Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation
Science Horizons Internship
Position: Benthic Biomonitoring Intern
Organization: Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation
Location: Goderich, Ontario (lab work in Formosa)
Employment Type: 6 months, fulltime
Salary: $12.00 / hour
The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation's (LHCCC) mission is to provide leadership and
expertise, in collaboration with partners, to achieve a healthy Lake Huron coastal ecosystem.
The Coastal Centre is an organization dedicated to the conservation of Lake Huron's natural
shoreline environment by preserving, protecting, restoring and improving the natural resources
and environment of Lake Huron.
About the Job:
This job is supported by Environment Canada’s Science Horizons Program.
Job Description
The successful candidate will be responsible for the thorough investigation of benthic macro
invertebrate communities in the nearshore zone along the southeast shores of Lake Huron. The
study will be an independent project with assistance available from an established project
mentor, Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority staff, and Coastal Centre staff.
Using established OBBN protocols this study will be expected to (1) provide further insights into
the changing nature of the Lake Huron ecosystem, (2) establish baseline data that can be used
to measure impacts of additional anthropogenic stressors, and (3) establish baseline data that
can be used to assess the benefits of coastal restoration and stewardship.
Specific questions to be answered by the study:
Which benthic-invertebrate taxa live in the near-shore zone of Lake Huron?
With what relative abundances are these taxa represented?
How similar are communities in three different habitat types (sand beach, cobble beach,
coastal wetland)?
How variable is community composition temporally throughout the summer and fall?
How important is within-site temporal variability relative to variability between sites
and between habitat types?
Required:
Post-Secondary Degree or Diploma
Ontario Benthic Biomonitoring Network Certification
Ontario G License & fulltime access to a car
Potential interns must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to participate in a project
which has been granted Science Horizons funding:
1. Are aged 30 years or under at the commencement of the internship;
2. Have graduated from a university, college, post-secondary school of technology, postsecondary institution or CEGEP (collège d’enseignement général et professionnel,
Québec);
3. Are legally entitled to work in Canada (includes individuals who are Canadian citizens,
those with permanent Canadian residency status, those with a valid Canadian work
permit to work on a full time basis, or persons who have been granted refugee status in
Canada);
4. Will not be in receipt of Employment Insurance during their internship; and
5. Will not be in school during their internship.
Necessary Experience / Skills:
Benthic macro invertebrate Identification skills (to Family Level is preferred)
Ability to follow lab procedures and safety protocols as described by Saugeen Valley
Conservation Authority
Data analysis
Experience writing research reports and communicating study results
Ability to work alone, in the field and in a lab while following strict health and safety
protocols.
Ability to prepare a detailed work plan and stay on schedule with little supervision
Ability to work at a high level of professionalism and communicate with supervisors and
mentors
WHMIS training
Access to a vehicle
Interested applications should send a cover letter and resume by email to
Karen Alexander
Outreach and Education Coordinator
karen.alexander@lakehuron.on.ca
Application Deadline: June 21, 2013
We appreciate all applications but will only be contacting those we select for an interview.