EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society

JOB TITLE:  Invasive Species Program Assistant

JOB REFERENCE:  #001

LOCATION: Columbia-Shuswap

CLOSING DATE: March 4, 2019

EMPLOYMENT DURATION: 4-month (May-August),  30-35hrs/week, wage $16.30/hour (pending funding),

POSITIONS: 1-2 positions (pending funding)

JOB LOCATION:  Worksites within the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. Main office in Revelstoke, BC but travel required for position throughout the CSRD.

The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteer members representing private & public agencies, clubs and organizations in the Columbia-Shuswap Region of British Columbia. Members of the society are dedicated to increasing awareness of invasive species and associated losses caused to the natural and domestic resources of our Region. The Society performs invasive species inventory, treatment programs, promotes best management practices, and coordinates invasive species action, education and awareness activities throughout the Columbia-Shuswap Region.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the CSISS Executive Director and Program Coordinators, the Program Assistant will be responsible for carrying out various functions of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society’s programs, including assisting with terrestrial and aquatic field programs, developing and delivering educational programs including local events, workshops and activities, as well as working with stakeholders, to ensure a coordinated approach to invasive species management in the region. A program assistant may be assigned to work primarily under a specific Program Coordinator (Field/Aquatic/Outreach) and be primarily working on one program. The Invasive Species Program Assistant will work in rural communities with a variety of stakeholders, including First Nations partners, the Invasive Species Council of BC, local governments, community groups, and others.

The base of operation will be located in the Columbia-Shuswap, and main office in Revelstoke, with extensive travel throughout the region. Regular team meetings will occur weekly in Revelstoke, BC. Although this will be full-time throughout the length of the term, work hours may fluctuate with weather and project demands.

Important Information:

• Only candidates considered for positions will be contacted.
• All candidates selected for an interview must be available for one-hour phone or in-person interview between March 18^th– April 5, 2019.
• Successful candidates for Job Reference 001 will be contacted in April (pending funding) and must be available to start May 6^th 2019.

Please send any questions to info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org

 JOB DUTIES:

• Work with Executive Director, Program Coordinators and other CSISS staff to deliver Invasive Species Terrestrial, Aquatic and Outreach programs as described in the CSISS Work plan
• Help to deliver CSISS events and training programs throughout the region, including the delivery of Plant Wise, Clean Drain Dry, Play Clean Go, and Don’t Let It Loose outreach programs
• Work with Executive Director to build relationships with First Nations and other stakeholders in the region to enhance collaboration on invasive species issues
• Assist with invasive species inventories (plants / aquatic sampling for Zebra Quagga mussels), invasive plant mechanical treatments, and InvasiveAlien Plant Program (IAPP) data collection
• Track and report on successes of program

SKILLS REQUIRED:

 The Program Assistant will be engaging with partners and the public on a daily basis and therefore need to be energetic, positive, outgoing, and confident. Successful candidates must be self-motivated, highly organized, responsible, and work well in a team. All applicants must have completed Grade 12 or equivalent and preference to those who have are or are completing a relevant post-secondary program.  All activities are physically demanding.

Ideally, you will have a strong combination of the following skills:

• Knowledge of invasive species;
• Ability to engage effectively with members of the public;
• Strong motivational skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience and interest in delivering public presentations and information-booths (comfortable and skilled at speaking with the public);
• Experience working with youth and/or community groups;
• Experience conducting plant or water surveys and field work;
• Enjoy working outdoors in variable field conditions;
• Enjoy physically challenging work such as mechanical invasive plant treatments;
• Comfortable working in remote settings;
• Experience driving with long days and distances;
• Experience working around water and watercraft, and;
• Willingness to travel, and work weekends.

Additional Assets:

• Have or are working towards a technical certificate or degree in natural resource science;
• Social media skills;
• Experience with iPads, GIS Mapping software and Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and Power Point;
• Experience in data collection, organization and management; and
• Experience with report writing.

Applicants MUST Possess:

• Current Worksafe BC OFA Level 1 or equivalent First Aid certification; and
• A valid BC driver’s license with 3 years Driving record and claims history

Applicants must be eligible to participate in the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) initiative (requirements listed below):

To be eligible, youth must:

• be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment*; and,
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

The program’s broader objectives as part of the Youth Employment Strategy are to improve the labour market participation of Canadian youth. *International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

APPLICATION PACKAGE – MANDATORY ITEMS:

Please include the following items in your application package (one PDF document combined 1, 2, and 3):

1. Cover letter clearly stating:

• The Job Reference # you would like to be considered for,
• Your qualifications, relevant skills and experience,
• Preference for aquatic or terrestrial based work,
• Confirmed eligibility for Canada Summer Jobs Program.

1. Resume, including two references (phone numbers)

3. Driver’s abstract with 3 years clean driving record and claims history (Link for ICBC: https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Pages/Your-driving-record.aspx )

Please submit your application package no later than March 4th, 2019 to:

Robyn Hooper, Executive Director, Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society

Email to: info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org