Field Staff, Restoration

Field Staff, Restoration & Infrastructure (Toronto Waterfront Cormorant Management) - Seasonal

Toronto, ON, Canada

Job Description

Posted Monday, January 5, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Position Details:
Current Rate of Pay: Min = $24.13/hr, Max = $27.97/hr
Employment type: Seasonal
Duration of employment: 10 weeks
Hours of work: 40 hrs/week
Work location: Toronto Island Park
Division: Restoration & Infrastructure
Business unit: Restoration & Resource Management
Travel: None
Hybrid Work: No
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Seasonal Hire TRCA – 2026

Seasonal job opportunities are plentiful at TRCA. If you are looking for seasonal job openings, we can provide great opportunities and seasonal perks. To apply to this posting, click on the “Apply” icon.

Please submit your resume and cover letter in one file (PDF or Word) and upload using only the ‘Resume’ feature within the application.

By working at TRCA you will:

- Work outdoors during the spring and summer in beautiful natural areas.

- Gain valuable experience working at a conservation authority.

- Get a free Conservation Ontario annual pass.

- Get access to TRCA’s Reciprocal Program (discounts across various Ontario attractions).

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:

The Field Staff, Restoration & Infrastructure will work as a team to implement the Cormorant Management Strategy at Toronto Island Park. Deterrent techniques will be used at dawn and dusk to deter cormorants from nesting in healthy trees. Primary deterrent techniques use forestry poles and ropes to knock partially built nests from the high tree canopy. This is labour intensive and requires consistent movement and physicality, such as walking, stretching, jumping, swimming, digging, lifting (up to 45lbs)/pushing/pulling items, cleaning, working on vegetation or other general strain.

The Field Staff must be available to work flexible hours including morning or evening shifts (pre‑dawn/post‑dark – 4:30 a.m./11:30 p.m.) on a rotating 5 of 7 day/week schedule (including weekend shifts). Start/end time will change throughout the season based on daylight hours.

This contract starts Monday April 6 and ends Friday June 12, 2026.

Major Responsibilities:

- Monitor nesting activities of Double‑crested Cormorants.

- Deter cormorants from nesting in designated areas using a suite of repetitive and strenuous physical techniques including (but not limited to) human presence in the colony, noise makers and nest removal using forestry poles.

- Collects and inputs field data according to project scope.

- Participate in the daily safety meetings including tailgate meetings, hazard identification and emergency planning.

- Operate equipment required to execute work duties related to the project.

- Conducts colonial waterbird nesting population surveys.

- Incumbents may also be assigned other duties.

The Field Staff must be available to work flexible hours including morning or evening shifts (pre‑dawn/post‑dark – 4:30 a.m./11:30 p.m.) on a rotating 5 of 7 day/week schedule (including weekend shifts). Start/end time will change throughout the season based on daylight hours.

What will you need to succeed:

Education (degree/diploma/certifications/licenses)

- Minimum pursuing a post‑secondary diploma or degree in a related field.

- Valid Class G2 Driver’s License.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability - Competencies

- Familiar with basic equipment and power tools.

- Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy.

- Demonstrated ability to proactively identify problems in a timely manner, seeking the appropriate level of support to solve issues.

- Proficiency in MS Office for general office communications (i.e., mail, spreadsheet and word processing software, including online enablement software such as MS Teams and SharePoint).

- Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act, related regulations and legislation.

- Required to lift or carry objects that could weigh up to 45lbs.

- Requirements of the role require consistent movement and physicality, such as walking, stretching, jumping, swimming, digging, lifting (up to 45lbs)/pushing/pulling items, cleaning, working on vegetation or other general strain.

- Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions and in adverse environments.

While the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) thanks all applicants for their interest, only those under consideration will be contacted for interviews. Please be advised that successful incumbent(s) may be required to undergo a vulnerable sector screening and/or driver’s abstract check as a part of the final step in the hiring process.

TRCA is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and TRCA Policies, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to the TRCA. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Personal information you provide through the TRCA recruitment, selection, and onboarding process is collected under the authority of the Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27. Collection of this personal information is necessary for the proper administration of this recruitment process for employment and volunteer positions with TRCA. Personal information is protected from disclosure pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Any questions regarding this collection activity should be directed to the Manager of Records and Information, 5 Shoreham Drive, Toronto, ON, M3N 1S4, (437) 880 2308.

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