2026 Conservation Ambassador

Company: Bruce Trail Conservancy

Location: On the Bruce Trail (Click here for a map of the trail sections).

Multiple positions available operating out of the Collingwood area, Owen Sound area, and Hamilton/Burlington area.

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work as needed

Position Date: May 4th to August 21st 2026 (16 week contract)

Rate of Pay: $22.50/hr

The Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) is seeking multiple Conservation Ambassadors to join our team and spend the summer working on the Bruce Trail in southern Ontario. Positions are available in the i) Blue Mountains Club section for work along the Bruce Trail from Creemore Area to Blantyre, ii) the Sydenham Club sections for work along the Bruce Trail from Blantyre to Wiarton; and iii) in the Hamilton/Burlington area for work in southern Bruce Trail sections from Niagara to Dufferin Hi-Land.

As a Conservation Ambassador you will be working with a group or partner and be responsible for helping implement land stewardship and ecological restoration activities as set out by the BTC, and conducting ecological inventories and monitoring along the Bruce Trail and BTC managed lands. Conservation Ambassadors will also be responsible for interacting with members of the general public and doing occasional trail outreach to promote and educate trail users on proper trail etiquette while raising awareness about the conservation efforts of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.  

The ideal candidate will have experience with the identification of native and invasive species and/or environmental stewardship in Southern Ontario and be friendly and willing to start up conversations with trail users. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Invasive species management on BTC owned properties using manual removal techniques, focusing on European Buckthorn, Multiflora Rose, Dog-strangling Vine, and Phragmites  
• Participating in spring planting projects and the maintenance of restoration sites 
• Assisting staff ecologists with the monitoring of BTC owned conservation lands (including vegetation inventories, Ecological Land Classification and breeding bird surveys) and past restoration projects (including tree plantings and native prairie habitat restoration) 
• Contributing to stewardship and outreach work while helping to raise hiker awareness of stewardship principles  
• Assisting land stewardship and trail maintenance volunteer crews where necessary 
• Engaging and interacting with hikers and trail users 
• Providing information and guidance on trail routes, points of interest, and amenities 
• Promoting trail etiquette, safety, and environmental conservation practices 
• Reporting any trail issues or safety concerns to the appropriate authorities 
• Assisting with trail maintenance activities such as litter clean-up and trail marking 
• Taking photos for use in social media campaigns and logging species observations using iNaturalist 
• Undertaking administrative duties necessary for the execution of field work, including documentation of field work and reporting 
• Participating in outreach events and programs to raise awareness about the Bruce Trail as needed 

If you are passionate about the outdoors and conservation, enjoy interacting with people, and want to contribute to the preservation of one of Canada's most iconic trails, then this Trail Ambassador position at Bruce Trail Conservancy is perfect for you.

• Must have a valid drivers license and access to a vehicle. Positions are currently available in the Owen Sound, Creemore and Hamilton areas and applicants are ideally able to commute to Bruce Trail access points in 30 minutes or less as access to public transportation along the Trail is not always reliable.  
• Familiarity with local plant and wildlife identification in Southern Ontario. Knowledge of invasive species is an asset.  
• Experience with common ecological survey methods (e.g. breeding bird surveys and/or Ecological Land Classification) is an asset 
• Passion for hiking, outdoor recreation, and environmental conservation 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to work as part of a team in a variety of environmental conditions including but not limited to: heat, rain, insects, and uneven terrain  
• Experience in customer service is an asset but not required 
• First aid certification is an asset 

Preference will be given to those individuals in the conservation and/or ecology sectors. Individuals possessing or working towards a degree or diploma in natural resource management, ecological restoration, environmental science or studies, biology, or related disciplines will be strongly considered. Relevant work experience can compensate for formal education. 

This position may be funded by the Canada Summer Jobs Program. To be eligible, you must:

• be between 18 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment; and,
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

Deadline to apply: Please submit your resume, cover letter and Club section you are applying for no later than 4pm EST on March 6, 2026. Interviews will take place from February 23rd-March 13th on an ongoing basis.

Compensation: $22.50/hr

Other Benefits: Spend the summer hiking the Bruce Trail and experiencing the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment while gaining experience in public education, environmental stewardship and trail maintenance. Spend time with a variety of passionate volunteers and staff ecologists and build skills in species ID, public outreach and more.