Trail Ambassador

Location

Niagara Regional District, ON | Canada

Job description

Job Position: Trail Ambassador (multiple locations along the Bruce Trail)

Company: Bruce Trail Conservancy

Location: On the Bruce Trail in Southern Ontario ( Visit brucetrail.org for a map of the trail sections)

There is especially high demand for Trail Ambassadors that live close to the Dufferin Hi-lands, Blue Mountains, Beaver Valley and Sydenham sections.

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week), Tuesday to Saturday

Position Date: June 4th to August 24th 2024 (12 week contract)

The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) is seeking multiple Trail Ambassadors to join their team and spend the summer hiking and working on the Bruce Trail in various Club sections. As a Trail Ambassador you will be working with a partner and be responsible for promoting and educating trail users on proper trail etiquette and safety, and raising awareness about the conservation efforts of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. Trail Ambassadors will also be helping implement stewardship activities as set out by the BTC, monitoring BTC properties and conducting ecological inventories.

The ideal candidate will be an outgoing person, willing to start up conversations with trail users, has an understanding of trail etiquette and safety and has experience with the identification of native and invasive species and/or environmental stewardship in Southern Ontario.

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitoring of BTC owned conservation lands and past restoration projects including tree plantings and native prairie habitat restoration
• Invasive species management on BTC owned properties using manual removal techniques, focusing on European Buckthorn, Dog-strangling Vine, Garlic Mustard and Phragmites
• Contribute to the stewardship and outreach work while helping to raise hiker awareness of stewardship principles
• Assist land stewardship and trail maintenance crews where necessary
• Engaging and interacting with hikers and trail users
• Providing information and guidance on trail routes, points of interest, and amenities
• Promoting trail etiquette, safety, and environmental conservation practices
• Reporting any trail issues or safety concerns to the appropriate authorities
• Assisting with trail maintenance activities such as litter clean-up and trail marking
• Participating in outreach events and programs to raise awareness about the Bruce Trail
• Taking photos for use in social media campaigns and logging species using iNaturalist
• Undertake administrative duties necessary for the execution of field work, including documentation of field work and reporting

If you are passionate about the outdoors and conservation, enjoy interacting with people, and want to contribute to the preservation of one of Canada's most iconic trails, then this Trail Ambassador position at Bruce Trail Conservancy is perfect for you.

Requirements

• Must have a valid drivers license and access to a vehicle- - ideally able to commute to Bruce Trail access points in 45 minutes or less as access to public transportation along the Trail is not always reliable
• Passion for hiking, outdoor recreation, and environmental conservation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of trail etiquette and safety practices and familiarity with local plant and wildlife identification in Southern Ontario
• Ability to work as part of a team in a variety of environmental conditions including but not limited to: heat, rain, insects, and uneven terrain
• Flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays
• Experience in customer service is an asset

Preference will be given to those individuals in the conservation and/or non-profit sectors. Individuals possessing or working towards a degree or diploma in natural resource management, ecological restoration, environmental science or studies, biology, or related disciplines will be strongly considered. Relevant work experience can compensate for formal education. First aid is not required but is considered an asset.

This position may be funded by the Canada Summer Jobs Program. To be eligible, you must:

• be between 18 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and,
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

Deadline to apply: Please submit your resume, cover letter and Club section you are applying for no later than 4pm EST on March 18, 2024

Benefits

Compensation: $20.80/hr

Other Benefits: Spend the summer hiking the Bruce Trail and experiencing the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment while gaining experience in public education, environmental stewardship and trail maintenance. Spend time with a variety of passionate volunteers and staff ecologists and build skills in species ID, public outreach and more.

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