Job Description

The Foothills Research Institute (FRI), with its office located in Hinton, Alberta, is seeking a motivated individual to be part of the Willmore Wilderness Research Project and the Foothills Research Institute GIS Program. If you would like to join a dynamic and innovative team and live in the foothills near a national park for the summer, this job is for you! Reporting to the FRI GIS Coordinator, the incumbent will support the Willmore Wilderness Project by providing project assistance including wilderness field work, setting up and managing technical equipment, forming relationships with park users, directing & collecting surveys, and data entry. When not working on the Willmore Project, the incumbent will work on FRI GIS Program tasks and projects. Some of these projects will include the maintenance of datasets, handling data requests, database management, spatial analysis, cartography, training and technical support to staff and program partners. The position requires both field and office skills, therefore we are seeking candidates that are dynamic and flexible.
Additional information on the FRI and associated program areas can be found at: http://foothillsresearchinstitute.ca/pages/home/Default.aspx

Knowledge and Skills

o Experience in ArcGIS 9.x software pertaining to natural resource based research.
o Experience using Python/Model Builder would be an asset.
o Enthusiastic and motivated to enhance and learn new GIS skills.
o Experience in Microsoft Access and Excel.
o Perform tedious data entry.
o Familiarity with GPS units and technology and a keenness to potentially learn how to use and manage other field equipment and gadgets.
o Field work may be conducted in wilderness settings. Wilderness experience is preferred and sensible backcountry judgment is critical.
o Ability to deal with potentially stressful situations such as insects, bears, and time in the office is a must.
o Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
o Ability to meet multiple deadlines and the balancing of multiple priorities.
o Strong oral, written, and electronic communication skills.

Qualifications
o Minimum 6 months work experience or working knowledge of ESRI software, especially ArcInfo, ArcGIS 9.x software.
o Proficient with either Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access software.
o Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive).
o Can be returning to school or a post-secondary graduate (can be a prior certificate, degree, or diploma etc.) within the past 2 years.
o Legally entitled to work in Canada.
o Not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

Employment Term - May 1 to August 30, 2010

Salary

Overview

The primary responsibility will be to conduct stream crossing inspections on the Foothills Research Institute land base, and may also assist with other aspects of research relating to stream crossings such as fish presence or absence studies and habitat assessments. Land-use infrastructure including roads, bridges and culverts will be a major focus. The technician will participate in data collection relating to fish biology, stream channel morphology, hydrology, forestry and engineering for use in watershed remediation planning. Also, spatial (GIS) analyses with reporting may be completed, if time permits during the contract period. For more information on the Foothills Stream Crossing Program please see our website at http://foothillsresearchinstitute.ca/pages/ProgramsFoothills_Stream_Crossing/default.aspx

Job Description
1. Work with the Foothills Stream Crossing team while conducting projects identified within the work plan of the Foothills Stream Crossing Program;
2. Inspect stream crossings within the West Fraser Forest Management Area;
3. Conduct electrofishing sampling and aquatic habitat assessments;
4. Identify equipment required for the delivery of the program and assist with maintenance, upkeep, and inventory of field equipment;
5. Participate in data entry, evaluation and reporting if time permits during the contract period;
6. Practice safe work procedures as consistent with the Foothills Research Institute safety program.

Job Qualifications:
1. A minimum of one year in natural resources, forestry, fisheries or other environmental diploma or degree program is required.
2. At least one season of related field experience.
3. Highly motivated and able to work in a team environment.
4. A solid foundation in data management and natural sciences is required.

Employment Term:
May 1 to August 31, 2010

Salary:
Will be based upon the level of education and previous experience of applicant.

We thank all applicants in advance; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Canadian Model Forest Network Board of Directors is seeking an energetic, visionary and results oriented President/General Manager who will lead the evolution, strategic growth, and oversight of an aggressive and expanded business plan necessary to support future sustainability. For more information on this opportunity click here.

Mark your calendars for March 25-27, 2010 for an upcoming wetland symposium being held in Edmonton, Alberta called “Reclamation and Restoration of Boreal peatland and Forest Ecosystems: Toward a Sustainable Future”. This conference will showcase the leading research in boreal, terrestrial and wetland ecosystems related to reclamation and restoration. Check out the following link for more information about the conference and to register www.peatnet.siu.edu/form_edmonton/

It is with great sadness that we convey that Dave Neave passed away from a heart attack on Tuesday, January 26, 2010. A service celebrating David’s life was held at Christ Church Anglican Bells Corners, 3681 Richmond Road on Tuesday, February 2nd at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in David’s memory to Christ Church Bells Corners. Condolences, tributes or donations may be made at http://www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com/donations.php

Mel Knight, MLA for Grande Prairie-Smokey, moved over from the Ministry of Energy during the recent cabinet shuffle. Check out the following the links to read the biography for Honourable Mel Knight (PC) http://www.melknightmla.com/or http://www.srd.alberta.ca/

The Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) is hosting an interactive electronic lecture series on FRI’s Natural Disturbance Program titled “Solutions, Not Just Answers”. This series of lectures will run from March 3 to April 21, 2010 for approximately one hour on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm MST and will feature the researchers and partners as they talk about the merits of the program. Hear about the tools developed and being used, how new knowledge is applied, how policy and practices have been affected, the benefits of a working partnership, etc.

Follow the link to the CIF e-lecture website to register for this lecture series The Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) is hosting an interactive electronic lecture series on FRI’s Natural Disturbance Program titled “Solutions, Not Just Answers”. This series of lectures will run from March 3 to April 21, 2010 for approximately one hour on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm MST and will feature the researchers and partners as they talk about the merits of the program.. Scroll down the webpage to view the poster and download a registration form. Once registered, an email will be sent out to you with the speakers’ presentation attached and the step by step instructions for participation. At the time of the lecture, you simply call into the teleconference and follow along with the presenter on your computer. All that is required is a computer and a phone (preferably with a speaker).

Several Provincial RPF and RFT organizations have evaluated the lecture series for their continuing education programs. The CIF also has a voluntary continuing education credit system that you can earn credits for through the lecture series. If you would like more information please don’t hesitate to contact them (questions(at)cif-ifc.org).

Lori Daniel’s UBC students conduct research on coarse woody debris, such as
standing dead trees and downed logs, and on large woody debris in streams, within
the Institute’s Natural Disturbance Program. She credits the Institute for research
and multi-agency funding opportunities that in just five years have supported three
Post-Docs, three Master’s students, eight lab assistants and 10 field assistants. Three
Master’s and two undergrad theses have come out of the program.

Click here to view, share, and download all Partner Perspectives

Throughout the forest regions of North America , the two impacts from land management activities that pose the greatest risk to the conservation of aquatic resources are obstruction of fish passage and sedimentation at stream crossings. There are approximately 2,070 locations where permanent roads cross streams within the Foothills Research Insitutes core study area. There are also several hundred railway crossings. Older crossings were built to the standard of the day, but for small streams, maintaining fish passage may not have been a requirement at the time. In addition, runoff from gravel roads can cause sedimentation which adversely affects aquatic invertebrates and fish. These factors warrant a system-based approach that looks for innovative and cost effective solutions to manage environmental risks associated with stream crossings at the landscape scale.

This is the last indicator that was completed for the Local Levels Indicator Program which wrapped up last year. Stay tuned over the next few weeks for the release of a .pdf file that combines all of the indicators into one document. To view the Indicators click here.

The first of four partnership workshops for the Upper Athabasca Healthy Landscape Project (part of the new Healthy Landscape Program) took place in Edmonton on February 3rd, 2010. Representatives from over 30 different forestry and energy companies as well as government agencies were invited to jointly develop, evaluate, and compare several “healthy” landscape policy and planning scenarios.

The process being employed is innovative, requiring teams of five or six people to design (rather than plan) using a series of natural range of variation (NRV) indicators as input, leaving the more traditional values such as wood, recreation, and habitat supply as outputs. The project will be completed this summer, and the results and output handed over to the Upper Athabasca Land Use team.

Stay tuned to future eNotes for more information on this project and upcoming workshops.

IMAGINE (Integrated Management and Geospatial Information Network for the Environment Canada) announces a number of important upcoming Integrated Land Management (ILM) events, opportunities (publishing opportunities and conferences), and international ILM resources.

Please check the site Imagine Canada site for new and additional information as it comes in. http://imaginecanada.cyansolutions.com/. (more…)

The Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) is hosting an interactive electronic lecture series on FRI’s Natural Disturbance Program titled “Solutions, Not Just Answers”. This series of lectures will run from March 3 to April 21, 2010 for approximately one hour on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm MST and will feature the researchers and partners as they talk about the merits of the program. Hear about the tools developed and being used, how new knowledge is applied, how policy and practices have been affected, the benefits of a working partnership, etc.

Follow the link to the CIF e-lecture website to register for this lecture series The Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) is hosting an interactive electronic lecture series on FRI’s Natural Disturbance Program titled “Solutions, Not Just Answers”. This series of lectures will run from March 3 to April 21, 2010 for approximately one hour on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm MST and will feature the researchers and partners as they talk about the merits of the program.. Scroll down the webpage to view the poster and download a registration form. Once registered, an email will be sent out to you with the speakers’ presentation attached and the step by step instructions for participation. At the time of the lecture, you simply call into the teleconference and follow along with the presenter on your computer. All that is required is a computer and a phone (preferably with a speaker).

Several Provincial RPF and RFT organizations have evaluated the lecture series for their continuing education programs. The CIF also has a voluntary continuing education credit system that you can earn credits for through the lecture series. If you would like more information please don’t hesitate to contact them (questions(at)cif-ifc.org).

The Alberta Forest Growth Organization held their first workshop, Forest Offsets, on January 20, 2010 in Edmonton, Alberta. The workshop covered all aspects of carbon management and was very successful, with more than 80 people attending. Many thanks to Canadian Forest Service’s Northern Forestry Centre, Climate Central, Alberta Forest Extension Network and Woodlot Extension Program for their contributions to the success of this first workshop. The presentations from this event will be posted to our website in the near future.

Watch for information on the second workshop to be held in May 2010. Also stay tuned for information on the planned fall conference.

Click the gallery below to view it in full screen.  If you are unable to view the photo galley below click here.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is hosting an online seminar title “Integrated Industrial Access Management Planning in Alberta with Aniko Parnell (Alberta Sustainable Resource Development) Wayne Thorp (Foothills Research Institute)”.   This will be a 1 hour seminar on February 9, 2009 – 11:45 am (MST); 1:45 pm EST (Ottawa) ; 12:45 pm CST (Winnipeg).  

To register and get login information to join the seminar please contact Livia Bizikova with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg, Manitoba at Tel: +204-958-7753.

Abstract:
The Berland-Smoky area covers approximately a million hectares east of Grande Cache, Alberta. As a place with both high resource values and high industry interest, it is an area where collaboration and integrated planning can have significant and positive impacts on the landscape. To proactively manage these values, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development has partnered with the Foothills Landscape Management Forum, who represents oil and gas and forestry companies that operate in the area, on a planning initiative that uses the integrated approach to land management. The anticipated result will be a secondary road plan, the first of its kind in Alberta.

Join Mr. Gordon Stenhouse of the Foothills Research Institute’s Grizzly Bear Program for a discussion of ten years of research.  Focusing on applied research, Mr Stenhouse will discuss mapping habitat, developing predictive models to explain bear habitat use, provincial grizzly bear numbers and new technologies that his research team has developed to aid bear conservation.

To register, follow the link to the Interpretive Guides Association website www.interpretiveguides.org