Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), founded in the United States in 1990, has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States. In 2017, WEST expanded into Canada by opening an office in Calgary, AB. We are looking for energetic and experienced PCM Wildlife Field Technicians to help with our upcoming 2023 field season.

Key Details:

• Number of positions available: Multiple
• Location: Positions available in Medicine Hat, Provost, Pincher Creek, and Claresholm, AB. Occasional travel to and from the Calgary, AB office will be required.
• Tentative Start Date: mid-February 2023, or as-needed
• Additional Details: 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.

Job Description:
Primary duties may include:

• Conducting carcass searches at operational wind or solar energy facilities.
• Conducting other standard post-construction monitoring surveys at renewable energy facilities.
• Setting up and monitoring bat acoustic monitors.
• Setting up and monitoring trail cameras.
• Conducting other wildlife or terrestrial surveys such as avian use or wetland surveys.
• Summarizing and entering data.
• Providing reporting support as needed: compiling tables and figures, report writing.

Fieldwork may require long days in a range of weather extremes. Candidates must be comfortable with hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., livestock, electric fencing, driving a four-wheel drive vehicle, rough terrain, wind, dust, mud, snow, extreme heat, and cold).

Work is temporary and can be full or part-time hours, may occur on weekends, and will require travel. The candidate will be required to either live on-site, in a nearby field house, or in their own accommodation in a nearby town/city. The living arrangement will be depend on project requirements and the candidate’s location.

Staff may work independently or in small crews, and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with site management and WEST supervisors.

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

Requirements:

• Legally allowed to work in Canada,
• Post-secondary diploma in biology, natural resources, wildlife management, or equivalent education,
• Possession of a valid driver’s license with no restrictions,
• Wildlife identification skills for avian and bat species,
• Ability to work long days (up to 12 hours) in the field,
• Ability to drive an SUV or truck on gravel or dirt roads,
• Ability to operate and collect data on a tablet,
• Comfortable safely handling animal carcasses and parts,
• Ability to walk long distances each week (up to 15km/day),

• Ability to work independently and interact positively with project managers, clients, field partners, and landowners,
• Excellent time management and organizational skills,
• Ability to work well under time constraints, adhere to budgets, and produce required deliverables,
• Ability to adhere to WEST’s and clients’ safety expectations, complete safety paperwork correctly, and operate safely under minimal field supervision,
• Highly-developed ability to follow protocols and work efficiently in the field and office,
• High level of initiative and ability to think critically to solve challenging problems.

Desired Skills:

• Experience conducting avian use point counts and other biological fieldwork,
• Experience with vegetation identification,
• Experience operating bat acoustic monitors,
• Strong interest in working with wildlife, in various sectors,
• Comfortable handling and transporting injured wildlife.

As this job will require working in close proximity to others (e.g., travel in vehicles or helicopters for extended periods), it is a condition of this position that the successful candidate be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Prior to making any offer of employment, the successful candidate will have to provide documentation to WEST that they have been fully vaccinated. If the successful candidate cannot be vaccinated due to a protected ground under applicable human rights legislation, WEST will abide by its obligations under human rights legislation to provide accommodation, if possible, up to the point of undue hardship.

Successful candidates must be able to provide a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. Successful candidates must also be able to pass periodic drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients. Candidates must be capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements, outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment.

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.