Wildlife Field Technician

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; Calgary; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) seeks Wildlife Field Technicians for its 2026 field season in Canada, with a 95% emphasis on fieldwork and extensive travel between the Calgary office and remote sites.

The role requires long field days, on-site field tasks, and the ability to work 22 consecutive days if needed. Start tentative in Q2/Q3 2026; pay rate ranges from $25-$35/hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• Completed and relevant technical diploma, Bachelor’s degree, or Master’s degree in ecology, zoology, environmental science or management, or related discipline.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel to field sites.
• Experience conducting wildlife field surveys and data collection in boreal or prairie habitats preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform standardized bird migration, nesting, and other avian surveys.
• Conduct raptor nest monitoring and other ecological surveys.
• Handle field data QA/QC, data management, and demobilization tasks.
• Assist with report preparation, tables and figures, and field administration.

Skills

Bird identification

Field surveys

Data collection

Education

Technical diploma in ecology

Bachelor’s degree in ecology

Master’s degree in ecology

Tools

Field Maps

Survey123

GPS

Job description

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Job Title

Wildlife Field Technician

25.00 - 35.00

Job Classification

Hourly

Location

Job Type

Temporary

# of Hires Needed

1

Application Deadline

7/17/2026

Job Description

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium-size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking for energetic and experienced Wildlife Field Technicians to help with our 2026 field season.

WEST is driven by its principles and core values – providing scientifically defensible solutions, technical expertise, quality client service, satisfying careers, collaborative team approach, respectful atmosphere, and continual improvement. For over three decades, our employees have exemplified these principles and helped shape the foundation of what we do, who we are, and what we believe in. WEST employees are both collaborative and independent thinkers and doers that help develop solutions to natural resource and environmental problems, and those solutions have a real impact in the world around us. We invite you to be part of the solution.

Number of positions available: 2

Job Type: Temporary Full Time

Tentative Start Date: Q2/Q3 2026, or as needed

Pay Rate: $25-$35/hour, based on experience

Job Description :
Primary duties may include:

• Standardized bird migration, breeding bird, sharp-tailed grouse lek, burrowing owl, or other avian use surveys;
• Raptor nest monitoring;
• Construction monitoring;
• Amphibian, reptile, and mammal surveys;
• Species-specific surveys for Species of Management Concern (SOMC);
• Bat acoustic detector and/or thermal camera setup and maintenance;
• Pre-disturbance nest surveys;
• Other ecological surveys (e.g., wetland, soil, and vegetation assessments);
• Field data QAQC, processing, and demobilization;
• Data entry and management;
• Weekly timesheet and expense report completion;
• Bird and bat fatality monitoring at operating renewable energy facilities (post-construction monitoring);
• Carcass handling and management in support of post-construction monitoring programs;
• Support reporting as needed: compiling tables and figures, report writing; and
• Office-based administrative assistance, as needed.

This position consists of 95% fieldwork, and travel between the field and the Calgary office. Fieldwork will require long days (up to 12 hours) with overnight stays in remote locations, sometimes for extended periods of time (up to 3-4 weeks).

Fieldwork will require candidates to:

• Demonstrate strong bird identification skills in boreal, parkland, and prairie habitats;
• Start survey work early in the morning (e.g., 3 AM), or late at night (e.g., 10 PM), as needed;
• Work through weekends and holidays, as needed;
• Work long shifts, up to 22 consecutive days, as needed;
• Work overtime hours (i.e., more than 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week) whilst in the field, as needed;
• Work effectively either independently or in small crews;
• Demonstrate effective communication, organizational, and time management skills;
• Walk long distances (up to 20 km per day) in uneven or difficult terrain;
• Work in a range of environmental conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wind);
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating a four-wheel drive vehicle in off-road conditions;
• Work around/in hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., livestock, dust, mud, snow, wind, extreme heat and cold);
• Work in rattlesnake, grizzly bear, black bear, cougar, and wolf habitat;
• Work in areas with little to no cellphone signal, and utilize satellite and radio devices for regular communication as required by safety protocols;
• Demonstrate due care of field equipment, vehicles, and office equipment;
• Collect quality legible field data, and adhere to administrative processes pertaining to fieldwork, safety, and HR;
• Work well under time constraintsand meet deliverable targets and deadlines; and
• Follow protocols and work efficiently

This is a general description of requirements for this position and may not be inclusive of all duties.

• Completed and received a relevant technical diploma, Bachelor’s degree, or Master’s degree in ecology, zoology, environmental science or management, or other related discipline;
• Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions;
• Able to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g., Enterprise);
• Able to obtain a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company;
• Able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients;
• High level of initiative and ability to think critically to solve challenging problems;
• Capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements, outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment; and
• Have durable steel-toed boots and hiking boots with a minimum 6-inch ankle (waterproof highly recommended), snake gaiters, and good quality binoculars (8x42 or 10x42). These pieces of field equipment will not be reimbursed by WEST.

Desired Skills:

• Experience conducting avian use point counts and other biological fieldwork;
• Ability to identify >75% of bird species in western Canada by sound and >90% by sight;
• Previous experience using tablet data collection systems and apps (ie., Field Maps, Survey123);
• Previous experience leading field crews; and
• Previous experience completing the aforementioned survey types.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, family status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law.