Conservation Intern

Application Deadline:  April 21, 2025

Starting date: May 12, 2025

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 Intern 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.

Position Summary:

Are you passionate about conserving some of Manitoba’s most important natural spaces? Do you want to have a positive, lasting impact on nature? Are you looking for a well-rounded position to kick-start your conservation career with hands-on experience? We want to hear from you!

Nature Conservancy of Canada is looking for a passionate people to join the Manitoba team as Conservation Interns. These positions play an integral role in delivering NCC’s core annual conservation activities throughout southern Manitoba. This position joins NCC in Manitoba’s Next Generation of Conservation Leaders (NGCL) Program that is designed to support aspiring early-career professionals.  NGCL Program participants benefit from a diverse work experience with contribution and exposure to several business departments, onboarding and training that includes work planning and goal setting, performance feedback and career guidance from their supervisors and colleagues and becoming part of the NCC team that is well supported to ensure safe work habits and environments.  This position(s) may require extensive travel and independent fieldwork that often involves liaising with landowners, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations.  Positions are based in Winnipeg or Brandon but require the ability to travel throughout southern Manitoba.  Occasional weekend or holiday work may be required.  Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Position Requirements (positions may include all or a subset of the following):

• Conduct field work, data entry and associated reporting to assist development of Baseline Property Inventory Reports or management planning for NCC-owned and Conservation Agreement properties;
• Conduct Species at Risk and invasive species surveys, mapping, monitoring;
• Assist in the implementation and reporting of Effectiveness Monitoring Programs to track the viability of biodiversity targets and the effectiveness of conservation actions to abate threats at the property and landscape scale to guide land management;
• Complete literature searches and summaries, data analysis, and data entry to inform adaptive management activities;
• Create maps and conduct basic analyses in using ArcPro Geographic Information System (GIS);
• Assist with property stewardship activities such as site inspections, fence and sign maintenance, restoration planting, native seed collection, and invasive species management;
• Prepare reports for fieldwork and land management recommendations;
• Complete data entry in NCC’s Land Resource Manager Information System and GIS databases;
• Photograph features as part of standardized documentation processes or for use in media;
• Author/produce at least one media piece that summarizes your NCC staff experience or features a conservation topic for use on NCC’s media platforms;
• Support community relations via design, construction, and participation on a Canada Day parade float.
• Assists with the coordination and delivery of Conservation Volunteer events;
• Monthly time sheets, billing, and expenses;
• Follow safety policies specified for work activities;
• Other duties as assigned by the Managers of Stewardship or Science Programs, Natural Area Managers and the Director of Conservation.

Skills and Attributes:

This posting is targeted to individuals possessing the following skills and traits:

• Education – current post-secondary students and post-secondary graduates preferred; however, individuals having several job skill and experience requirements will be considered;
• Knowledge of vegetation community types; prairie, forest, wetland and aquatic ecology and ability to monitor ecological health;
• Basic knowledge of and ability to identify species of plants and animals;
• Enthusiastic about conserving nature;
• Adaptable/ flexible with day-to-day work plans;
• Comfortable hiking/working in remote wilderness locations without trails (dense forest with black flies / ticks etc.) for extended periods in various weather;
• Enjoys working as part of a team, positive attitude;
• Clear, professional and thoughtful communicator to landowners, public, colleagues;
• Reliable, punctual, and responsible;
• Willingness to learn and follow protocols;
• Self-motivated to work independently (with attention to detail), yet seek assistance and input as required;
• Excellent time management and organizational skills;
• Proficient with data management and spreadsheet software;
• Analytical and detailed oriented, creative, proactive thinker;
• Valid driver’s license, ability to rent a vehicle and comfort driving on highways, rough, and backcountry roads.

The following additional skills and abilities would be assets in this position but are not required to apply. Training will be provided by NCC to further develop certain skills:

• Working knowledge of Manitoba landscapes, communities, agricultural and conservation issues;
• Navigational skills including understanding of GPS devices or applications, compass, and aerial image interpretation;
• Working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems, data management and the use of ArcPro to create maps for fieldwork and reporting a plus;
• Experience in analyzing, manipulating and interpreting data, including statistics, spreadsheet applications, GPS and spatial data;
• Experience working or recreating outdoors in various terrain and under various weather conditions;
• Standard First Aid – Level C CPR or Remote First Aid certification.

Application Deadline

Le 21 avril 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 hr@natureconservancy.ca to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at hr@natureconservancy.ca.