The Marmot Recovery Foundation is hiring for two positions this summer: a hybrid Animal Care and Field Technician and a part-time Marmot Keeper position. Both positions will work with our team of biologists, marmot care staff, and wildlife technicians in our mission to recover the wild population of Vancouver Island marmots! Submit your application to resumes@marmots.org by Feb 20th, 2025. Read on below for more information!

Job Title: Hybrid Animal Care/Field Technician
Location: Mount Washington/Central Vancouver Island, BC

Terms:

• Number of positions available: 1 full-time summer seasonal position
• Contract length: May 1 – August 31, 2025, with possibility of extension through September.
• Contract structure: Fixed-term employment contract, starting at $21/hr.
• Project base: Mount Washington (shared housing provided during work shifts at Mount Washington), field work around central Vancouver Island.

Key Animal Care Responsibilities (approximately 40% of duties):

• Daily feeding, cleaning, observation, and general care of captive marmots maintained at the Mount Washington facility.
• Assist with animal handling and veterinary procedures, including anesthesic monitoring.
• Maintain detailed animal records.
• Field collection of marmot plant foods
• Perform basic building maintenance and security.

Key Field Work Responsibilities (approximately 60% of duties):

• Hiking for 4-8 hours a day on steep, rugged, backcountry mountainous terrain with up to 50lbs of weight.
• Precise and consistent collection of inventory, survival, and reproduction data based on radiotelemetry detections and visual observations.
• Contributing to safe operating practices while working in challenging environmental conditions.
• Driving 4×4 trucks on active, radio-controlled and decommissioned logging roads, and occasional use of ATVs and/or snowmobiles.
• Camping on trips of up to 5 days in length in remote, challenging locations.
• Tracking marmots using radiotelemetry, often hiking significant distances (5+km) following radio signals in steep, slippery, mountainous terrain.
• Setting up and servicing remote wildlife camera traps and supplemental feeder stations.
• Travel in helicopters to and from work sites, often involving entering/exiting and loading/unloading equipment from helicopters while the machine is powered and in challenging terrain. Powered-exit training will be provided on the job.

Qualifications:

• Completion of a university degree in the life sciences (or equivalent), or current enrollment in a degree program.
• Training as an Animal Health Technologist is a strong asset.
• A strong background and solid knowledge in animal care, management, and handling. Experience with captive wildlife is a strong asset.
• Occupational First Aid (OFA) Level 1 (WorkSafeBC requirement). While additional first aid qualifications may be a benefit, OFA 1 is still required.
• A Class 5 BC Drivers License (or equivalent).
• An above-average level of physical fitness and stamina, and ability to carry heavy loads over large distances on rough terrain.
• Experience driving 4×4 and all-terrain vehicles in steep, mountainous terrain.
• A commitment to adhere to safety protocols and contribute to safe operating practices.

Desired Traits:

• Passion for wildlife conservation.
• Dual ability to manage daily repetitive tasks while being flexible for new challenges.
• Strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and an even temperament.
• Detail-oriented mindset with keen observation skills.
• Flexibility, reliability, and ability to maintain a positive attitude in diverse situations.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of tasks including daily, repetitive activities and novel situations as they arise.
• Comfortable working in remote, rugged environments. Experience with multi-day backcountry camping trips is a bonus.

Why Join Us? As an Animal Care Technician/ Hybrid Field Technician at the Marmot Recovery Foundation, you will play a vital role in the conservation of a species that is integral to the natural ecosystem of Vancouver Island. You’ll be part of a dedicated, passionate team working toward a meaningful cause. These roles offer hands-on experience in wildlife management, fieldwork, and animal care, all while contributing to the recovery of a endangered endemic species.

Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to resumes@marmots.org. Please indicate your availability and highlight your relevant experience in wildlife care, field work, or conservation.

Deadline for applications: 4pm, February 20^th, 2025
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Title: Animal Care Technician
Location: Mount Washington, BC
Organization: Marmot Recovery Foundation

About the Marmot Recovery Foundation (MRF):
The Marmot Recovery Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and recovery of the Vancouver Island marmot, a unique island endemic. We work toward ensuring the survival and successful restoration of this critically endangered species by combining captive breeding and reintroduction with fieldwork, and public education.

We are currently seeking a part-time, Animal Care Technician to join our team at the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Recovery Centre. This rewarding position is suitable for an enthusiastic, hard-working individual with a passion for animals and wildlife conservation who wants to contribute to the success of our exciting recovery program.

Terms:

• Number of positions available: 1 part-time summer seasonal position
• Contract length: May 1 – September 31, 2025
• Contract structure: Fixed-term employment contract, starting at $21/hr.
• Project base: Mount Washington, Vancouver Island (shared housing provided during work shifts, although residency in proximity to the Comox Valley would be an asset)

Key Animal Care and Field Responsibilities:

• Daily feeding, cleaning, observation, and general care of captive marmots maintained at the Mount Washington facility.
• Assist with animal handling and veterinary procedures, including anesthesic monitoring
• Maintain detailed animal records.
• Field collection of marmot plant foods
• Perform basic building maintenance and security.
• Support MRF field staff with field observations, radiotelemetry, captive releases , and live trapping of wild marmots, as needed.at Mount Washington. This includes working under challenging field conditions including adverse weather (heat, rain, snow), biting insects, and steep, unstable terrain.

Qualifications:

• A strong background and knowledge of animal care, management, and handling. Experience with captive wildlife is a strong asset.
• Completion of a university degree in the life sciences (or equivalent), or current enrollment in a degree program OR training as an Animal Health Technologist would be considered as an asset.
• An ability to accurately record observations and data.
• Capacity to work independently while adhering to specific directions and health protocols.
• Ability to lift and transport 22kg short distances.
• Flexibility of schedule; work may require occasional longer days and weekends.
• Physical fitness and a willingness to support MRF field staff in outdoor settings, including assisting with fieldwork on Mount Washington.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of tasks, including daily repetitive duties and novel situations as they arise.

Desired Traits:

• Passion for animals and wildlife conservation.

• Ability to manage daily repetitive tasks while being adaptive to new challenges.
• Strong communication skills, a positive attitude, and an even temperament.
• Detail-oriented mindset with keen observation skills.

• Comfortable working in rugged environments.
• Flexibility, reliability, and ability to maintain a positive attitude in diverse situations.

Why Join Us? As an Animal Care Technician at the Marmot Recovery Foundation, you will play a vital role in the conservation of a species that is integral to the natural ecosystem of Vancouver Island. You’ll be part of a dedicated, passionate team working toward a meaningful cause. This role offers hands-on experience in wildlife management, fieldwork, and animal care, all while contributing to the recovery of an endangered endemic species.

Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to animalcare@marmots.org. Please indicate your availability and highlight your relevant experience in wildlife care, or conservation.

Deadline for applications: 4pm, February 20^th, 2025
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Join us in making a difference for the Vancouver Island marmot and be part of an exciting conservation effort!

The Marmot Recovery Foundation invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities who bring value to the recovery of the Vancouver Island Marmot through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter.  When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity.  Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.