Position: Environmental Technician (Water Resources) (1 position)
Reports To: Environmental Planner
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario
Date: May 5, 2025 to August 22, 2025 (16-week contract)
Wage: $18.20 per hour

Please submit a cover letter and resume to the attention of Tammy Cook, Chief Administrative Officer. Include the job title of the position applied for in the subject line of the email or envelope submission. The application deadline is March 6, 2025.

Eligibility requirements for applicants:

Applicants hired must meet the eligibility criteria of the Canada Summer Jobs Program:

• be between 15 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

*The youth must be 15 years of age at the beginning of the employment period. The youth may be more than 30 years of age at the end of the employment period as long as the youth was 30 at the beginning of the employment period.

**International students are not eligible participants. International students include anyone who is temporarily in Canada for studies and who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada. Youth awaiting a refugee status ruling, as well as those who hold a temporary visitor visa, youth visa or work visa are ineligible. As the objective of the Canada Summer Jobs program is to support youth entering the Canadian labour market, the temporary nature of an international student’s time in Canada does not allow for a long-term connection to the labour market.

General Overview:

The Environmental Technician reports to the Environmental Planner and may receive direction from the GIS/Water Resources Technologist or Watershed Biologist. Working in a team environment, the Environmental Technician will assist with the environmental monitoring programs and contribute to on-going studies and projects. Day to day duties of the successful candidate will specialize in the collection, entry and/or analysis of water resources data to support various water quality studies.

The Environmental Technician will support LRCA’s water quality sampling and Neebing culvert program. The students will directly contribute to the Bathing Beach Sampling Program, collecting weekly water samples from June to August, analyzing results, and compiling data into a summary report. Cyanobacteria and invasive species monitoring will be carried out alongside the Bathing Beach Sampling Program. Further, the Environmental Technician will collect samples for the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network and Mosquito Creek.

The LRCA’s culvert study aims to assess existing and future flood vulnerabilities and help the municipality build climate change resilience by raising awareness of the conditions and ramifications of the culverts. The proponent will be expected to measure, photograph, and map each culvert to provide a visual interpretation of each, delineating those that are of critical concern. The data will be compiled into a final report prior to the end of the contract.

Additional stewardship initiatives including clean-up events, sea lamprey trapping, invasive species pulls, native species cultivation, and revegetation of shoreline and riparian habitat will included in the role of the position. Field work will also include environmental education programs and events, contributing to the vision of a healthy, safe, and sustainable Lakehead Watershed for future generations.

This position normally works a 35-hour work week with occasional evening and weekend involvement. Occasional assistance with LRCA’s public events may be required on an as-needed basis. Hours beyond the normal work week are compensated with time-off in lieu as agreed to with supervisor, in advance when possible.

The work week is Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.

A valid clean driver’s license and access to a working vehicle is required.

Duties:

1) Conservation Area Water Quality Monitoring:

• Bathing Beach water quality monitoring at Hazelwood Lake and Mission Island Marsh.
• Prepare Bathing Beach Report.
• Cyanobacteria testing and sampling at Hazelwood Lake, Mission Island Marsh, Silver Harbour, and Hurkett Cove.
• Assist with the Conservation Area Water Quality Monitoring Report.

2) Mosquito Creek sampling:

• Monthly collection of water samples for laboratory analysis.

3) Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network:

• Monthly collection of water samples for laboratory analysis.

4) Neebing Culvert Study:

• Use available tools such as the Ontario Flow Assessment Tool and culvert sizing estimating methods the technician will assess existing water crossings capacity to provide access and egress during various return period flood events and compile summary reports.
• Complete inspections of undersized culverts and culverts identified as potential fish habitat connections and document conditions.
• Input all data into a spreadsheet.
• Prepare a summary report outlining findings.

5) Stewardship Program support:

• Assist with the Sea Lamprey Trapping Program.
• Assist with planting projects as required.
• Assist with the maintenance of the greenhouse and seedlings.
• Assist with any invasive species removal initiatives along the floodway.

6) Any other duties as assigned.

Education & Skills Required:

• Currently pursuing, or have completed, post-secondary education in an Environmental Studies program with relevant courses in areas such as water quality, hydrology, water resources, and environmental science.
• Experience in a variety of field sampling techniques and monitoring protocols would be an asset.
• Working knowledge of handheld GPS equipment would be an asset.
• Flora and fauna identification skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Teams.
  Strong oral and written communication skills, including ability in technical report writing.
  Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
  Self-motivated with the ability to work with minimal to no supervision.
  Must be willing to work outdoors and in adverse weather conditions.
  Valid Ontario Driver’s License with a clean driving record.
  Interested candidates are asked to submit a detailed resume and cover letter. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The information provided will only be used for the purposes of this position and will be managed in confidence within the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Submit your application to:

Tammy Cook – Chief Administrative Officer
Lakehead Region Conservation Authority

P.O. Box 10427, 130 Conservation Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6T8
Fax: 807-345-9156
Email: jobs@lakeheadca.com