Ontario Public Service Careers

If you have strong technical skills and a fondness for aquatics biology, a unique opportunity exists within the area, working under the general supervision of the Science Operations Supervisor, and in a team environment with the Biodiversity and Monitoring Section (BAMS), with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

South Porcupine is a fantastic community about 15 km east of the City of Timmins located approximately 700 kms North of Toronto, and is situated on Porcupine Lake in Northeastern Ontario. The Timmins area offers a variety of natural, cultural and recreational diversions. Building on its solid industrial foundation, this growing community welcomes new business and offers ample opportunity. Fresh northern air, outdoor adventure and incredible hospitality awaits you in South Porcupine!

About the job

You will:

• collect data and information on fish communities and aquatic environments (Broad Scale Fisheries Monitoring)
• provide regional aquatics support to district and regional offices
• direct and supervise assessment crews conducting field data collection programs
• provide training and workshops to staff in all aspects of aquatics such as sampling gear training - gill nets, plankton hauls, identification of fish species, develop sampling techniques, and field routines; general aquatics field training, fish netting, fish sampling, and fish aging techniques
• perform technical duties such as gathering, assembling and compiling technical information
• prepare reports, posters, brochures and field manuals
• prepare budgets, monitor, audit and report on crew/contractor performance

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements:

• You must possess a valid driver's licence to conduct field work and travel throughout the program area.
• You must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
• You must possess or have the ability to obtain a Marine Emergency Duties (MED).
• You must possess or have the ability to obtain a Small Vessel Operating Proficiency (SVOP) certificate for vessel operation.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• You have proven knowledge and experience to safely conduct aquatic science field and laboratory work including safe boat operations, maintaining fishing gear (i.e. gill, trap, seine, hydro-acoustics, electrofishing), performing laboratory and field samples preparation and analysis (i.e. stable isotope preparation, fish aging, fish and invertebrate identification).
• You have field experience with a demonstrated ability to use and maintain aquatic ecosystem sampling equipment, including boats, motors, ATVs and trailers.
• You have proven experience with computers and software to perform data management activities related to field collections including carrying out data collection, data entry, word processing and basic data entry and data management.
• You have the ability to follow ministry and related policies and procedures (i.e. Occupational Health and Safety Act) to safely conduct field and laboratory work.

Leadership skills:

• You have team leadership skills to train, direct and supervise crews comprised of contract staff, students and volunteers, and ensuring that work is conducted to quality standards and staff operate in accordance to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable ministry policies and procedures.
• You can monitor and ensure that support staff are trained and proficient with all aspects of sampling gear (e.g. gill nets, plankton hauls) and the identification of fish species to develop sound sampling techniques and field routines.
• You have proven leadership skills to assign daily work, monitor the quality and quantity of work, and report on progress.

Analytical and problem solving skills:

• You have excellent analytical and problem solving skills to make project-level decisions and determine nature and extent of deviations from existing data collection standards and protocols, and recommend corrective action.
• You can interpret standards, policies and procedural guidelines, acts and regulations to determine approaches and solve issues, and apply to program operations in field conditions (e.g. net location changes).
• You have sound decision making skills and experience resolving technical problems in operational field situations by gathering/analyzing information on site, determining options, selecting a course of action and documenting position/rationale (e.g. carrying out a standardized index netting program on a remote lake).

Planning and coordinating skills

• You have proven planning and coordinating skills to organize, schedule and coordinate crew and equipment resources (e.g. boats/motors, accommodations, vehicle transportation) for various field projects (e.g. conducting an index gill netting program on a high profile lake).

Interpersonal and communication skills:

• You have well developed interpersonal skills to deal with requests and concerns of internal and external clients (e.g. tourist outfitters, consultants and other MNRF staff).
• You can respond to inquiries by providing oral and written information on matters (such as reports, resource data and maps).
• You have demonstrated communication skills to make presentations, and share information with professional staff and clients in resource management programs to promote partnerships and further understanding of projects.
• You can present information and ideas with tact when working with contractors and consultants.

Aquatic Monitoring Technician