Environmental Technician (Biologist)

Position:           Environmental Technician (Biology) (1 position)

Reports To:      Environmental Planner

Location:          Thunder Bay, Ontario

Date:                  May 4, 2026, to August 21, 2026 (16-week contract)

Wage:                $18.60 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 February 23, 2026.

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 (Biology) reports to the Environmental Planner and may receive direction from the IT/GIS Specialist or the Stewardship Coordinator. Working in a team environment, the Environmental Technician (Biology) will assist with 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 biophysical data to support various water quality and invasive species monitoring programs.

Finally, the proponent will be expected to assist with the Neebing and McIntyre River Sea Lamprey Trapping Program. This project requires the student biologist to assist with conducting mark and release studies and collecting raw data to be used to generate population estimates of the Sea Lamprey. Fish identification and dissection skills are required.

The successful candidate will support LRCA’s water quality sampling programs. 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. In addition, the Environmental Technician (Biology) will support cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) monitoring, the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network, and Mosquito Creek monitoring initiatives.

The Environmental Technician (Biology) will assist with invasive species monitoring programs and contribute to ongoing projects. The proponent will be expected to participate in the Thunder Bay Regional Phragmites Collaboration, by continuing to locate, map, and monitor invasive Phragmites within the Thunder Bay Region and surrounding municipalities and townships. Using Survey 123, iNaturalist, and EDDmaps, the Environmental Technician (Biology) will continue to collect data on native and invasive stands of Phragmites.

The Environmental Technician (Biology) will be participating in invasive species pulls, specifically Narrow-leaved Cattail in Hurkett Cove. Additional, stewardship activities will be required on occasion, which involves transplanting native plants and restoration planting events.

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.
• Cyanobacteria testing and sampling at Hazelwood Lake, Mission Island Marsh, Silver Harbour, and Hurkett Cove.

2)      Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network and Mosquito Creek

• Pick up sampling materials and complete chain of custody.
• Collect samples and water quality data at designated sites.
• Ensure all equipment is packed and ready to go, including data sheets.

3)      Sea Lamprey Trapping Program

• Conduct a Sea Lamprey mark and recapture study on the Neebing and McIntyre Rivers.
• Remove, identify, and count fish and invertebrates captured in traps.
• Assist with collecting biological data from Sea Lampreys.
• Complete related field reports (environmental data and daily report).
• Assist with the dissection of recaptured Sea Lamprey.

4)      Phragmites Monitoring and Mapping:

• Locate and report invasive and native stands of Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp. australis) using Survey 123, iNaturalist, and EDDmaps.
• Map the side of the stands using a Trimble Hand-Held GPS unit.
• Working with the GIS/Water Resources Technologist to produce final map products.

5)      Stewardship Program support:

• 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 Biology,  Environmental Studies, or a related program with relevant experience in areas such as water quality, hydrology, water resources, and environmental science.
• Experience in a variety of field sampling techniques and monitoring protocols is an asset.
• Working knowledge of handheld GPS equipment would be an asset.
• Fish, 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 the ability to write technical reports.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.
• 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