Conservation Intern

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for Conservation Technicians to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its supporters have protected 15 million hectares (more than 35 million acres) of ecologically significant land across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, science-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.
- **Purpose and General Description**:
Are you passionate about conserving some of Central Ontario East’s most important natural spaces? Do you want to have a positive, lasting impact on nature? Are you looking for a well-rounded position to kick-start your conservation career with hands on experience? We want to hear from you

NCC is looking for passionate people to join the Central Ontario East stewardship team as a Conservation Technician. Working closely with NCC’s Coordinators of Conservation Biology, these internship positions will help the stewardship team conduct fieldwork, process field data, and prepare reports for NCC’s stewardship projects in the Rice Lake Plains - Lake Iroquois Plain, Eastern Lake Ontario Coast, and Napanee Plain natural areas. There are also opportunities to work closely with partner organizations, local stewards, and volunteers. This position is intended to provide an inspiring, learning-focused environment for a junior professional.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Participate in a variety of fieldwork on NCC properties across Central Ontario East including:
- Classifying ecosystems by helping to identify plants (with assistance);
- Conducting property inspections to check for natural disturbances, vandalism, trespassing, emerging threats, and risks and liabilities;
- Removing invasive plant species using manual and chemical control methods;
- Monitoring biodiversity targets (e.g. species at risk, vegetation communities) and threats (e.g. invasive species);
- General property maintenance including trail monitoring and sign installation;
- Data entry, analysis, research and reporting using Microsoft Office and an internal database system;
- Assist with volunteer and property steward management;
- Assist with compliance monitoring of conservation easements;
- Other duties as assigned

**Required Skills and Attributes**:
This posting is targeted to individuals possessing the following skills:

- Enthusiastic about conserving nature;
- Adaptable/ flexible with day-to-day plans;
- Comfortable hiking/working in remote wilderness locations without trails (dense forest with mosquitoes / ticks etc.) for extended periods in various weather;
- Enjoys working as part of a team, and has a sense of humour, compassionate, good-natured, positive attitude;
- Clear, professional and thoughtful communicator to landowners, public, colleagues;
- Reliable, punctual, and responsible;
- Willingness to learn and follow protocols;
- Self-motivated to work independently;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Proficient with data management and spreadsheet software;
- Physical work will be required (e.g., strenuous hiking, carrying a heavy backpack, etc.);
- Valid class “G” driver’s license, ability to rent a vehicle and comfort driving on highways and rough roads.

The following additional skills and abilities would be assets in this position but are not required to apply. Training will be provided by NCC to further develop these skills:

- Basic knowledge of plants, wildlife, and birds;
- Experience engaging with members of the public or volunteers;
- Standard First Aid - Level C CPR or Remote First Aid certification.

**Terms of Employment**:

- Subject to funding, there are two 7-month positions from April 29, 2024 until November 29, 2024 and one 6-month position from April 29, 2024 until October 25, 2024
- Compensation: $20.70/hour;
- Position locations:

- 1 position: Rice Lake Plains - Lake Iroquois Plain natural area, (south of Rice Lake, north of Cobourg, ~45 km southeast of Peterborough) - based out of NCC’s Hazel Bird Nature Reserve (south of Harwood, ON)
- 1 position: Rice Lake Plains - Lake Iroquois Plain natural area, (south of Rice Lake, north of Cobourg, ~45 km southeast of Peterborough) while supporting some stewardship work in Eastern Lake Ontario Coast natural area - based out of NCC’s Hazel Bird Nature Reserve (south of Harwood, ON)
- 1 position: Eastern Lake Ontario Coast / Napanee Plain natural areas - based out of Belleville
- Evening and weekend work may be required but is infrequent.
- Positions will include “office work” that will be completed i