Research Assistant – Forest Ecology at NAIT

In order to ensure your application is received by NAIT for thorough review and consideration, please apply directly through our Careers site at www.nait.ca/careers

Please Note: This competition is limited to current NAIT staff. This posting will be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Please Note: This is a temporary position for a 1-year period. This position requires relocation to Peace River, AB. There is no remote-working option available for this role.

This position is located at the NAIT’s Centre for Boreal Research in Peace River, Alberta. Peace River is a small community of approximately 6,700 people in the heart of the Boreal Forest of Northwest Alberta. We encourage all applicants to visit the town website to learn more about the amenities the community has to offer as well as the geographic distance from other major cities in Alberta. If you love the outdoors and like the idea of living in a town with only 4 traffic lights, then this may be just the place for you! We are looking to fill 3 positions within the Forest Reclamation and Reforestation Team at the Centre for Boreal Research (CBR). Our team is focused on the development, execution, and communication of applied research projects with the goal of providing industry (forest products sector, oil and gas and mining sectors) with a suite of strategies and tools that will better support the development of functional forest ecosystems.

This is important role in our team that will support a subset of these projects at all stages including experimental setup, monitoring and will assist with written technical deliverable preparation. This position includes a mix of field work, lab, and desk-based work, requiring a variety of skills including independent thinking and strong organizational and interpersonal abilities to work in a fast-paced and busy team setting. These positions will require extensive field work, from April to October under the wide array of weather conditions you might expect in Northern Alberta. Field work requires LOTS of walking through diverse terrain and uneven ground; our teams typically walk 5-10 km per day in the field. In addition, this position requires carrying of various loads (on backpacks) through this terrain. Physical fitness and the mental fortitude to meet the demanding nature of this work is an absolute necessity for this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executing applied research projects, by assisting other team members and leading a subset of studies, which may encompass the following activities:
• Working with and field supervision of summer research assistants.
• Conducting field work in a variety of remote locations and climatic conditions.
• Planning and coordination of project activities with teammates, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Lab and Greenhouse related experiment design, execution, and data collection.
• Search, selection, and request of supplies necessary for the project.
• Assist with the preparation of research extension and communication products: technical notes, white papers, 360 virtual tours and scientific manuscripts.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail –collecting scientific data requires mental diligence and the ability to do routine work for several hours or days
• Vegetation identification experience
• Be physically fit as this position requires extensive outdoor work on uneven terrain as described above
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Experience operating 360º video cameras
• Experience driving 4WD trucks on gravel roads

Qualifications:

• Diploma or BSc in biology, ecology or forestry.
• At least 1 year of related research experience.
• Class 5 license with clean drivers abstract; we will consider candidates that will be capable of obtaining their license within 3 months of hiring.
• Equivalencies may be considered.

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or the Comparative Education Services (CES).

Remuneration: $56,151.16 - $74,115.34 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package. (Classification – Research Assistant lI).

This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity.

About NAIT

We are proud to have been named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 14 consecutive years. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT’s culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability.

People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. We offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, we offer paid time off between Christmas and New Year's.

NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off-site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada.

NAIT is committed to fostering a safe environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Centre for Community and Belonging (CCB) and our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations, please connect with us at [email protected].

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