duration, preferably in or close to the East End, and willing to travel primarily by public transit to survey sites during the evening hours (~7:00pm - 11:00pm). Outside of the direct field season, the position is remote and desk-based, at which time staff are responsible for being in a location with reliable power and internet access during standard work hours (9am-5pm EST), and to work from their own personal computer.

EDUCATION

Although not required, some candidates may be in the process of, or have already completed, an M.Sc. in biology or ecology or an equivalent wildlife-related program. Relevant experience or other informal and formal education/training are equally considered.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS     

• Demonstrated ability to lead field teams and train field methodology
• Ability to identify Chimney Swifts by sight and sound 
• Comfortable working at night in a team or individually in urban environments 
• Desire to work with private landowners, the public, and target stakeholders to promote stewardship activities
• Comfortable traveling by public transit or in personal vehicle around the City of Toronto
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• High level of organization, initiative, and record keeping 
• Valid First Aid Certification or able to obtain certification prior to start date
• Legally entitled to work in Canada (if applicable, successful applicants must provide a copy of their work visa and temporary SIN prior to commencing work)

ASSETS

• Experience with developing habitat selection models in R
• Writing and submitting scientific manuscripts for publication
• Ability to create mapping products using ArcGIS
• Ability to be permitted to capture and handle aerial insectivores
• Stewardship or outreach experience, particularly related to species at risk 
• Data management 
• Meet Canada Summer Jobs requirements

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – FIELD WORK

• Responsible for leading a field team (1-2 staff), including delegating daily/weekly tasks and priorities
• Survey priority sites at dusk in the City of Toronto – East End (primarily between Warden Ave to Bathurst St, and Steeles Ave W to Lake Shore Blvd E) throughout the breeding season to determine occupancy at sites
• Collect habitat data at traditional and/or artificial structures 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – ONTARIO SWIFTWATCH CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAM

Support coordination of the Ontario SwiftWatch Citizen Science program:

• Promote SwiftWatch and other project goals through media, publications, and outreach to diverse audiences including youth and schools
• Coordinate and run outreach and stewardship events such as “Swift Night Out”
• Regular communications via phone, email, yearly newsletter, social media, and other media with program volunteers, partners, and the public
• Closely collaborate with the volunteer network, including regional coordinators and key volunteers, to deliver on the program’s research and monitoring objectives

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Targeted outreach (including meetings) and engagement tailored to relevant landowners (e.g., municipal staff, schools, private landowners, etc.) to improve stewardship and reduce loss of Chimney Swift critical habitat, as well as public outreach at events 
• Entering and organizing data, and maintaining databases 
• Assisting with the development of technical reports, engagement strategies, and peer-reviewed publications, where needed 
• Other tasks, as required 

SALARY: $22.19 - $22.93/ per hour, for approximately 40h work week, plus statutory benefits and other pre-approved project-related travel costs. We encourage all candidates with the required qualifications and skills to apply to the position(s). However, note that some preference may be given to those who meet Canada Summer Jobs’ eligibility criteria.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 pm EST, February 23, 2024. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and some positions may be filled prior to the deadline. Early applications encouraged.

TO APPLY: Please apply via our Job Application Portal, attaching your cover letter and resume (not exceeding 4 pages total). Please explicitly highlight relevant qualifications and skills, and indicate if you meet the Canada Summer Jobs’ eligibility criteria. While Birds Canada welcomes all applications, only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted. Birds Canada will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Birds Canada is committed to improving levels of diversity among its volunteers, membership, staff, and board that reflects the diversity of communities across the country. In an effort to do so, we are actively 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.