Job Opportunity: Junior Research Assistant, Silviculture Innovation Program
We are hiring!
Position Title: Junior Research Assistant, Silviculture Innovation Program
Reports To: Lead Research Scientist
Status: Full-time, temporary
Location: Smithers, British Columbia
Salary: Starting at $22/hr plus 4% vacation pay
Start Date: May – August 30th, 2024
Application Closing Date: March 22, 2024
Who we are:
The Bulkley Valley Research Centre (BVRC) is a research hub based in Smithers, British Columbia (BC) within Gitdumden Clan Territory of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. The BVRC is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 2002 with a mission to support high-quality, inter-disciplinary research that informs natural resource management in BC. The BVRC undertakes research and learning to support decisions, promote discussion, learning and adaptation to meet the natural resource challenges of the 21st century. The BVRC connects scientists, First Nations, all levels of governments, resource managers, industry, and community members to address the stewardship of our natural resources. The BVRC facilitates research programs, extensions services, and knowledge dissemination.
Our research initiatives are often multi-year and collaborative. The BVRC provides a single point of contact for a diversity of perspectives to meet and engage. The BVRC has an interdisciplinary emphasis, and research projects draw from and combine expertise. In addition to the valuable knowledge generated through long-standing research programs, the BVRC has served as an incubator for the establishment of initiatives such as the Skeena Knowledge Trust and the Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust, and now the new Silviculture Innovation Program. The BVRC connects researchers with each other and the wider community through seminar series, workshops, conferences, and other networking events.
The BVRC is managed by an Executive Director and administrative staff, with research scientists and technicians running programs and projects, overseen by an active Board of Directors.
Silviculture Innovation Program
The Silviculture Innovation Program is a BVRC initiative that supports meeting the knowledge and extension needs to shift harvesting in BC to promote managing forests for multiple values. To guide forest practices in BC that enhance forest resiliency, ecosystem health and climate change adaptation, the Silviculture Innovation Program (SIP) will support research, extension and collaboration across a diverse network of researchers, First Nations, governments, academia, and communities. The Silviculture Innovation Program is overseen by a Scientific Advisory Group, with an Operations Team leading decision-making and a Program Manager leading implementation.
Position summary:
The BVRC is seeking a motivated Junior Research Assistant to support field-based data collection in summer 2024 in support of the SIP.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Collect data on trees, woody debris and wildlife habitat values,
- Help establish a wildlife monitoring network of camera traps and acoustic recording units,
- Support the field research team in all aspects of field work (preparation, data collection and
sample processing).
Candidate Profile:
Any background and interest in the intersection between natural resource management and forestry with forest ecology, cultural resources, wildlife biology, or other.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Strong interest in and commitment to strategic goals of the BVRC and SIP
- Thrives and able to support others to thrive in difficult outdoor work settings, including
remote terrain, and all-weather conditions - Valid BC class 5 drivers license with experience on forest industry roads
- Interest in learning how to use and maintain forest mensuration and wildlife monitoring
equipment - Curiosity and desire to learn and help others learn
- An adherence to the highest standards of safety
Complexity/Problem solving:
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and working environments
Communications/Interpersonal Skills:
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to collaborate with a diverse group of individuals in close working conditions
Terms of Employment:
This is a full-time (40 hours/week), temporary position from May 2024 – August 30th, 2024 (start date is negotiable). The starting salary is $22/hr, plus 4% vacation pay, commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience. We are flexible in our employment approach for this role and would consider a term employment or contract relationship. This position is based in Smithers, BC, but the successful candidate should be prepared to travel across the central interior of BC. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
Additional Information:
At the BVRC, we value diversity — in backgrounds and in experience. A diverse team enables the Centre to better achieve its objective of supporting research and extension in the public interest. BVRC is an equal opportunity employer and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in science. We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that are underrepresented and/or historically excluded from these sectors to apply.
While not a requirement for this position, please note in your application if you are aged 30 years or younger, which would support funding opportunities through the Canadian government.
Apply:
To explore this opportunity further, please send a cover letter and resume with title formats as follows:
Resume: “(Last Name) (First Name) – Resume”
Cover letter: “(Last Name) (First Name) – Cover letter”
Email subject: “[Your Name] – Application for SIP Junior Research Assistant”
Email to: sip.manager@bvcentre.ca.
Closing Date: March 22, 2024
We appreciate all applications, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.