Field Foreman – Watershed Restoration
Please note: this position is pending funding
Location:
Salary:
Status:
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Depends on Experience
Part-time, Temporary (May 2015 – September 31, 2015)
The Clean Nova Scotia Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that started
in 1988. We work in vital environmental areas like energy, water, transportation and
waste. The Clean Foundation provides the knowledge, tools and inspiration needed to
encourage the individual actions that add up to positive environmental change. We
partner with individual citizens, governments, organizations, communities and businesses
to find environmental solutions.
You may know us as Clean Nova Scotia, but we work across Atlantic Canada, throughout
the traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik. Our local roots are going global,
exploring how our knowledge and experience can be used in other countries, including
nations in the developing world. That’s why we say we’re just Clean.
We are currently seeking a hardworking, dynamic and motivated individual to add to our
team who has a strong passion for people and the environment. Our approach is always
collaborative and team oriented. In this stimulating role of Field Foreman – Watershed
Restoration you will report to the Program Coordinator - Water.
Project Overview:
The Watershed Restoration project at Clean has conducted habitat restoration work in
local watersheds since 2006. During that time, Clean restored over 13,500 square meters
of fish habitat while also developing close partnerships within the greater stream and
watershed restoration community in Nova Scotia.
Throughout the 2015 field season, Clean will restore damaged fish habitat, remove
downed trees and other debris currently blocking these waterways, and install in-stream
structures – all of which will significantly improve the health of the ecosystem as a whole.
In addition to direct, in-stream restoration work, the Watershed Restoration Project will
also engage in outreach and education activities throughout the season. Our aim is to
help the local community understand the value and fragility of their watershed. We also
want to educate community members on ways they can protect and conserve these
critical ecosystems.
Position Overview:
The Field Foreman will be responsible specifically for the planning, implementation, and
monitoring of the watershed restoration field work. Fieldwork may include installing instream structures, performing fish habitat assessments, culvert surveys, debris removal,
tree planting, water quality monitoring, and habitat fragmentation consolidation, and may
include the use of a chainsaw.
The Field Foreman will be responsible for overseeing the technical restoration work
conducted in the field. This includes designing and carrying out the restoration work, often
working in wet/rainy and potentially slippery conditions, in and around streams, rivers and
lakes. The Foreman will also be responsible for collecting rigorous scientific field data,
entering, organizing, managing and quality checking these data, synthesizing data,
writing reports, and developing plans for future restoration work.
The Field Foreman will also support the education and outreach goals of the Watershed
Restoration Project. Due to the Field Foreman’s likely engagement with children through
the project’s outreach activities, Clean will require the successful candidate to complete
a thorough background check. They will also be required to provide a Driver’s Abstract
from the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
The successful candidate must be comfortable working in rainy/wet and potentially
slippery conditions, as well as in and around streams, rivers and lakes. This position
will require the Field Foreman to perform physically demanding activities such as,
installing in-stream structures, moving and lifting heavy logs, plants, gravel, mulch and
boulders, and swinging a sledge hammer to install rebar to secure in-stream structures.
They will also be asked to support the administrative needs, such as data entry,
management and analysis, and report writing, of the project as required.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
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Coordinate, lead and deliver the Watershed Restoration field work;
Deliver watershed restoration project plans, goals and objectives through field
work;
Develop and lead safety practices and ensure field team adheres to safety
protocols;
Ensure best practices are met in field restoration work;
Develop and manage timelines to ensure deliverables are met on time;
Enter, manage and analyze data;
Supervise and support additional field staff or volunteers working in the
watershed restoration project;
Acquire necessary permits and approvals;
Assist in the organization of community planting/invasive species removal
events;
Liaise with community residents;
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Work with Water Coordinator and Safety Officer to ensure field team is adhering
to Clean’s Occupational Health and Safety standards and procedures;
Perform fish habitat assessments, culvert surveys, debris removal, tree planting,
water quality monitoring, and habitat fragmentation consolidation;
Research and develop curriculum, educational materials and outreach activities;
Administrative duties in support of the Water team, including report and proposal
writing.
Position Requirements/Qualifications:
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Degree or diploma in biology, environmental science, aquatic ecology, or related
field;
Experience working in a related field;
Strong organizational and time management skill;
Strong teamwork and leadership skills;
Strong written and oral communication skills;
Ability to conduct physically demanding work outdoors, for extended periods of
time and in adverse weather conditions;
Ability to lift 50 lbs;
Valid Canadian driver’s license;
Must demonstrate a passion for the environment;
Must be able to complete and pass a criminal background check;
Must be able to provide a Driver’s Abstract from the Registry of Motor Vehicle;
Must be a Canadian citizen or legally entitled to work in Canada;
Knowledge of the watersheds and navigation in the area of Dartmouth
considered an asset;
Experience in fish habitat restoration is considered an asset;
Experience in environmental education considered an asset;
Experience or training with GIS techniques is considered an asset;
Experience or training with ESRI GIS computer software considered an asset;
Experience working in a non-profit organization is considered an asset.
Valid First Aid and WHIMIS would be considered an asset.
If you are interested in this position please submit your cover letter and resume, merged
into one document, via email to Mary Christopher, mchristopher@clean.ns.ca by April 19,
2015. We appreciate all interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be
contacted. This position is pending funding.
Clean is committed to Employment Equity and our goal is to be a diverse workforce that
is representative at all job levels. We welcome applicants from Aboriginal People,
Visible Minority Groups, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations of
positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of the equity
groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on either your cover letter or resume.