Job Opportunity: Wildlife Biologist

Position Title:  Wildlife Biologist – this is a one-year term position with possibilities for extension.

Salary:  Salary range for this position is between $45.00 – $55.00 per hour, dependent on experience.  It is a part-time position (approx. 20-35 hrs per week)

Location:  Remote (work from home); preference will be given to candidates who live in one of the caribou range jurisdictions (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan).

Application Deadline:  October 15, 2023

Preferred Start Date:  November 6, 2023

Are you a biologist seeking a flexible part-time position that you can make your own, with the potential to expand to full-time? Are you passionate about wildlife conservation? Do you have a love for the land and people of Canada’s North? Would you welcome opportunities to travel to northern communities and work with Indigenous peoples? This position may be a perfect fit for you!

Summary:

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB)’s Wildlife Biologist provides technical and general support to board members and the Board Secretariat (Executive Director (ED) and Communications Specialist) to help address the BQCMB’s mission, to assist the Board with developing and implementing its management plan, and to produce recommendations to relevant parties about issues related to barren-ground caribou conservation and co-management. The position also provides administrative support related to specific projects, board operations (including communications), and more generally to the ED upon request.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Management Planning

  • Maintain a detailed knowledge of the BQCMB’s current Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou management plan and implementation requirements.
  • Support Board plans and actions to implement the management plan, by leading discussions (e.g., to identify priorities and conduct vulnerability assessments) and reporting results.
  • Assist the Executive Director (ED) to identify approaches for addressing BQCMB management plan goals and objectives and coordinate projects upon request of the ED.

Environmental and Habitat Assessment; Other Technical Support

  • Track relevant developments and development proposals related to conservation of barren-ground caribou and habitat from across the North through review of diverse sources of information and discussion with key partners.
  • Serve as the primary BQCMB contact person for NWT and Nunavut regulatory agencies, impact review boards, and land use planning boards.
  • Identify and alert Board members about proposals for commercial and industrial developments on the caribou ranges of potential concern to the BQCMB.
  • Research and write technical submissions to governments and boards about environmental impact assessment and land use planning issues of concern to the BQCMB and attend relevant technical meetings and hearings when feasible.
  • Participate in selected technical meetings, workshops and conferences about caribou management, land use planning, species-at-risk and other relevant issues; provide updates to the Board Executive periodically and present to the full board at BQCMB meetings about events and outcomes.

Communications and Information; Administration

  • Work with the Communications Specialist on special educational products related to conservation issues (e.g., videos, posters, factsheets, harvest calendars).
  • Assist the Communications Specialist by reviewing and commenting on draft content of communications products.
  • Support the Chair by providing briefings and relevant written information, and preparing presentations for public hearings, technical meetings and other public and government meetings.
  • Periodically circulate information to board members and staff by email about relevant and emerging caribou conservation issues and respond to Board requests for information.
  • Respond to technical information requests from BQCMB partners and provide information to governments, Indigenous organizations, communities, non-government organizations, and others.
  • Prepare oral and poster presentations for caribou/ungulate conferences, as required.
  • Review and comment on draft reports produced by other organizations regarding issues of interest and relevance to the BQCMB.
  • Submit funding proposals (including project budgets), financial summaries and project reports to funders and serve as main contact with project funders as delegated by ED.

Qualifications:

  • Honours Degree and/or graduate degree in Wildlife Management/Conservation or related field with a minimum of 5 years’ experience working with barren-ground caribou, northern communities, or other relevant experience.
  • Interest in issues and people involved in barren-ground caribou co-management.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the BQCMB organization, mandate and goals and objectives.
  • Specific knowledge of barren-ground caribou ecology, monitoring and management.
  • Awareness and understanding of environmental and socio-economic factors relevant to barren-ground caribou conservation and co-management.
  • Knowledge of events and advances related to barren-ground caribou management issues in northern Canada, particularly issues of importance to Indigenous peoples.
  • Familiarity with land management processes in northern Canada.
  • Familiarity with government and non-government organizations in northern Canada.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Written, oral and presentation skills for communicating information and responding to questions from Board members, staff, and observers at board meetings and other venues.
  • Ability to work well in a multi-jurisdictional, multi-cultural environment with Board members, staff, and representatives of Indigenous communities and organizations, industry and non-government organizations.
  • Willingness to travel, including by aircraft to northern communities.

The BQCMB is committed to fostering a workforce that mirrors the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, irrespective of their cultural background, racial identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other factor that contributes to a broader range of perspectives and ideas. Our dedication extends to creating an inclusive selection process.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV to TGiroux@arctic-caribou.com with a cover letter explaining how your qualifications and experiences make you the ideal candidate for this role. References will be requested prior to interview. For questions, please email or call 306-930-7776.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. The BQCMB thanks all applicants for their interest.

About the BQCMB

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) is a co­management board established to safeguard two herds of barren‐ground caribou – the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds -­ for present and future generations. Created in 1982, the BQCMB was the first caribou co-management board in North America, which currently includes up to 17 members from two Canadian territories (Northwest Territories and Nunavut) and two provinces (Manitoba and Saskatchewan). The Board provides a way to deal with the multi‐jurisdictional nature of the caribou herds and the multiple cultures of the people who depend on them while including Indigenous peoples in decision‐making processes. The Board Secretariat currently includes three part-time staff who work from home offices.

For more information: http://arctic-caribou.com