Position: Junior/Intermediate Biologist

Location: Nanaimo, BC

Wage: $27.00 - $32.00/h (based on experience) & 4% hourly vacation pay

Type: Contract

Hours: 24-32 hours per week, 7.5-8h per day on average with occasional overtime required

Term: November 2026 – March 31, 2027 (with potential for extension pending funding approvals)

Anticipated Start Date: November 9, 2026

Closing Date: October 31, 2026

British Columbia Conservation Foundation’s vision is for thriving fish and wildlife populations in British Columbia. Our mission supports fish and wildlife through education, collaboration and habitat conservation. The Foundation is a mission-driven, registered non-profit and charity. We are one of the most active environmental non-profits in the province and were established in 1969.

BC Conservation Foundation (BCCF) is seeking a motivated and adaptable Junior/Intermediate Biologist to join our Aquatic Research and Restoration Centre (ARRC) team in Nanaimo and support the delivery of a diverse range of fisheries and environmental projects on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Working out of the BCCF regional office in Nanaimo, BC, the successful candidate will bring practical fisheries field experience, strong organizational skills, a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and respond quickly to changing schedules and project responsibilities. The Junior/Intermediate Biologist reports to the ARRC Regional Coordinator and will work with and under the supervision of other ARRC biologists & technicians.

The BCCF's Aquatic Research and Restoration Centre operates on the traditional and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Responsibilities

- Support the planning and delivery of fisheries, aquatic habitat, restoration and environmental projects from planning, field implementation, data management, reporting and project close-out.




- Assist with project coordination activities, logistics, equipment preparation, documentation and tracking project deliverables.
- Participate in (with potential to lead) fisheries field programs, including winter snorkel surveys, fish/habitat assessments, electrofishing and other aquatic monitoring activities.
- Collect, organize and maintain fisheries and environmental data, field notes and project records.
- Contribute to the preparation of reports, project summaries and funding proposals.
- Adapt to changing field conditions, schedules and project priorities while staying organized and focused on tasks at hand.
- Maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, First Nations, consultants, contractors, community partners and other project collaborators.

Qualifications

- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada for the specified period.
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Biology, Aquatic Sciences, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
- Minimum 2 years relevant professional experience in fisheries or aquatic sciences in British Columbia, including both field and office-based project work.
- Experience conducting fisheries snorkel surveys, including experience working in both summer and winter field conditions.
- Project coordination/project management experience, including planning field days, scheduling personnel and resources, tracking budgets and deliverables, and coordinating multiple project priorities.




- Experience working on physically demanding field projects in challenging environmental conditions.
- Experience in technical writing, including preparation of technical reports, funding proposals, and responses to Requests for Proposals.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with clients, project partners and field staff.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative and integrated team environment.
- Experience implementing field safety protocols, conducting field-based risk assessments and responding to safety-related incidents.
- Class 5 driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Skills

- Solid organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple assigned tasks and changing priorities.
- Good problem-solving skills and sound judgement in field and office environments.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with ARRC biologists, technicians, project managers and external partners.
- Physically active and enjoys working outdoors.
- Desire to continuously learn new skills.

Assets

- Current Swiftwater Safety Level 1 certification
- Current Electrofishing certification
- Current WorkSafeBC OFA Level 1 certification
- Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio) or eligible for registration by the College of Applied Biology
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
- Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)
- Previous experience leading or in crew for snorkel survey programs
- Experience with fish handling and fish capture/sampling methods
- Experience working collaboratively with First Nations and government partners
- Familiarity with GIS and/or statistical or programming tools such as R or Python

📌 Junior/Intermediate Biologist (Nanaimo)
🏢 British Columbia Conservation Foundation
📍 Nanaimo