Project Watershed is hiring a Forage Fish Technician!
Job Opening
Project Watershed is hiring a Forage Fish Technician! Our organization is looking for an enthusiastic environmental technician to help us facilitate our forage fish project. The ideal candidate will have a background in ecology/biology and have experience working outside in the field. This position will work closely with our Forage Fish Project Lead Biologist and the forage fish team to meet our grant requirements.
The successful candidate will be supporting our core forage fish winter field work including leading winter beach sampling trips, supporting partners on beach sampling efforts and subsequent microscope work, and related data input/management.
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
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with forage fish team and project lead.
- Conduct winter forage fish beach spawning eDNA and visual egg sampling program targeting Pacific sand lance and surf smelt.
- Support partners in sampling local beach sampling.
- Support the coordination of delivering sensitive samples to lab
- Gather and organize all related data into excel/csv spreadsheets.
- Assist in technical writing as needed.
- Assist and support communications and outreach initiatives about Project Watershed’s ongoing initiatives.
Qualifications/Expectations:
- Diploma or BSc completed/in progress in ecology, biology, or applicable environmental field.
- Background or experience in marine ecosystems and/or fish ecology is an asset.
- Experience conducting field work/experiments, data input & interpretation.
- Proficiency in Excel (or equivalent platforms).
- Experience with volunteer coordination and/or management.
- Experience working in partnership or collaboration with Indigenous communities an asset.
- Must have a vehicle and a valid Canadian driver’s license.
- Must be comfortable working outside in winter conditions. Some work alone may be required.
- Standard First Aid with CPR Level C
- Pleasure Craft Operators Card
- Criminal Record Check with vulnerable sector search
Salary and details
We offer flexible working hours, remote and in-office work opportunities. We aim to have a candidate in place by early November working 800 hours total over the course of the contract (approximately 25–38 hours weekly for 5-6 months), with compensation ranging from $24-27/hr with a benefits package. Hybrid work opportunities are available; however, this position will require on-site availability at survey sites across southwest and central-east 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 Technician” in the subject line. Interviews will be scheduled for early October. 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.