PCM Wildlife Field Technician – (1420)

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium-size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking for energetic and experienced PCM Wildlife Field Technicians to help with our upcoming 2024 field season.

Number of positions available:  1

Location: Brooks, AB or Oyen, AB. Intermittent travel to and from the Calgary, AB office will be required.

Tentative Start Date: mid-February 2024, or as needed

Benefits: WEST Benefits 

Job Description:
Primary duties may include:

• Carcass searches at operational wind or solar energy facilities;
• Other standard post-construction monitoring surveys at renewable energy facilities;
• Bat acoustic detector and/or thermal camera setup and maintenance;
• Other wildlife surveys (e.g., sharp-tailed grouse, breeding bird, bird migration, etc.)
• Raptor nest monitoring;
• Other ecological surveys (e.g., wetland, soil, and vegetation assessments);
• Field data QAQC, processing, and demobilization;
• Data entry and management;
• Weekly timesheet and expense report completion;
• Support reporting as needed:  compiling tables and figures, report writing; and
• Office-based administrative assistance, as needed.

The duration of this position is approximately mid-February to mid-November, with possibility for extension. Candidates must be willing and available to complete this entire field season. Work is temporary and will be 35 or more hours per week.

Fieldwork will require candidates to:

• Start survey work early in the morning (e.g., 5:00 AM);
• Demonstrate wildlife identification skills for bird and bat species;
• Live on-site, in a nearby field house, or in their own accommodation in a nearby town/city. The living arrangement will depend on project requirements and the candidate’s location;
• Work through weekends and holidays, as needed;
• Work overtime hours (i.e., more than 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week) whilst in the field, as needed;
• Work effectively either independently or in small crews;
• Demonstrate effective communication, organizational, and time management skills with site management and WEST supervisors;
• Walk long distances (up to 20 km per day) in uneven or difficult terrain;
• Safely handle animal carcasses and parts;
• Work in a range of environmental conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wind);
• Provide their own SUV or truck that is capable of passing a maintenance check and meets WEST’s insurance requirements;
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating a four-wheel drive vehicle in off-road conditions;
• Work around/in hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., livestock, dust, mud, snow, extreme heat and cold);
• Work in rattlesnake, grizzly bear, black bear, cougar, and wolf habitat;
• Work in areas with little to no cellphone signal, and utilize satellite and radio devices for regular communication as required by safety protocols;
• Operate and collect data on a tablet;
• Demonstrate due care of field equipment, vehicles, and office equipment;
• Collect quality legible field data, and adhere to administrative processes pertaining to fieldwork, safety, and HR;
• Work well under time constraints and meet deliverable targets and deadlines; and
• Follow protocols and work efficiently.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position.

The following general requirements of the position must be met by all candidates:

• Legally allowed to work in Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or have an existing VISA with no work restrictions) Please note: US citizens require a Canadian work visa to work in Canada;
• Completed and received a relevant technical diploma or bachelor’s degree in ecology, zoology, environmental science or management, or other related discipline;
• Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions;
• Able to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g., Enterprise);
• Able to obtain a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company;
• Able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients;
• High level of initiative and ability to think critically to solve challenging problems;
• Capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements, outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment; and
• Have durable steel-toed boots and hiking boots with a minimum 6-inch ankle (waterproof highly recommended), and good quality binoculars (8×42 or 10×42). These pieces of field equipment will not be reimbursed by WEST.

Desired Skills:

• Experience conducting avian use point counts and other biological fieldwork;
• Previous experience using tablet data collection systems;
• Experience with vegetation identification;
• Experience operating bat acoustic monitors; and
• Previous experience completing the aforementioned survey types.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, family status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law.