Job Posting

Project Co-ordinator, Boreal Avian Modelling Project

The Boreal Avian Modelling Project is seeking a part-time Project Co-ordinator to facilitate program delivery for this national effort to provide predictive science on bird populations in Canada’s boreal forest.

The Boreal Avian Modelling Project (BAM) is an ambitious, collaborative project that is applying model-based approaches to data amassed by avian researchers across Canada, in order to determine the distribution, abundance, density and habitat associations of boreal birds. This will enable us to characterize boreal bird communities, and to predict  population- and community-level responses to human activity such as industrial development and climate change. 

The BAM team is geographically distributed among Edmonton, Whitehorse, and Quebec City.  The project is led by a Steering Committee, with a core staff based in Edmonton (data manager, project ecologists), and affiliates working with individual Steering Committee members.  BAM is supported by a Technical Committee of avian researchers distributed across government, university and other institutions in Canada, and by the generous contributions of our data partners and funders.  Further information about the project is available at http://www.borealbirds.ca.

The primary responsibility for the project co-ordinator will be to facilitate efficient project operation and delivery of results under the direction of the Steering Committee.  Duties will include project management, workplan development, performance monitoring, policy development, internal planning and communications, assistance with grant and contract management (e.g. reporting), and co-ordination of external  communications, including direction of contractors engaged in web design and content creation, and communications to the project Technical Committee, data partners, funders and other end-users.

The ideal candidate will have a good foundation in biological sciences and natural resource management, proven abilities in scientific project management, team work and science communications, a commitment to  the conservation of birds and boreal forests in Canada, and a familiarity with sectors and agencies involved in boreal forest management.  Strong organisational abilities, flexibility, ability to work with diverse personalities, and initiative are desirable skills for this position. Excellent written and oral communication are essential. Fluency in both official languages is an asset.  This position will require some travel in Canada.

Start date and location are negotiable, but ideally will begin as soon as possible (i.e. early 2010) and will be co-located with BAM staff  at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Position is offered for one year with possibility of extension based on performance and funding. Salary for this part-time position is $25,000/an. plus benefits.  Interested individuals should send their CV plus a cover letter explaining how their experience meets the qualifications described above to:

Trish Fontaine
Department of Renewable Resources
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
T6G 2H1

Or via email:  trish.fontaine<at>ualberta.ca