Job posting: Big tree intern
We are seeking an intern to help collect field data on the Gulf Islands.
The Pender Islands Big Tree Registry is a community science initiative managed by Raincoast’s Forest Conservation Program (FCP). It is intended to increase public understanding of the value of intact forests and individual big trees in the Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone. It is also an opportunity to collect data to identify areas of high conservation priority. The Big tree intern will assist the FCP Director by traveling to Gulf Islands, notably North and South Pender Islands, to groundtruth big tree measurements and collect other field data.
Salary and details
Job Type: Temporary (Summer contract)
Anticipated hours: 30 – 35 hours/week for 8 weeks
Start date: June 12, 2023 (flexible)
Salary: $22/hour
Location: This is a remote position, but the ideal candidate will be based in coastal BC with easy access to the southern Gulf Islands. From time to time, overnight stays on one of the Gulf Islands will be required. When possible accommodation will be provided, but some camping may be necessary. When not in the field, the successful candidate must have a good work space with reliable internet access to maintain routine communication with a well-integrated online network of internal and external colleagues for meetings, dialogues, etc. Schedule can be flexible (i.e. work times/work days), with possibility for some extended time off to enjoy the summer.
Application deadline
June 2, 2023.
Position requirements
Funding for this position is provided through the Canada Summer Jobs Program. To be eligible, you must meet the following funding criteria:
- Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment*,
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment**; and,
- have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
- Access to a personal computer and reliable internet connection.
- A valid BC drivers license and access to a vehicle.
*The youth must be 15 years of age at the beginning of the employment period. The youth may be more than 30 years of age at the end of the employment period as long as the youth was 30 at the beginning of the employment period.
**International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada. Youth awaiting a refugee status ruling, as well as those who hold a temporary visitor visa, youth visa or work visa are ineligible.
Duties and responsibilities
- Groundtruth location and size of big trees identified on Pender Islands
- Liaise with private landholders
- Plan outreach activities
- Draft communications pieces
- Enter big tree data and organize big tree database
Desired skills & qualifications
- Diploma/degree achieved or in progress in Geography, Natural Resource Management/Environmental Technology, Environmental Science, or similar.
- Understanding of the Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone and familiarity with characteristic species.
- Strong plant identification skills.
- Experience with data entry and organization.
- Highly self-motivated and able to work effectively in a remote environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Wilderness First Aid certification would be considered a strong asset.
About Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Raincoast is a team of conservationists and scientists empowered by our research to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal British Columbia. We use rigorous, peer-reviewed science and community engagement to further our conservation objectives. We call this approach informed advocacy. Since 1996, Raincoast has been making progress toward our habitat and wildlife protection goals.
About
The Pender Islands Big Tree Registry is a growing database of big trees found on North and South Pender Islands. It is managed under Raincoast’s Forest Conservation Program and is modeled after the province-wide Big Tree Registry managed by the University of British Columbia. Trees are nominated by local residents who collect species information along with a few simple measurements including trunk diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and crown spread. Nominations are made using the iNaturalist smartphone app or a Google Form submission, depending on nominator preference. These nominations are then verified to ensure measurements and location information have been accurately recorded. Findings will be used to document the biodiversity on Pender Islands and the data will be useful for a number of potential projects.
The Registry has been made possible, in large part, by the ongoing dedication of a group of engaged community members who make up the “Trees to Sea” sub-committee of the local grassroots group, Pender Earth. This group was created in 2019 in response to a demonstrated appetite for local opportunities to engage in climate action and conservation. The Registry is one of many projects launched by Pender Earth sub-groups, and it was designed with the local community in mind. It is meant to 1) encourage local residents to look at the trees and forests around their homes through a new lens; 2) create learning and skill building opportunities; and 3) provide tangible opportunities to participate in conservation action.
How to apply
Email applications with “Big tree intern” in the subject line to jobs [at] raincoast [dot] org, by June 2, 2023. Attach your one-page cover letter and a resume as a single PDF file – include your first and last name in the file title. Please include contact information for at least two references. The cover letter should express why you want this position and identify how you are qualified. We thank all applicants, but only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Raincoast welcomes applications from all interested and qualified candidates. Our organization is the product of diverse visions and perspectives and we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring. Raincoast is committed to fostering and maintaining a workplace culture that is inclusive and does not tolerate or accept discrimination or harassment.
You can help
Raincoast’s in-house scientists, collaborating graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors make us unique among conservation groups. We work with First Nations, academic institutions, government, and other NGOs to build support and inform decisions that protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the wildlife that depend on them. We conduct ethically applied, process-oriented, and hypothesis-driven research that has immediate and relevant utility for conservation deliberations and the collective body of scientific knowledge.
We investigate to understand coastal species and processes. We inform by bringing science to decision-makers and communities. We inspire action to protect wildlife and wildlife habitats.
