Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Under the general direction of the Senior Wildlife Research Technician, provides assistance in the technical phases of rabies control programs and wildlife research.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Assisting the Sr. Wildlife Research Technician and other Wildlife Research Technicians with the technical duties and support during rabies research control programs and wildlife research projects:
• trap, vaccinate and release (TVR), point infection control (PIC) and wildlife oral vaccine surveillance (ONRAB, ERA);
• live trapping, vaccination, euthanizing, measuring, extracting teeth & blood from live wildlife;
• collecting biological samples and data from deer, moose or elk for chronic wasting disease surveillance;
• participate in general wildlife research projects (moose, bear, fur bearers, small mammals, avian, canine, feline, etc)
• collecting biological samples (carcasses, blood) from cooperators ensuring the safe handling procedures are followed;
• processing carcasses to obtain biological material for further analysis by MNR and other agencies, e.g., extracting reproductive tracts, ovaries, blood tissue, stomach contents, brain tissue, salivary glands, tooth and bone tissue, and counting uterine placental scars and properly storing such tissue in appropriate media in order to maintain integrity of samples;
• ensuring safe and proper disposal of refuse from carcasses after necropsy;
• packaging and transporting biological tissues in a safe manner, according to Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations, to laboratories such as Canadian Food Inspection Agency, cooperating universities;
• sectioning tissue using an isomet saw, mounting sections onto microscope slide;
• ensuring accurate data collection onto data sheets;
• preparing and distributing kits to cooperators for specimen collection;
• collecting specimens (raccoon, fox, skunk, or other fur bearer cadavers and tissue) from cooperators and return to central laboratory at regular (daily, weekly, monthly) intervals, as required.

Assisting with vaccine-bait aerial distribution by:
• transporting staff, equipment and supplies, and baits to baiting sites;
• re-packaging baits in freezer units and load baits into aircraft in preparation for bait distribution; disposing of all refuse in regulated manner;
• flying in aircraft and loading baits safely onto bait dropping machinery
• travel to jurisdictions where aerial baiting is being performed.

Other duties as assigned.

Staffing and Licencing :

• Valid “G” class drivers licence;
• Willingness to be vaccinated against the rabies virus;
• Capable of working in low altitude aircraft;(twin otter, beaver, helicopter)
• Willingness to be vaccinated against the rabies virus.

Knowledge :

Basic knowledge of wildlife research & management techniques & principles;
Knowledge of and ability to use general lab & field techniques including use of live traps, isomet saws, and autopsy equipment;
Basic knowledge of mammalian anatomy;
Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the OH&S Act.

Skills :

• Ability to work as a team member;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Freedom of Action :

Work is performed under the direction of the Sr. Rabies Technician, in accordance with predetermined methods and procedures.

Job requires ongoing updates to supervisor and other team members through regular meetings, discussions and periodic reviews to deal with project issues.

Project issues to be referred to supervisor on best method of resolution.

Work is regularly checked and monitored for progress by supervisor to ensure project objectives and timelines are met.