---

---

Location

Saskatchewan | Canada

---

Job description

Your Connection to Wildlife 

As one of Canada’s largest not for profit leaders in wildlife conservation, research, and advocacy, we are seeking to fill the following position… 

Grassland Insect Field Technician

This position is contingent on receiving funding from the Canada Summer Jobs program.
Anticipated start : May 23, 2025
Positions to hire : 4
Location : Southern Saskatchewan
Fixed-term for 9 weeks  
$16.55 per hour, 37.5 hours per week

Who we are: 

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is a national not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, conducting research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and advocating for effective wildlife policy and regulation, CWF strives for a future in which Canada’s wildlife is conserved for generations to come. 

Diversity is a fundamental part of our core values; we create every opportunity to become more inclusive. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from all diverse communities including, but not limited to, Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, and women in non-traditional roles. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please notify HR at any time. 

Project Description and Main Purpose 

This is a multi-partner project to investigate the impacts of grazing practices on biodiversity in the native grasslands of southern Saskatchewan, including vegetation, grassland birds and insects. Canadian Wildlife Federation is responsible for the insect sampling component of this project. Four major groups of insects will be sampled in rangelands by a field team over a two-month period. CWF is hiring four grassland insect field technicians to support this project. 

Reporting to the Native Grassland Conservation Manager, Terrestrial Wildlife, the Grassland Insect Field Technician will assist with insect specimen collection on four ranches in southwestern Saskatchewan.  Accommodation at a bunkhouse in SW Saskatchewan (TBD) will be provided. Travel to accommodations at the start and end of field season will be provided. This position is part of the Canada Summer Jobs program and is intended to provide opportunity for youth to gain experience and enhance their skills. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria defined below.  

Key responsibilities 

1. Drive to study plots on secondary roads in the early morning. 
2. Conduct insect surveys using active (e.g., sweep netting) and passive (e.g., pan trapping) methods based on the project protocol and process the active collecting samples with Photocollectors. 
3. Conduct field activities related to insect surveys, following a detailed project protocol (e.g., locate plots by GPS, walk between sites, and set up, operate and carry sampling equipment). 
4. Store samples in ethanol-filled containers. 
5. Accurately label samples in the field and complete paper datasheets recording activities, coordinates, plot numbers, and related information. 
6. Sort, dry, weigh and pin insects (if needed). 
7. Organize samples after field work, sort insects from debris, recharge, maintain and repair field equipment (in the field and/or at base camp).  
8. Pack and ship samples. 

Experience / Skills / Knowledge 

Successful candidates will have experience in or demonstrate the ability to learn the following: 

1. Working with insects in natural environments, including familiarity with various surveying, trapping, and preparation techniques (e.g., collecting insect samples with pan traps and sweep nets, dropping off samples into the specific equipment (Photocollectors), transferring collected insects into alcohol-filled containers, sorting insects from debris, labelling, preserving, sorting, pinning, organizing samples and handling insect collection equipment). 
2. Familiarity with entering data into a database, spreadsheet, or related applications. 
3. Entering data into a MS Excel spreadsheet. 
4. Conducting scientific studies, taxonomic identification, and curation of insects.   
5. Working with a microscope to identify insects.  
6. Studying or having studied Wildlife Technology, Resource Management, Range Management, Biological Science, Environmental Sciences or similar at university or college will be an asset.  

Working Conditions 

1. Must be capable of working outdoors in challenging terrain and weather conditions. Must be capable of walking, swinging an insect net for long periods of time, and occasional lifting of heavy objects. Must be capable of working independently. Must be capable of working early in the morning (4 or 5 am). Must be capable of handling insects.  
2. Must be capable of working and living in a team environment. You will be sharing a bunkhouse near the study sites for the duration of the field work. 
3. The work week is 5 days per week, with occasional flexible hours according to the needs of field collection and weather conditions. This schedule means that you will work some weekends. 
4. Collecting equipment will be provided by the project. However, you will be expected to provide appropriate field clothing/footwear. 

Eligibility: 

In order for candidates to be considered, they must meet the criteria set by Canada Summer Jobs, a program of the Government of Canada. To be eligible, participants must: 

• be between 15 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, 
• is legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulations.

Recent immigrants are eligible if they are Canadian Citizens or permanent residents. 
International students are not eligible participants.  

Length of Contract 

The anticipated start date for this summer position is 23 May 2024 for a period of 8 weeks.

This position is contingent on receiving funding from the Canada Summer Jobs program. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2024

HOW TO APPLY :  Interested and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply online by April 3, 2024. Only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank you for your interest in the Canadian Wildlife Federation. 

We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by contacting the Human Resources department when selected for an interview.

---

Job tags

---

---

Salary