Cool Volunteer Opportunity!

[ÜberFly]

http://www.workcabin.ca/jobs/conservationwildlife/southwest-alberta-grizzly-bear-monitoring-project-fall-volunteer-field-tec

 

Organization: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

Job Type: Internship Volunteer

Location: Pincher Creek, Alberta AB

Posting Date: Jun 18, 2014

Deadline: Aug 10, 2014

Website: http://esrd.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/wildlife-management/bear-management/grizzly...

Organization Description:

Job Description:

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development; Parks Canada; Alberta Tourism, Parks, and Recreation – Parks Division; and the University of Alberta are seeking volunteer field technicians for a pilot project evaluating the feasibility of non-invasive genetic sampling (primarily bear rub trees) to estimate population growth rate, abundance, density and distribution patterns of grizzly bears in southwestern Alberta.

The study area is located in the southwestern corner of Alberta, bounded by Highway 3 to the north, British Columbia to the west, the US border to the south, and the eastern edge of grizzly bear range to the east. The study area includes a mix of public and private land, ranging from mountainous remote terrain, to forested areas, to agricultural land and prairies.

We have completed our initial surveys of the study area and 879 rub objects have been established. We are seeking field technicians to collect hair samples every 3 weeks from these established rub objects. The positions will involve extensive hiking on and off trail (average 20-25 km daily) and periodic use of ATVs to collect hair samples.

These are volunteer positions, but groceries and shared housing will be provided. Housing is located just outside of Pincher Creek, AB at the Oldman Dam Provincial Recreation Area. We are targeting a 5 day on, 2 day off work schedule. All work is day trips (i.e. no overnight backpacking).

Please note that this is not a trapping and collaring study. You will not be involved in any capture or handling of bears, and bear observations in the field are not guaranteed. You will get to see a beautiful part of the country (southern Canadian Rockies) and lots of wildlife.

Qualifications:

1) The volunteer positions are physically demanding. You must be able to hike 20-25 km per day in mountainous terrain on and off trail while carrying a day pack – and capable of doing that for at least 5 days in a row.

2) Ability to navigate in remote/rural areas using a GPS, map, and compass.

3) Be at least 19 years old and hold a valid Driver’s License (minimum of 3 years driving experience) from North America that has no demerits (this is a non-negotiable requirement in order to drive project vehicles; an International Driving Permit is NOT sufficient).

4) Non-Canadians must have a valid passport.

5) Have excellent interpersonal communication skills that enable you to interact positively with the rest of the crew and various stakeholders within the study site. Experience living and working in rural communities is an asset.

6) Are flexible, and can work long hours and odd schedules.

7) Have strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols.

8) Have a strong interest in wildlife ecology.

9) Experience operating ATVs and 4WD vehicles on mountainous roads.

Targeted Start Date: August 25, 2014

Targeted End Date: November 15, 2014

We are looking for a commitment for the remainder of our 2014 field season (August 25-November 15) Positions will be open until filled. We will acknowledge the receipt of your application, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted further. Interviews and hiring will be ongoing until suitable candidates are found. Please apply as soon as possible.

Apply To:

To apply please send the following as a single e-mail attachment to both andrea.morehouse@gov.ab.ca and anne.loosen@gov.ab.ca:

[bcubed]

damn, that's a pretty good opportunity for a budding wildlife bio or ecologist..... Hard to commit to that without getting paid

[ÜberFly]

Yeah I hear ya Brent! If it was a day or 2 but couldn't take that amount of time off work without it being a "true" vacay!!

 

Would be great for someone retired or semi-retired, but would have to be in shape. That's for sure!

[monger]

They used to pay their slave labour $5.50/hr years ago...now they want them for free. Our government is very interested in investing in wildlife

[albertatrout]

Volunteer positions for this kind of work are a complete joke! Even the governments has unpaid internships now. I know of university research projects on grizzlies in Alberta actually charging staff money to be involved, the sad thing is all positions were filled easily with granola crunching vegan types. Nothing against them, but it leads to a certain demographic taking over research in our province.

[Weedy1]

 

granola crunching vegan

 

Sounds like a very nice bear snack.

[fishinglibin]

That excludes me. Meat and dairy are my middle names.