PCM Wildlife Field Technician

Job Title

PCM Wildlife Field Technician

Pay Range: $20-$25/hour, based on experience

Classification:
Hourly

Type:
Temporary

Number of Hires Needed: 2

Locations:
Calgary, AB;
Red Deer, AB;
Brooks, AB; or Lethbridge, AB. Intermittent travel to and from Calgary, AB office required.

Tentative

Start Date:

mid-February 2026, or as needed.

mid-February to mid-November 2026, with possibility for extension. Work is temporary and an average of 30 hours per week.

• Carcass searches at operational wind or solar energy facilities;
• Other standard post-construction monitoring surveys at renewable energy facilities.
• Bat acoustic detector and/or thermal camera setup and maintenance;
• Other wildlife surveys (e.g., sharp-tailed grouse, breeding bird, bird migration, etc.)
• Raptor nest monitoring;
• Other ecological surveys (e.g., wetland, soil, and vegetation assessments);
• Field data QAQC, processing, and demobilization;
• Data entry and management;
• Weekly time sheet and expense report completion;
• Support reporting as needed: compiling tables and figures, report writing; and
• Office-based administrative assistance, as needed.

• Start survey work early in the morning (e.g., 5:00 AM);
• Demonstrate wildlife identification skills for bird and bat species;
• Live on-site, in a nearby field house, or in their own accommodation in a nearby town/city. The living arrangement will depend on project requirements and the candidate’s location;
• Work through weekends and holidays, as needed;
• Work overtime hours (i.e., more than 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week) whilst in the field, as needed;
• Work effectively either independently or in small crews;
• Demonstrate effective communication, organizational, and time management skills with site management and WEST supervisors;
• Willing and capable of walking up to 20 km per day in uneven or difficult terrain, up to 4 days per week, weekly, for the duration of the contract (nine months);
• Safely handle animal carcasses and parts ;
• Work in a range of environmental conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wind);
• Provide their own SUV or truck that is capable of passing a maintenance check and meets WEST’s insurance requirements;
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating a four-wheel drive vehicle in off-road conditions;
• Work around/in hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., livestock, dust, mud, snow, extreme heat and cold);
• Work in rattlesnake, grizzly bear, black bear, cougar, and wolf habitat;
• Work in areas with little to no cellphone signal, and utilize satellite and radio devices for regular communication as required by safety protocols;
• Operate and collect data on a tablet;
• Demonstrate due care of field equipment, vehicles, and office equipment;
• Collect quality legible field data, and adhere to administrative processes pertaining to fieldwork, safety, and HR;
• Work well under time constraint sand meet deliverable targets and deadlines; and
• Follow protocols and work efficiently.

• Legally allowed to work in Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or have an existing VISA with no work restrictions).
  Please note: US citizens require a Canadian work visa to work in Canada;
• Completed and received a relevant technical diploma or Bachelor’s degree in ecology, zoology, environmental science or management, or other related discipline;
• Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions;
• Able to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g., Enterprise);
• Able to obtain a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company
• Able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients;
• High level of initiative and ability to think critically to solve challenging problems;
• Capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements, outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment; and;
• Have durable steel-toed boots and hiking boots with a minimum 6-inch ankle (waterproof highly recommended), snake gaiters, and good quality binoculars (8x42 or 10x42). These pieces of field equipment will not be reimbursed by WEST.

• Experience…