Applications are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!
Classification: Biologist
Salary: $62,046.84 – $84,290.04, 37.5 hrs/week
Duration: 1-year term (possible extension of the term based on performance and funding)
Start date: March 2024
Location: Hinton, Alberta
Job Description
The successful candidate will be part of a team using non-invasive sampling for genetic and endocrine profiling of grizzly bears to monitor survival, demographics, reproduction, and health of selected bear populations in Alberta.
This position will involve:
- Assist with recruiting and training of seasonal staff.
- Assist with planning and coordination of fieldwork activities.
- Manage and supervise field crews; ensure health and safety requirements are met.
- Conduct fieldwork to setup and monitor hair snag/camera sites to obtain grizzly bear hair samples and images.
- Conduct habitat monitoring work to assess availability of different bear foods across the landscape.
- Engagement with shareholders and project partners.
- Engagement with indigenous partners and communities.
- Data entry and management.
- Providing support with project operations as required.
- Position based in Hinton, Alberta, with periods spent living in field camps during the field season as required.
- Flexibility to work shifts during the field season (typically 9 days on, 5 days off).
- Dependent on experience:
- Report writing and communications with project partners and stakeholders.
- Assisting with data analysis and preparation of scientific publications.
- Potential to develop/pursue own research ideas that fall within the project scope.
The exact breakdown of work and involvement in different elements of the project will depend on the successful candidate’s experience, skillset, and interests.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- A minimum of a BSc degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 6 years’ field experience in ecological studies or wildlife management or Masters degree in a related discipline with 3 years’ field experience in ecological studies.
- Experience managing and carrying out field season preparation and logistics (planning field schedules, organizing access to sites, ensuring fieldwork objectives are met, etc.).
- Supervisory experience with field crews.
- Experience and proficiency driving 4-wheel drive vehicles.
- Fieldwork and data collection experience.
- Experience carrying out field work in challenging and adverse conditions.
- Comfortable working with spatial data, preparing field and GPS maps, using ArcGIS field maps or similar spatial software.
- Experience with data entry, managing datasets and databases.
- Ability to meet strict production deadlines.
- Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and willing to work flexible schedule when required.
- Familiarity with or experience in conducting/collaborating on different phases of scientific studies (study design, data collection and analysis, writing, and publication).
- Strong organizational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail, ability to follow complex protocols and collect data accurately.
- Proven problem-solving skills and ability for independent decision making.
- Proven ability to work well as part of small and large teams.
- Valid First Aid and CPR by start date.
- Eligible to work in Canada.
- Employment is conditional on clean valid Class 5 driving licence, with minimum 3-years driving record.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
This position may suit a variety of candidates with different levels of experience or skillsets. Therefore, the list of desirable requirements below covers a wide range of strengths that different candidates may bring to the role – candidates are not expected to meet all requirements.
- Experience engaging and working with indigenous communities.
- Capable and comfortable operating ATVs and trailers.
- Familiarity or understanding of vehicle mechanics and maintenance.
- Experience in deployment and use of trail cameras.
- Experience with spatial and/or statistical software (ArcGIS, R, etc.)
- Field experience in the boreal forest or in areas with active forestry, oil and gas, or mining activity.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, and ability to explain complex scientific data.
- Recent grant writing experience.
- Proficiency in designing field data collection protocols and entry.
- Scientific writing and communication experience, including reports, peer reviewed publications, or conference presentations.
- Familiarity with scientific literature on grizzly bear research, management, and conservation.
Candidates who do not meet all requirements but believe they would be a good fit for the job description above are encouraged to apply.
Conditions
Salary levels for this position will be dependent on education and experience. The Grizzly Bear Monitoring project is currently envisioned to run at least until 2028, this position would initially be for a 1-year term with annual renewal for project duration based on performance and funding.
fRI Research offers a flexible work schedule, hybrid work (outside of fieldwork this is usually 2 days at home, 3 days at the office), benefits including extended healthcare and parental leave top up, minimum of 3 weeks paid vacation, 2 personal days, 1 volunteer day, paid sick days, and a RRSP/TFSA program.
fRI Research is an independent not-for-profit research institute that focuses on applied research. The position is based in in Hinton, Alberta, 20 minutes east of Jasper National Park, and 3 hours west of Edmonton. Hinton, set amidst the stunning scenery of the Alberta Rockies, is a community of 10,000 in the heart of a four-season recreational paradise. Our region offers outstanding mountain biking, climbing, hiking, and skiing opportunities, as well as plenty of arts and cultural activities.
Applications are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!
