Trails Management Field Assistant

Pillar Nonprofit Network; London; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to environmental conservation as a Trails Management Field Assistant. This seasonal role offers hands-on experience in trail maintenance, ecological restoration, and community engagement. You will work outdoors, ensuring the health of natural spaces while collaborating with a passionate team. With a focus on inspiring a healthy environment, you'll gain valuable skills and contribute to meaningful projects that make a difference. This is a fantastic opportunity for those looking to blend their love for nature with practical work experience in the nonprofit sector.

Benefits

Paid vacation

Professional working environment

Full-time hours

Free access to UTRCA Conservation Areas

Qualifications

• Must be between 15 and 30 years of age.
• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Conduct trail maintenance including pruning and garbage collection.
• Assist with new trail construction and ecological restoration activities.
• Interact with the community regarding environmental significance.

Skills

Trail maintenance

Risk management inspections

Invasive species management

Ecological restoration

GPS usage

Education

Post-secondary education in Resource Management

Post-secondary education in Forestry

Post-secondary education in Environmental Science

Job description

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is currently accepting resumes for the Canada Summer Jobs Program seasonal position ofTrails Management Field Assistant.This position will be 8 weeks in length starting June 9, 2025, with possibility of extension.

Who Are We?

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) mission statement is Inspiring a Healthy Environment. The 17 municipalities within the Upper Thames River watershed appoint representatives to the UTRCA’s Board of Directors who represent the local urban and rural communities, deciding policies and programs that will lead to a healthy watershed. Our programs and services focus on five key areas:

• Protecting people and property and supporting safe development
• Providing natural spaces and recreational opportunities
• Making science based decisions
• Empowering communities and youth

The Upper Thames River watershed encompasses an area of 3,421 square kilometers, and is mainly rural but includes the urban centres of London, Stratford, and Woodstock. The UTRCA serves a total population of approximately 539,500 residents.

UTRCA Conservation Areas provide outdoor recreational opportunities that aim to educate and promote conservation messages to a large audience in an effort to improve the watershed’s natural environment

Who Are You?

As a member of the UTRCA team you will contribute to the mission of Inspiring a Healthy Environment through your skill and expertise, but also through your passion for the environment and calling to support change and make an impact. You will collaborate with like-minded colleagues to facilitate innovative approaches to the work you do in a supportive, friendly, and connected environment. The UTRCA embraces togetherness – you’ll know your colleagues, have a great time working together, and feel like you belong here. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

What You Will Do

• Trail maintenance including pruning, grass cutting, graffiti removal, risk management inspections and garbage collection;
• Assist with new trail construction and closing of unmanaged trails;
• Maintenance, repair and construction of boardwalks, railings, barricades, signs and other trail infrastructure;
• Exposure to tree risk assessments and assist with the hazard tree removal program;
• Invasive species management using manual and chemical control methods including use of herbicides;
• Ecological restoration including tree/shrub/wildflower planting, and installation of bird and bat houses;
• Beaver management and monitoring activities by installing flow devices, tree protection and drain clean outs;
• GPS use during risk management, encroachment and trail management activities;
• Interact with the community and answer questions related to the environmentally significant

What You Will Bring

This position is funded through Canada Summer Job Program, therefore candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Must be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive)
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations
• Post-secondary education in Resource Management, Forestry, Fish and Wildlife or Environmental Science;
• A reasonable level of physical fitness and tolerance for unpredictable weather conditions and working outside for majority of the day;

What We Will Do for You

• Provide a great salary: $19.64 per hour, plus 4% in vacation pay;
• Provide a professional, safe, and fun working environment alongside great people and co- workers;
• Schedule you to work full-time (35 hours per week) throughout the season;
• Provide paid Health and Safety, as well as position-specific task We want you to succeed and work safe!
• Give you free access to UTRCA Conservation

How You Can Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to apply byMay 9, 2025 at 4:00 pmto be considered for this opportunity. Please submit your cover letter and resume to the UTRCA, in confidence, via:

Please indicate the position title in the subject line of your email. While we thank all applicants for their interest in the position, only those applications selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment that is free from discrimination and fosters belonging. We encourage and welcome applications from qualified members of the four designated groups, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Accommodation is available and will be provided in all aspects of the hiring process as required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and as request by applicants. Should you require accommodation in making an application, please contact UTRCA by phone at 519-451-2800 or email [e-mail] .

Personal information collected in relation to the recruitment process is collected under the authority outlined in the Conservation Authorities Act R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27, s. 18 (1) and will be used to determine eligibility for employment. Questions about this collection of personal information should be directed to: General Manager, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, 1424 Clarke Road, London, ON N5V 5B9, 519-451-2800.

$19.64 per hour, plus 4% in vacation pay

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