Stewardship Technician

Overview

Positions available : 2

Organization : The Couchiching Conservancy

Location : Orillia, Ontario, Canada

Reports to : Conserved Lands Manager

Duration : 16 weeks Start Date : May 1, 2026 Wage : $20 / hr (35 hours / week)

Accommodations : Available if required

Deadline to Apply : March 1 2026

A non-profit charitable land trust, The Couchiching Conservancy has helped protect 15,209 acres of environmentally significant land in the Couchiching region. The Conservancy’s mandate is to protect the special natural features of the region for present and future generations through land acquisition and stewardship projects on both private and public land. The Conservancy is responsible for the stewardship and management of 59 nature reserves and conservation easements and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation.

Position Overview

The Couchiching Conservancy is seeking two enthusiastic individuals to join our team as Stewardship Technicians for the summer. This role offers training in Best Practices for habitat management, including invasive species control, climate change adaptation, and species at risk recovery efforts. Technicians will participate in targeted management of forests, grasslands, wetlands, alvar, and other habitats. They will participate in events that involve Community Science volunteers in Species at Risk Monitoring Programs. Technicians will also be trained to use conservation software for mapping and data handling and receive guidance in pursuing careers in conservation. Work hours will be weekdays with an occasional weekend day for volunteer events, and activities will be coordinated by the Conserved Lands Manager. Safety equipment and training are provided.

Responsibilities

Habitat Management & Species at Risk Recovery

• Implement site-specific invasive species management activities to support native habitat restoration, climate resilience, and species at risk recovery. These may include mapping, monitoring, manual removal, herbicide application under supervision of a Licensed Applicator, or other actions with the Reserve Steward.
• Assist with habitat management of grasslands, alvar, forests, and wetlands. Actions may include mitigation of damage from climate-change driven events, restoration, or species at risk recovery actions.
• Assess management effectiveness and identify emerging threats, climate-related stressors, and priority areas for future work.
• Collect accurate qualitative and quantitative field data, including photo documentation and spatial data during all visits to nature reserves and conservation easements to support long-term monitoring and adaptive management.
• Enter and organize data using Landscape Conservation Software and other organizational databases.
• Coordinate closely with the Reserve Steward, Conservation Analyst, and Conservation Biologist to align field activities with conservation objectives.

Volunteer Engagement & Stewardship

Qualifications

Successful applicants must :

Preferred Qualifications :

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to meghan@couchconservancy.ca with the email subject line, Application : Invasive Species Technician. Join us in connecting with the community and inspiring action for protecting nature! The deadline to apply is 1 March 2026.

#J-18808-Ljbffr