Project Watershed is hiring a Forage Fish Lead Biologist!
Job Opening
Project Watershed is hiring a Forage Fish Project Lead Biologist! Our organization is looking for an enthusiastic biologist to help us facilitate and manage our forage fish project. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in marine ecology/biology, as well as restoration. They’ll have experience working with a diverse set of partners, stakeholders, and collaborators, as well as local community members and volunteers. This position will work closely with our Executive Director and forage fish team to meet our grant requirements.
The successful candidate would be managing our core forage fish projects including overseeing the west coast winter beach spawner sampling program, preparing shoreline habitat assessments, forage fish shoreline restoration project design, permitting and construction, and providing site selection, data management and data analysis support the Coastal Forage Fish Network.
About Project Watershed
Project Watershed is a team of scientists, community educators, and stewardship professionals. We believe that community-engaged science can further stewardship of Comox Valley’s sensitive ecosystems and help us create an inclusive and thriving environment for our future communities. Since 1993, we’ve been working in partnership with scientists, First Nations, communities, various levels of governments and other NGOs to carry out our mission of restoring and conserving the freshwater and coastal ecosystems from Oyster River to Deep Bay. Our forage fish work takes us beyond, to nearshore areas of the entire south coast.
Duties and responsibilities
- Lead & manage on-the-ground restoration projects to reach restoration goals/objectives on time and budget.
- Integrate up–to–date restoration best practices to achieve project goals.
- Oversee new and ongoing restoration monitoring initiatives, including citizen science monitoring programs.
- Lead drafting and submission of all required permits for shoreline restoration work and ensure adequate permits are in place for monitoring and research projects.
- Oversee winter forage fish beach spawning environmental DNA and visual egg sampling program.
- Support partners/team members in sampling local beach sampling, coordinate sample delivery to lab and gather and organize all related data.
- Flexibly coordinate and collaborate with team members, project contractors and consultants to achieve technical goals.
- Coordinate with and support partners to achieve research sampling goals.
- Assist and support communications and outreach initiatives about Project Watershed’s ongoing initiatives.
- Complete quarterly and annual reporting and invoicing for grant requirements.
- Technical report writing, as needed.
- Site visits to shoreline and beaches (in all seasons) as needed.
Qualifications/Expectations:
- BSc or MSc in ecology, biology, or applicable environmental field.
- Background or experience in marine ecosystems and/or fish ecology.
- 2+ years experience developing, leading, and conducting ecological field experiments, monitoring protocols, data analysis & interpretation. A recent example of data analysis or first-author technical report may be requested.
- 2+ years experience managing restoration projects; a combination of experience and advanced education may be considered.
- Experience working in restoration prefer for candidates with marine restoration experience and knowledge of BC shore spawners is an asset.
- Proficiency in Excel, R Studio, and GIS applications (or equivalent platforms).
- Experience with volunteer coordination and/or management.
- Experience working in partnership or collaboration with Indigenous communities is an asset.
- Team management is an asset.
- Ability to obtain RPBio designation, is an asset.
- Must have a vehicle and a valid Canadian driver’s license.
- Standard First Aid with CPR Level C
- Pleasure Craft Operators Card
- Criminal Record Check with vulnerable sector search
Salary and details
This position is a 1-year contract to cover a leave. We’d love to find an individual keen on working in the non-profit, impact sector. We offer flexible working hours, remote and in-office work opportunities, and a work portfolio that is tailorable to the interests and experience of the successful candidate. We aim to have a candidate in place by early November working 25-30 hours weekly, with compensation ranging from $37-$45/hr with a benefits package. Hybrid work opportunities are available; however, this position will require on-site availability at restoration sites across Vancouver Island and the ability to access sampling sites throughout Vancouver Island. Access to reliable transportation is required.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@projectwatershed.ca. Please include at least two references. All email submissions should have “Forage Fish Lead” in the subject line. Interviews will be scheduled for the last week of September. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Project Watershed is committed to fostering a workplace that is inclusive, free of discrimination and harassment. We believe that through embodying the diversity of our communities, we can better restore and conserve diverse ecosystems for all. Applicants with diverse visions and perspectives are encouraged to apply.