Competition: 2090-CMN-24-OC-071
Term: 16 weeks, May to August 2025
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
Work location: Canada Museum of Nature, 1740 Pink Road, Gatineau
Number of positions: 2
Closing date: January 20th, 2025

As Canada’s largest natural history museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) has a responsibility and obligation to protect and conserve habitat under its care. These habitats include 76 hectares of mixed forest in Gatineau (Aylmer), Québec and a wetland in Osgoode Township, Ontario.

The CMN Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) began with two environmental assessments and continued with two types of monitoring – biological and hydrogeological – from 1998 to the present. Detailed information was collected about the following groups: lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, craneflies, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals. A series of hydrogeological monitoring wells was installed for a complete picture of groundwater flow and seasonal/annual water table change. Ongoing monitoring documents changes since the first surveys.

The main tasks for this position include:

• Biological monitoring of fauna and flora at the Natural Heritage Campus (NHC) in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau and the Osgoode sites, collection of voucher specimens, documentation and control of invasive species.
• GIS using ArcMap 10, QGIS 3.28, and database maintenance;
• Writing weekly social media blogs as well as more in-depth monthly blogs for the museum website;
• Engagement with CMN staff during Work in the Woods days and Know your Pond events.

Working Conditions:

• Candidates will be required to work in the field in most weather conditions as well as in common office and laboratory spaces at the NHC.

Your place at the Museum

We value diversity and believe we benefit from working in a place where everyone feels included and where the unique qualities and strengths inherent in a diverse workforce are combined. We welcome applications from persons who may identify as a member of one or more other equity seeking groups (for e.g. visible minorities, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+, religious or cultural minority).

You have a place at the Museum!

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must meet the following basic requirements:

• Enrolled in full-time post-secondary program in Biology, Geography (or a related field); candidates must be registered to return to their full-time studies in Fall 2025;
• Ability to speak and write in English or French is essential
• Show initiative and be able to work both independently as well as in a team
• Physical fitness is necessary as the field work is often strenuous

The following qualifications are considered an asset:

• Formal training in entomology or GIS and other computer software knowledge
• Prior experience in field work / GIS projects / environmental education and biological surveys
• Interest and experience in museums or other scientific institutions

Please note that this is a full time position, during weekday hours only.

SALARY: Rates of pay are determined at the initial appointment or reappointment stage and are based on the incumbent’s current academic level as per the museum’s terms and conditions of employment for students. The official working period is from Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 16:00.

NOTE: Canadian citizenship is not required however individuals must be legally entitled to work in Canada. The Canadian Museum of Nature is committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, please advise the Human Resources Advisor in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

For more information regarding the position, please contact: Paul Sokoloff (psokoloff@nature.ca) or Sarah Steele (ssteele@nature.ca)

INTERESTED CANDIDATES must send their application by filling in the form on the Museum’s Careers page where they can upload their cover letter, their latest transcript, curriculum vitae and any other required documents by no later than January 20th, 2025.