Ecological Field Technician

Job title: Ecological Field Technician

Reports to: Aquatics Program Manager

Job location: 314 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0, with fieldwork at various locations within the Annapolis River Watershed 

Wage: $21.00 / hour

Hours: 35 hours per week (15-week internship) 

Start Date: Expected May 11, 2026 

Number of Positions: 1

Employment Hiring 

Clean Foundation is committed to Employment Equity and our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes applications from qualified self-identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Racialized Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on our registration form. 

About the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program 

The Clean Leadership Summer Internship program helps grow the clean economy by matching interns (age 15-30) with employers for 9- and 15-week summer work placements. Participating interns will receive paid hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, take part in a professional development conference and training, while supporting local environmental projects.  

Program Requirements 

• Must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, person who has been granted refugee status in Canada or legally entitled to work in Canada;  

• Must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the start of internship; 

• From and/or will be residing in Nova Scotia for the duration of the internship; 

• Must not be an immediate family member of host employer; 

About the host employer 

The Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP) is a charitable non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the ecological health of the Annapolis River watershed for current and future generations through science, leadership and community engagement. The Ecological Field Technician position is based out of CARP’s office, which is located in Annapolis Royal, Annapolis County, NS. Fieldwork extends across the watershed, from Digby to Berwick, NS.

Summary of position  

In this position, you will be mainly responsible for assisting with planning and leading fieldwork related to CARP’s fish and wildlife habitat stewardship projects, and assisting with fieldwork for a variety of ecological monitoring and habitat restoration projects within the Annapolis River Watershed.  The successful candidate needs to have strong communication skills, the capacity to work outdoors in a variety of conditions and the ability to work well individually and as part of a team.

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Assist with riparian, wetland, in-stream and terrestrial habitat enhancement and/or restoration activities (e.g. livestock fencing, native tree and shrub planting, construction of in-stream habitat restoration structures including moving rock and pounding rebar, shoreline erosion and flood prevention measures, etc.).

• Assist with species at risk surveys and research (e.g. turtle surveys, breeding bird surveys, data entry, stewardship, nest protection).

• Fieldwork in various weather conditions (rain, heat, cold), and terrains (forest, wetland, watercourses).

• Scientific data entry on field cards, data sheets, and in computer.

• Help develop and deliver outreach, stewardship and educational activities (e.g. host events, presentations to local schools and community groups; help assist junior naturalist club).

• Ecological monitoring of aquatic health parameters (e.g. temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity) using water quality equipment.

• Travel by small boat in watercourses (canoe or aluminum boat with motor).

• Attend and participate in project meetings, monthly staff meetings and Board of Directors live update meeting(s).

• Equipment maintenance including proper cleaning and storing (e.g. muddy boots, nets, water quality instruments, radio tracking equipment etc.).

• Other fieldwork and office work as required from time to time. 

Requirements/Qualifications 

• Have an aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work environment;

• Be able to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback;

• Demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental or clean sector is considered an asset;

• Ability to do physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions and on varying terrains;

• Have strong communication and organization skills;

• Access to a vehicle is an asset but not a requirement;

• Pleasure Craft Operating Card and valid First Aid Certification is an asset;

• Previous fieldwork experience is an asset

Working Conditions 
The Ecological Field Technician will be required to work in the outdoors, sometimes in remote and challenging settings, and will be expected to complete physically demanding tasks on a regular basis. The Technician must be prepared to work in varying and unpredictable weather conditions and terrains.

Physical Requirements 
The Ecological Field Technician will be expected to complete physically demanding tasks on a regular basis. This includes walking long distances in difficult terrain to reach field sites and move between locations in the field, carrying equipment to and from field sites, using hand tools such as shovels, drills and sledgehammers to complete restoration work and working from both standing and kneeling positions for long periods of time.