Crew Leader, Research

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:
The Crew Leader, Research & Monitoring is responsible for overseeing and carrying out daily environmental inventory and monitoring fieldwork activities in support of TRCA's research and monitoring programs and projects.
 
Major Responsibilities:

Conducts ecological, and/or water resource inventories and monitors fieldwork following standardized protocols, liaising with the supervisor and other team members to coordinate field work.

Coordinates staff fieldwork, timeline requirements, site visits, and priorities; providing crew lead level work and health and safety direction.
Conducts inventories and monitoring fieldwork activities which includes:

Prepares daily equipment and vehicles for use, ensures all are in a good state for safe operation.
Prepares site following proper protocols, documents (including safety, cost ledgers, and other records) and identifies hazards and conducts safety meetings.
Installs and maintains equipment.
Collects, manages, and analyzes data; ensuring records are complete.
Maintains sampling instruments and equipment (calibration, storage & tracking, minor repairs).
Completes quality control checks / tests; maintains records.
Performs data entry into internal and external databases.

Contributes to environmental monitoring reports and/or data/results summaries.
Ensures the required site activities are completed as per work scope; ensuring health and safety protocols are followed by crews.

Participates in and/or leads daily safety meetings including tailgate meetings, hazard identification and emergency planning.
Carries out monitoring fieldwork activities including but not limited to:

Surveys of aquatic habitats & species, overseeing and implementing wildlife management activities in the field
Collects biological data according to standardized protocols and performs taxonomic identification of specimens to the family and/or species level. Fish and benthic invertebrates sampling, water quality data collection (e.g., collecting water samples from various streams), sediment samples collection and other aquatic habitat data collection using standardized protocols (e.g., Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol)
Guides project activities involving the installation, operation and maintenance of environmental monitoring equipment and sampling gear.
Operates various types of monitoring equipment including boats (electrofishing boats); GPS units; water quality instruments (e.g., turbidity meter); water level, flow and temperature loggers/meters; and biological sampling equipment such as electrofishing units (backpack) and various types of nets.
Assist in wildlife management activities such as fish rescues, goose counts, goose/swan egg oiling and goose round-up for relocation.

Through consultation with supervisors, has authority to make decisions on safety of crew during field operations during use of marine vessels.
Working knowledge of the Lake Ontario nearshore environment including harbours, embayment's, currents, and weather patterns related sampling operations.
Ability to operate watercraft and to train through TRCA's marine vessel apprentice program.

What will you need to succeed:
Education (degree/diploma/certifications/licenses)

Post-secondary diploma or degree in Resource Management, Environmental or Science, Urban Forestry, Biology or a related field

Valid Ontario Class G2 driver's license

Experience

2+ years of experience in environmental, ecosystem, water resource, or urban forestry research or monitoring
Experience working with various monitoring equipment used in environmental sciences

Knowledge/Skill/Ability - Competencies

The ability to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills in a field environment
Able to comprehend written documentation and procedural guidelines; skilled in writing clear correspondence (concise, logical, grammatically correct)
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team member to coach staff
Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Proficiency in MS Office suite including online software such as MS teams, WebEx, and SharePoint, coupled with a basic knowledge of GIS software (ArcGIS)
Able to self-manage workload and prioritize tasks as an ongoing challenge in a frequently fluctuating workload and multiple deadlines

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