Conservation Operations Assistant

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Conservation Operations Assistant to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Purpose and General Description:

The Conservation Operations Assistant role is an important member of the team, primarily supporting conservation operations, with a focus on the implementation of Property Management Plans. Externally, they will liaise with partners and volunteers and represent NCC in local communities. Internally, they will work closely and cooperatively with other Conservation Operations and Regional team members. The role involves technical and operational/administrative work as well as travel and independent fieldwork.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Property Management Plan implementation

• Complete land management tasks such as removing invasive species, installing signage, site cleanup and refuse removal and fence line maintenance.
• Engaging contractors to do work such as fence line construction, building demolition, earthworks etc. on NCC lands.
• Assist with administration and monitoring agricultural use agreements with local producers.
• Implement ecosystem restoration as guided by NCCs Property Management Plans and Multi-Species At Risk Plans, including grassland and riparian area restoration, woody encroachment control, invasive species management, and hydrological restoration. Assist with forest restoration ie: planting, watering, weeding trees, maintenance of tree planting sites. Assist with grassland restoration ie: seed collection, site prep, weed management;
• Maintain Wildland Fire Management credentials.
• Maintain Pesticide Applicators License.

Adaptive Management, Monitoring & Reporting

• Conduct surveys and assessments of the status of ecosystems and species on NCC sites and the effectiveness of conservation actions.
• Undertake fieldwork including biological data collection and threats monitoring on NCC properties (inventories of plants, animals, communities, physical features and anthropogenic influences), in all ecosystems (grassland, forest, wetland, etc.).
• Assists with annual Conservation Agreement Monitoring Program.
• Conducts site inspections on NCC’s properties, fill in reports and submit relevant GIS data.
• Contributes to the development and updates of Property Management Plans and participate as a team member on relevant stewardship action teams.
• Prepare mapping as required for stewardship planning and reporting.
• Prepare reports for fieldwork and land management recommendations, perform data entry in NCC’s Land Resource Manager Information System and GIS databases.

Other

• Monthly time and billing, Visa and personal expenses
• Assist the Natural Area Managers, Manager of Stewardship, Manager of Science and Director of Conservation with ongoing stewardship activities as needed.
• Assist with the coordination and delivery of public engagement events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Attributes:

• Graduate with an agriculture, biology, ecology, forestry, or environmental science degree/diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with project planning and management.
• Knowledge of ecosystem management practices, field methodology, and restoration ecology.
• Ability to independently take a project from background research to action in a short period of time.
• Working knowledge of Manitoba landscapes, communities, agricultural and conservation issues.
• Demonstrated flora and fauna identification skills for Manitoba, the ability to key out unknown species, knowledge of invasive plant species.
• In-field navigation experience and skills.
• Working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems, data management and the use of ArcMap to create maps for fieldwork and reporting a plus.
• Experience working outdoors in various terrain and under various weather conditions.
• Ability to work independently, be self-motivated, and display superior time management skills, attention to detail, as well as the ability to meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with common computer software (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Excellent writing and organization skills.
• Strong communication skills, including ability to interact with the public to convey a conservation message, and work with agricultural producers and conservation partners.
• English required, French language skills a strong plus.
• Wilderness or Standard First Aid Training.
• Manitoba Pesticide Applicator Certification or willingness to complete training to be licensed by NCC is an asset.
• Basic Wildland Fire Management training) and Introduction to the Incident Command System (I-100 ICS) or willingness to be trained is an asset.
• Valid Driver’s License, with ability to pull and back up a trailer, load and unload ATVs, as well as ability to rent a vehicle.
• Some mechanical ability and comfort working with equipment such as chainsaws, backpack sprayers and hand tools is an asset.

Terms of Employment:

• This is a full-time (37.5 hour/week), term position for approximately 9 months, ending May 31, 2026. There is potential for the contract term to be extended depending on the availability of funding.
• Salary Band 2 - $54,826.00 - $61,725
• This can be a physically demanding job, requiring long days hiking on NCC properties – sometimes in inclement weather and through various terrains. As part of the pesticide applicator tasks there may be times when carrying a fully loaded backpack sprayer (30-50 lbs.) is required. Applicant must also complete NCC Manitoba’s current prescribed fire fitness standard – 2-mile (3.2km) hike in 30 minutes with 25 lbs. backpack.
• This position is based in Brandon but requires the ability to travel throughout southern Manitoba to NCC sites with some overnight and potential weekend work. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• Extended overnight stays are required frequently. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Application Deadline

August 26, 2025 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at [email protected] to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at [email protected].