Conservation Officer (Canada Summer Jobs)

Prime Earth is hiring Conservation Officers for a summer position in Burlington, ON, Canada. The role involves planning and leading conservation projects, mentoring youth, and enhancing community engagement. Responsibilities include project planning, youth engagement, stakeholder coordination, data collection, and team collaboration. Candidates should have a background in Environmental Science or related fields, with skills in project management and communication. This position focuses on habitat restoration and promoting sustainability.
Conservation Officers at Prime Earth play a pivotal role in planning, implementing, leading, and reporting on conservation projects designed to restore habitats, empower youth, and enhance community engagement in alignment with the organization’s mission.

This summer, Conservation Officers will take on key responsibilities leading and mentoring youth participants in a variety of impactful projects, including habitat restoration, urban greenspace tree planting, cattail plantings, and environmental clean-ups. These efforts will contribute directly to fostering environmental stewardship and promoting sustainable practices within our community.

This role calls for dynamic, passionate individuals with a commitment to conservation, strong skills in project planning and execution, and a genuine enthusiasm for mentoring and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders. Conservation Officers will collaborate effectively to ensure the success of restoration activities while providing youth participants with a meaningful and educational experience.

Job Tasks & Responsibilities Include:

[1] Project Planning and Implementation:
• Develop detailed work plans for tree planting planting projects
• Coordinate logistical arrangements such as transportation, equipment procurement, and material acquisition with team members and planting partners.
• Conduct on-site leadership to guide the implementation of conservation projects.​

[2] Youth Engagement & Mentoring:​
• Serve as mentors to youth participants, providing guidance and fostering interest in conservation and environmental stewardship.
• Develop and deliver hands-on, conservation-focused activities to inspire and educate youth participants following our educational curriculum.​​

[3] Stakeholder Coordination:​​
• Liaise with landowners, community members, and local partners to facilitate project success.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with volunteers, ensuring clear communication and a welcoming environment.​

[4] Data Collection and Reporting:
• Document project activities and outcomes, including detailed site reports, plant survival rates, and participant engagement metrics.
• Use GIS mapping and tools like GoogleEarthPro to create visual representations of project impact.

[5] Team Collaboration:
• Work closely with fellow Conservation Officers and Prime Earth Team Members to share best practices, address challenges, and achieve project goals.
• Provide input during team meetings to refine project implementation strategies.

Qualifications:
• Currently pursuing or completed a college diploma or university degree in Environmental Science, Conservation, Biology, Sustainability, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing conservation projects, including habitat restoration and urban greening initiatives.
• Proficient knowledge of current environmental issues, biodiversity, human-animal relations, and climate change.
• Skilled in using GIS, GoogleEarthPro, and other mapping tools to support conservation planning and reporting.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, including report writing and public speaking, with the ability to translate scientific concepts for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems creatively, troubleshoot effectively, and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Passionate about conservation, community service, and the natural environment, with the ability to inspire and engage others.
• Experience mentoring or working with youth in conservation or educational settings is highly desirable.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Ability to provide or secure own transportation to and from project sites.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Prime Earth’s mission.

Eligibility:

This position is dependent on funding through the federal Canada Summer Jobs Grant program. As per the program requirements, youth hired must meet the following criteria:
• Be between 15 – 30 years of age at the start of the employment. The youth must be 15 years of age at the beginning of the employment period. The youth may be more than 30 years of age at the end of the employment period as long as the youth was 30 at the beginning of the employment period.
• 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.
• 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.
• Be available to work the full work term May – August 2025.

This position will include work from home and in-person activities. Candidates must have access to a reliable internet connection, computer, phone, and transportation to/from field-sites to fulfill this job position.

Recent immigrant and/or refugee youth, Indigenous youth, youth from visible minorities, LGBTQIA2S+ youth, and women in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please be sure you familiarize yourself with our organization before you apply.

Learn more about our hiring process at www.prime-earth.org/join-our-team

Qualified candidates are invited to email their cover letter and resume in one PDF to our hiring team (resumes without an accompanying cover letter will not be considered).

Applications received by 5:00pm EST on April 10, 2025 will be considered.

Thank you to all who apply. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Prime Earth is an equal opportunity employer and an affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity, support it, and thrive on the benefits people’s similarities and differences bring to our programs, services, and community when humans respectfully come together. We’re also committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. Modifications to ensure accessibility for everyone are possible during any phase of the evaluation process; simply contact us. All information will be kept confidential.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal
Contract length: 14 weeks

Pay: $17.20 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Schedule:
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:
• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:
• GIS training (coursework) or: 1 year (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Burlington, ON

Application deadline: 2025-04-10
Expected start date: 2025-05-05