Bear Management Technician

Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your resource management knowledge (including managing human-bear conflicts) in the field? Do you have strong problem-solving, communication and presentation skills? If so, consider this opportunity to join a professional team with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

With world class outdoor recreation, a relaxing lifestyle, excellent services and affordable real estate – Nipigon's got it all. Just one hour east of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Nipigon is a cozy, bustling town with convenient access to all the amenities and services that the hub of Northwestern Ontario has to offer. Nipigon is your ideal location.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:

• conduct operational field program activities that will include human-bear conflict management activities
• provide customer service to a wide array of internal and external clients on natural resources management related inquiries, which include managing/preventing human-bear conflict
• provide technical support and contribute to the implementation of other resource management programs and projects (e.g. compliance monitoring activities for natural resources management related legislation.

Note: You may be required to work shifts, weekends and statutory holidays as per schedule.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory requirements:

• You must have a valid class 'G' driver's licence or equivalent, as recognized by the Province of Ontario. The offer of employment is conditional upon the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's licence upon being hired.
• You possess, or have the ability to obtain valid First Aid & CPR certification.
• You have completed, or have the ability to complete the MNRF Problem Black Bear Management Course.
• You have completed, or have the ability to complete Black Bear Encounter Safety training.

Technical knowledge and skills:

• You have an understanding of resource management, human-bear conflict and ecological sustainability principles and practices to organize and conduct field inspections, surveys and projects.
• You have knowledge of standards and operating practices for information gathering (e.g. data collection and inventory techniques, data preparation and entry/digitizing).

Communication and interpersonal skills:

• You have the ability to respond to resource/industry and public inquiries, address concerns, make presentations, and represent the ministry effectively.

Analytical and problem-solving skills:

• You have the ability to determine the nature/extent of resource user compliance and human-bear conflict, as well as a recommended course of action.
• You have the ability to interpret and apply standards, policies and procedural guidelines and legislation.

Field equipment and operations:

• You have general knowledge of field equipment operation to perform field maintenance, adjustments and repairs (bear traps, GPS, vehicle, weather stations, outboard motors and boats, ATV's etc.)
• You have the ability to possess and properly operate firearms safely and accurately.

Planning and analytical skills:

• proven planning and coordinating skills
• demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills to make decisions and determine the nature/extent of resource user compliance and recommend course of action
• ability to interpret and apply standards, policies and procedural guidelines and legislation

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Monday, April 12, 2021 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.