Job Description

Take the next step in your career by joining the team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and grow your experience in Conservation Research at a globally recognized conservation organization! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a full-time permanent Conservation Research Population Ecologist to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for project management, developing peer-reviewed publications, and reports related to conservation translocation programs. They will supervise and mentor associate research and field technician staff, provide guidance regarding program decisions to internal and external partners, and will take and inspire conservation actions. The Conservation Research Population Ecologist leads research to provide science-based advice to inform management decisions and/or the development of policies, guidelines, or best practices for species at risk. They will build and foster partnerships and collaborations with representatives from academia, government, industry, local community members, and other involved parties to advance the zoo\xe2\x80\x99s mission and vision. As the successful candidate, you will work within our Conservation Translocation portfolio with a focus on our Greater Sage Grouse project, however in the future you may be required to focus on other conservation species as needed.
Our Mission | Take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places Our Values | Effective collaboration and communication, honesty and integrity, customer focus, safety, and conservation

Job Responsibilities:

• Project management including adaptive and evidence-based decision-making involving consultation with internal departments and external agencies to develop and implement future project directions and strategies while meeting project objectives and timelines
• Build and foster partnerships and collaborations with representatives from academia, government agencies, industry, land holders, internal departments, and coordinate with other parties to advance projects or initiatives
• Lead research with the aim of publication in peer-review journals. This includes management and analysis of existing data for publication, design and development of new studies addressing current gaps in knowledge for Greater Sage-Grouse conservation, and supervision of on-going research in collaboration with external agencies
• Provide science-based advice to support management decisions and/or the development of policies, guidelines or best practices
• Participate or lead internal or external teams, working and advisory groups
• Communicate project results and progress to managers, executive team, communications team, media, researchers, and public audiences.
• Assist in the development of funding proposals, donor reports, and presentations and facilitate field site visits for donors and staff
• Financial responsibility for developing and managing project budget and monthly expense reporting
• Obtain research and fieldwork permits
• Train, supervise, direct work, and evaluate performance of project researcher, field technicians, volunteers, and/or students
• Assist with other departmental needs associated with conservation translocation and community-based conservation science as needed

Experience and Qualification Requirements:

• MSc in Biology or Zoology is required, PhD in Biology or Zoology is an asset
• Class 5 Driver\xe2\x80\x99s License
• 5+ years\xe2\x80\x99 experience in conservation biology or a related field
• Experience with biological fieldwork
• Experience with study design (e.g., habitat assessments, distance sampling, population modelling, spatial ecology, etc.) as well as collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting data
• Experience publishing peer-review scientific papers
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Experience supervising/mentoring
• Experience managing budgets and project/financial reporting
• Partnership management and ability to liaise with involved cross-sectoral parties
• Flexibility, adaptability, and responsive decision-making

Additional Requirements:

• All candidates must be eligible to work in Canada
• Class 5 driver\xe2\x80\x99s license

Working Conditions:

• Extensive office work involving long periods of sitting at computer work stations
• Although this position is primarily office-based in Calgary, this position will require periods of field-based work in rural Alberta and Saskatchewan
• Field conditions, working long, irregular hours in inclement weather
• Field work may involve hazards such as dangerous animals, insects, sunburn or frostbite, working with field equipment such as trucks or ATVs, heavy lifting of field equipment, exposure to wildlife diseases
• Driving on highways and dirt roads

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is no smoking environment including vaping. What We Offer:

• Competitive Compensation
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
• Employer matching RRSP
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit Program
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of animals from around the world

Are you ready to join one of Canada\xe2\x80\x99s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you. Apply by doing the following;

• Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewuP6xA-yiA)
• Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter no later than December 1, 2023. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization\xe2\x80\x99s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.