Grassland Programs Biologist

Are you looking to channel your skills into meaningful, energizing work that will directly contribute to protecting our natural world? Do you want to work with an exceptional group of passionate and caring colleagues? 

Birds Canada is the country's premier national organization dedicated to bird conservation. Every day, our thousands of caring donors, 100+ dedicated 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 – will you join us?

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Grassland Program Biologist plays a key role in delivering Birds Canada's Grassland Conservation Program within Bird Conservation Region 11 (the Prairie Provinces). This position is responsible for coordinating and implementing all fieldwork activities, ensuring high-quality data collection and curation for our science and monitoring efforts.

The successful candidate will be a skilled field biologist with excellent bird identification abilities, strong organizational and communication skills, and experience leading field crews. This role requires the ability to plan and deliver complex field operations, mentor junior staff, troubleshoot in the field, and maintain high scientific and safety standards.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

This full-time role reports to the Grassland Program Manager with support from the Prairie Director.  During the field season (May-July), the Biologist will work primarily in the field within the Prairie Provinces, often involving early mornings, occasional weekend days, and extended workdays in variable weather conditions.  Outside of the field season, the position is home office-based and can be performed remotely from within Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Alberta, with regular business hours.  Successful candidates must have reliable access to a stable internet connection during the non-field season to fulfill the data management, reporting, and program planning aspects of the role.  The expected start date for this role is early January 2026.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

Birds Canada is proud to offer an exceptional Total Compensation Package, including a competitive starting salary 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. 

STARTING SALARY: $56,423 annually commensurate with your skills and experience.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead on all aspects of data collection and curation for the Grassland Conservation Program
• Coordinate planning and preparations for annual summer fieldwork
• Train and manage summer field crews; assist with collecting data in the field.
• Compile data summaries
• Preparation of landowner reports
• Manage and maintain the grassland bioacoustics recording database
• Manage/track subcontractor efforts to process recording
• Help Birds Canada's Grassland team with the evolution and delivery of the Program
• Assist with preparation of scientific manuscripts and reports to funders
• Support the Grassland Program Manager and Prairie Region Director in the writing of grants and other funding proposals

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong field ornithology skills, including excellent bird identification by sight and sound, and a solid understanding of scientific methods and protocols for surveying birds
• Demonstrated competency with prairie and parkland bird species of western and central Canada
• Familiarity with avian sampling techniques, data collection standards, and data coding procedures
• Experience with bioacoustic sampling and processing of recordings
• Proven experience supervising and directing field studies and seasonal field teams
• Skilled in data collection, management, and quality assurance
• Strong oral and written communication skills for engaging a range of audiences
• Computer skills: ability to use a variety of computer programs (e.g. Microsoft (MS) Access, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, Wildtrax, R Project)
• Highly self-motivated, organized, and effective in collaborative, team-based environments
• Valid driver's license and comfort with travel to and between remote field sites

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

While not required, candidates may have completed a B.Sc. or M.Sc. in biology, ecology, or a related wildlife program.  Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume along with a covering letter outlining how your experience makes you the perfect candidate for this role via the Birds Canada Online Job Portal by 5pm CST on November 7, Birds Canada will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. 

At Birds Canada, we are committed to fostering a culture that values Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation, and Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, as integral approaches that shape all that we do in our organization and for nature (read our full commitment to inclusion at this LINK). We oppose prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination, and aim to ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences feel a sense of belonging and can participate in protecting wild birds and their habitats.

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+, and/or who have a disability, are therefore welcome to mention this in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.