Aquatic Monitoring Technician

Apply By:
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Provincial Services Division - Biodiversity and Monitoring Section (BAMS)

City:
North Bay

Position(s) language:

Job term: 1 Temporary assignment/contract for up to 6 months, with the possibility of extension

Job code: $27.49 - $30.60 Per hour
* * Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

AMENDMENT:
Please note that the location has been updated to North Bay.

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.

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

• a defined benefit pension plan
• comprehensive health plan
• life and disability insurance
• flexible work arrangements
• collegial and professional work culture
• career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• on-the-job training to support your success in the role

In this role, 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

• 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 must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Pleasure Craft Operator's Card.
• You must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid MED-DVS Certificate.
• You must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Small Vessel Operator Proficiency.

• 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 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 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.

• 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 with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable ministry policies and procedures.
• You have proven leadership skills to assign daily work, monitor the quality and quantity of work, and report on progress.

• You have proven 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.

• 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).

• 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…