Position Title: Data Technician

Position Level:4

Position Type: Full time, Term

Term: June 30 to August 22, 2025

Program:Alberta Bat Program

Salary:$25.22 per hour plus 8% vacation pay

Position Location: Remote in Edmonton, AB.

Date Written/Revised: June 6, 2025

Reports To: Cory Olson, Alberta Bat Program Coordinator

Supervises (Direct supervision only): N/A

Start date: June 30, 2025

Position Contact: Cory Olson, Alberta Bat Program Coordinator and Dana Blouin, Program Manager

Benefits: Vacation pay, Paid sick and Personal Emergency Leave, Paid Holidays, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Discount Programs, Weekly Wellness sessions.

Application Closing Date: June 16, 2025 at 6pm EST.

Position Summary

The Wildlife Biology Technician will work in a team setting to develop digital tools to advance the conservation of bats in Alberta. This will involve researching, collating information sources, habitat modelling using GIS, basic reporting, and other communications activities. The student will be supported by a team of experienced biologists to develop a GIS-based model that can be used to help predict winter hibernation locations for bats.

This role may include other activities related to bat conservation in western Canada, such as developing communication materials (graphics, brochures), data management, assisting with field research activities, and assisting with public education and outreach events. Project tasks will be adapted based on abilities, and to allow the technician to develop skills relevant to applicants' career aspirations.

Position Objectives

• To develop digital tools to advance conservation of bats in Alberta.
• Develop a GIS-based model that can be used to predict winter hibernation locations for bats.

Principal Responsibilities

• Conduct a literature review to compile the best available information on winter habitat modelling for bats and related wildlife.
• Review existing habitat models to determine if they can be adapted for project use.
• Acquire and organize spatial datasets relevant to the project
• Work collaboratively with the project team to review and develop a GIS-based habitat model.
• Create maps and other visualizations in QGIS, ArcGIS, and/or related software, to support reports, presentations, and project communication.
• Summarize methods, findings and outcomes in a brief report, and organize datasets, to ensure outcomes will contribute to the broader research objectives after the position ends.
• Contribute to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that promotes engagement and belonging.
• Support WCS Canadas goal of transforming WCS Canadas conservation practice through reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
• Additional responsibilities may include:
  • Developing communication materials (graphics, brochures)
  • Handling data management
  • Assisting with field research activities
  • Supporting public education and outreach activities

Preferred Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Post-secondary student in the data analysis, GIS, or Biology field.
• Strong understanding of geospatial analysis tools, including AGIS or ArcGIS.
• Understanding of habitat modelling and how geospatial datasets are acquired.
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail.
• Strong interest in disciplines related to landscape ecology, conservation and wildlife Biology.
• Applicant must be a Canadian citizen (funder restricted).
  
• Applicant must be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the time of application (funder restricted).

Preferred Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Demonstrated competence or advanced course work related to GIS analysis is desirable.
  
• Strong communication skills, including digital graphics design, is desirable but not mandatory.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV with a cover letter explaining your interest in this position and relevant skills and experience.

For questions regarding the position, please contact Cory Olson at [email protected] or Dana Blouin at [email protected].

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Okechukwu Ezibe at [email protected]

Application Closing Date: June 16, 2025 at 5pm EST.

WCS Canada is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to ensure that all candidates have a fair and equitable experience throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact Okechukwu Ezibe [email protected] or by phone at 437-770-2776. We will work with you to meet your accessibility needs in accordance with applicable legislation.

About WCS Canada

WCS Canada (www.wcscanada.org) was established as a Canadian conservation organization in July 2004. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, and equal opportunity. Our mission is to save wildlife and wild places by improving our understanding of and seeking solutions to critical problems that threaten key species and large wild ecosystems throughout Canada. We implement and support comprehensive field studies that gather information on wildlife needs and then seek to resolve key conservation problems by working with a broad array of actors. WCS Canada has a track record of our science being recognized as relevant, credible and legitimate by researchers, NGOs and agencies. WCS Canada is independently registered and managed, while retaining a strong collaborative working relationship with sister Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) programs in more than 60 countries.

Diversity and inclusion are core WCS Canada values. We value the diversity of the people we employ and work with and we strive to provide an inclusive and equitable workplace in which we recognize the unique characteristics, skills and experiences of all employees. We are committed to engaging our employees in our diversity, equity and inclusion work and together we aim to create a workplace where all staff feel they belong and can grow.

WCS Canadas programs occur on the homelands of Indigenous Peoples whose relationships various governments are described in historic Treaties, modern land claim agreements, and negotiations around unceded lands. We recognize and support Indigenous Peoples in Indigenous-led conservation initiatives as well as the international ecological and social commitments and responsibilities to Indigenous Peoples that Canada has signed, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Our commitment to collaboration with Indigenous Peoples ranges from provision of scientific advice to co-creation of research and conservation priorities. We respect Indigenous knowledge systems and include Indigenous ways of knowing in research and conservation programs. We engage in land use planning and impact assessment processes that affect Indigenous Peoples, seeking ways to advance conservation as well as opportunities to sustain the livelihoods and cultures of Indigenous communities. We seek to motivate positive conservation outcomes by supporting effective governance and decision-making processes by Indigenous communities, particularly by supporting Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas.

WCS Canada is committed to contributing to the field of conservation science and the professional development of its employees. Employees are encouraged to participate in professional societies and present their research at conferences and meetings, as well as participate in relevant workshops and training opportunities. Employees are likewise encouraged to mentor graduate students, participate in relevant graduate student committees, and pursue adjunct status with universities as appropriate.