Position details: Full Time Contract (15 months)

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Assistant Conservation Biologist to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary

As the Assistant, Conservation Biologist – you will assist with conservation efforts across Ontario. You will work closely with NCC’s Coordinator, Conservation Biology to undertake property stewardship activities on NCC lands including habitat restoration, invasive species control, , and species at risk surveys.

This position will support the Director, Habitat Restoration (HRD), the Habitat Restoration Manager (HRM) and the Habitat Restoration Coordinator (HRC) in leading invasive species management projects that mitigate threats to habitat and species targets across Ontario with a focus on initiatives that benefit Ontario Region’s priority Natural Areas. The role will assist with the coordination of contractors, external partners, including NGOs, government agencies, Conservation Authorities, landowners and landowner groups, and other interest groups, to collaboratively manage invasive species at a landscape scale. The position will work closely with the HRM and HRC to deliver ongoing invasive species management projects in the Southern Norfolk Sand Plain including NCC’s Phragmites management programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Property Stewardship and Conservation Planning

• Assist in the implementation of recommended stewardship and management actions on NCC properties, with a focus on habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and other restoration activities;

• Support the implementation of landscape-scale control of invasive species, focusing on Phragmites in NCC’s Southern Norfolk Sand Plain Natural Area;

• Support the HRC in delivering a multi-stakeholder initiative to control Phragmites within the watersheds of the Long Point region;

• Lead the acquisition, maintenance and operation of specialized equipment related to invasive species management;

• Work to deliver on invasive species management priorities including control work, mapping and reporting.

• Assist to navigate, acquire and interpret government policy, necessary permits and ensure associated compliance to achieve tangible results on the ground;

• Provide project management and administrative support to the Habitat Restoration Program including internal conservation planning and tracking processes;

• Assist with reporting for HRP grants and partnership agreements.

• Other duties as assigned by the Director, Habitat Restoration.HRP stewardship equipment;

• Monitor the status of biodiversity targets (including species at risk) and threats and the effectiveness of conservation actions on NCC properties;

• Property Administration

• Ensure that NCC’s Land Resource Management System is populated with accurate and complete data, including required digital layers;

• Work with the Coordinator, Conservation Biology to ensure all liability issues are dealt with promptly and accurate records are maintained for insurance related matters;

• Support the Coordinator, Conservation Biology to ensure that conditions of all agreements (e.g. agricultural lease agreements) are administered in a timely fashion.

• Community and Partnership Liaison

• Foster and maintain positive relationships with landowners, lessees, volunteers, contractors, and local partners;

• Become a known presence on the ground at NCC properties to help deter unwanted behaviour and promote positive visitor interactions and compliance;

• Assist with property tours for donors, partners or the media.

• Represent NCC on specific committees and at meetings or workshops related to land management and conservation as required.

• Reporting & Business Planning

• Assist the Manager, Habitat Restoration and Coordinator, Habitat Restoration in the development of annual work plans and budgets for stewardship and science activities;

• Assist with providing timely reports as required to regional and national staff and Boards.

• Other

• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

• College diploma or University degree in natural resource management or related field in ecology, conservation biology or related discipline with 1-3 years related experience.
• Good botanical and wildlife inventory skills, experience using identification keys, and experience identifying invasive species and Species at Risk
• Demonstrated experience conducting independent and team fieldwork, comfortable working in wilderness settings and knowledge of field safety practices;
• Demonstrated interest and ability to carry out physical labour and work outdoors in all types of weather and environmental conditions;
• Previous experience with invasive species identification and control;
• Comfortable working with and around herbicides as part of regular job duties;
• Pesticide Exterminator License and an understanding of Integrated Pest Management practices or the ability to obtain;
• Demonstrated experience towing trailers and working with hand and power tools, large machinery, boats, tractors, ATVs and habitat restoration equipment;
• Valid Ontario Pleasure Craft Operators License and experience operating watercraft or the willingness and ability to obtain;
• Mechanical aptitude and resourcefulness to undertake minor/field repairs in order to maintain project timelines is considered a strong asset
• Must be prepared to travel throughout the program area, work flexible hours, including multi-day trips away from home in remote situations and weekend work.
• Navigational skills including understanding of GPS devices or applications, compass, and air photo interpretation;
• Project management skills, including excellent problem solving, planning and organizational skills, and attention to detail and timelines;
• Experience engaging with members of the public or volunteers;
• Experience in delivering land/resource management programs in a rural community.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and/or volunteers;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Proficient with word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet software.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite.
• Valid “G” Class Driver’s License.
• Valid first aid training an asset

The following additional skills and abilities would be assets in the position:

• Pesticide exterminator license;
• Standard First Aid – Level C CPR certification;
• Mechanical aptitude for maintaining and repairing equipment;
• Previous experience working with species at risk and maintaining confidential species at risk information;
• Experience implementing property or natural area management plans;

Experience in delivering land/resource management programs in a rural community

Application Deadline

December 5, 2025 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca.