Research and Monitoring Technician

Position Type: Full-time, Term 

Salary: $25 per hour

Term: June 1-July 24, 2026

Programs: Alberta Bat Program

Location: This role includes a blend of home-based office responsibilities and fieldwork across Alberta. The preferred candidate will need to be able to depart from Edmonton to complete field work, but alternative arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Reports To: Cory Olson, Alberta Bat Program Coordinator

Supervises (Direct supervision only): None 

Application closing: 18 May

Position Summary

The Bat Research and Monitoring Technician will support a variety of bat conservation and research activities across both field and office settings. Responsibilities may include assisting with bat captures, roost monitoring, probiotic applications, and the collection of guano, swab, or tissue samples, as well as deploying acoustic detectors and temperature and humidity dataloggers. The position may also involve data entry and assisting with public outreach activities. Work will occur in a range of environments, from office settings to remote wilderness locations, and will involve a combination of independent work, collaboration with a qualified biologist, and working in a team with another technician. Project tasks will be adapted based on abilities, and to allow the technician to develop skills relevant to applicants' career aspirations.

Position Objectives

• To collect field data needed to address multiple bat conservation priorities.


• Improve monitoring capacity for at risk bat species in Alberta.

Principal Responsibilities

Tasks are expected to include any or all of the following:

• Assist with bat capture and handling following established protocols and permits


• Support bat roost monitoring and emergence surveys


• Assist with probiotic preparation and application at designated treatment sites


• Collect biological samples (e.g., guano, swab, and occasional tissue samples) using sterile techniques


• Deploy, retrieve, and maintain acoustic detectors for bat monitoring


• Install and service temperature and humidity dataloggers at roosts and other sites


• Accurately record, manage, and enter field data


• Conduct equipment preparation, maintenance, and inventory tracking


• Navigate across rugged terrain to reach field sites


• Follow safety protocols and assist with risk assessments for fieldwork


• Assist with public outreach events, including educational programs and community engagement


• Support data organization and preliminary summaries for reporting purposes


• Collaborate effectively with team members while also completing assigned tasks independently


• Assist with other field and program activities as required

• Support WCS Canada’s goal of transforming WCS Canada’s conservation practice through reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.


• Contribute to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that promotes engagement and belonging.

Required Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Be between the ages of 15 and 30 of age at the time of application


• Must be either a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have Refugee Status and legally able to work in Canada and according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations


• Enrolled in or recently completed a post-secondary program in biology, ecology, wildlife, environmental science, or a related field


• Strong interest in wildlife conservation, with a demonstrated interest in bats or field biology considered an asset


• Ability to work long hours in variable weather conditions, including late nights, and overnight fieldwork


• Comfortable working in remote and rugged environments


• Good physical fitness and ability to hike with equipment over uneven terrain


• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately record and manage data


• Experience with field data collection (e.g., wildlife surveys, sampling, or monitoring) is an asset


• Experience with acoustic monitoring equipment, dataloggers, or other wildlife research tools is an asset


• Ability to follow protocols carefully, including survey protocols and decontamination procedures


• Effective communication skills and ability to interact professionally with team members and the public


• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) or other data management tools


• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a vehicle on rural or unpaved roads
  

Other Desirable Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain) is an asset


• Willingness to learn, take initiative, and adapt to changing field conditions and project needs
  

How to apply 

Please submit your resume with a cover letter explaining your interest in this position and relevant skills and experience. 

For questions regarding the position, please contact Gillian Woolmer at [email protected]

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Okechukwu Ezibe at [email protected] 

Application closing date: TBD

WCS Canada does not use AI to screen, assess or select applicants. 

Accessibility and inclusivity 

WCS Canada is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. We are dedicated to providing accommodations throughout the hiring process, in accordance with applicable accessibility and human rights legislation. 

If you require accommodations at any stage of the recruitment or selection process, please contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 437-770-2776. We will work with you to meet your needs in a timely and respectful manner. 

We recognize that strong candidates may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed qualification. If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity and believe you have relevant experience and skills, we encourage you to apply. 

About WCS Canada 

WCS Canada (www.wcscanada.org) was established as a Canadian conservation organization in July 2004. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, and equal opportunity. Our mission is to save wildlife and wild places by improving our understanding of and seeking solutions to critical problems that threaten key species and large wild ecosystems throughout Canada. We implement and support comprehensive field studies that gather information on wildlife needs and then seek to resolve key conservation problems by working with a broad array of actors. WCS Canada has a track record of our science being recognized as relevant, credible and legitimate by researchers, NGOs and agencies. WCS Canada is independently registered and managed, while retaining a strong collaborative working relationship with sister Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) programs in more than 60 countries. 

Diversity and inclusion are core WCS Canada values. We value the diversity of the people we employ and work with and we strive to provide an inclusive and equitable workplace in which we recognize the unique characteristics, skills and experiences of all employees. We are committed to engaging our employees in our diversity, equity and inclusion work and together we aim to create a workplace where all staff feel they belong and can grow. 

WCS Canada’s programs occur on the homelands of Indigenous Peoples whose relationships various governments are described in historic Treaties, modern land claim agreements, and negotiations around unceded lands. We recognize and support Indigenous Peoples in Indigenous-led conservation initiatives as well as the international ecological and social commitments and responsibilities to Indigenous Peoples that Canada has signed, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Our commitment to collaboration with Indigenous Peoples ranges from provision of scientific advice to co-creation of research and conservation priorities. We respect Indigenous knowledge systems and include Indigenous ways of knowing in research and conservation programs. We engage in land use planning and impact assessment processes that affect Indigenous Peoples, seeking ways to advance conservation as well as opportunities to sustain the livelihoods and cultures of Indigenous communities. We seek to motivate positive conservation outcomes by supporting effective governance and decision-making processes by Indigenous communities, particularly by supporting Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas.   

WCS Canada is committed to contributing to the field of conservation science and the professional development of its employees. Employees are encouraged to participate in professional societies and present their research at conferences and meetings, as well as participate in relevant workshops and training opportunities. Employees are likewise encouraged to mentor graduate students, participate in relevant graduate student committees, and pursue adjunct status with universities as appropriate.