Field Staff, Restoration & Infrastructure (Toronto Waterfront Cormorant Management)

Position Details:

Number of Vacancies: 18

Current Rate of Pay: Min = $23.54/hr, Max = $27.29/hr

Employment type: Seasonal

Duration of employment: 10 weeks

Hours of work: 40 hrs/week

Work location: Tommy Thompson Park/Toronto Island Park

Division: Restoration & Infrastructure

Business unit: Restoration and Resource Management

Travel: 5%

Remote Work: None

Existing Vacancy: Yes

Seasonal Hire TRCA – 2025

Seasonal job opportunities are plentiful at TRCA. If you are looking for seasonal job openings, we can provide great opportunities and seasonal perks. Apply now!

Please submit your resume and cover letter in one file (PDF or Word).

By working at TRCA you will:

• Work outdoors during the spring and summer in beautiful natural areas.
• Gain valuable experience working at a conservation authority.
• Get a free Conservation Ontario annual pass.
• Get access to TRCA’s Reciprocal Program (discounts across various Ontario attractions).

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:

The Field Staff will work as a team to implement the Cormorant Management Strategy at Tommy Thompson Park and/or Toronto Island Park. Deterrent techniques will be used at dawn and dusk to deter cormorants from nesting in healthy trees. Primary deterrent techniques use forestry poles to knock partially built nests from the high tree canopy. This is labour intensive and requires strong shoulder and upper body strength.

The Field Staff must be available to work flexible hours including morning or evening shifts (pre-dawn/post-dusk) on a rotating 5 of 7 day/week schedule (including weekend shifts) at Toronto Island Park, and morning or evening shifts 6 days/week at Tommy Thompson Park. Start/end time will change throughout the season based on daylight hours.  

Occupational health and safety is a major responsibility of this position. Staff are required to wear respirators while working in the colonies and have a clean-shaven face to ensure proper respirator fit.

This contract starts Monday April 7 and ends Friday June 13, 2025.

Major Responsibilities:

• Perform the following tasks under general supervision:
• Monitor nesting activities of Double-crested Cormorants.
• Deter cormorants from nesting in designated areas using a suite of repetitive and strenuous physical techniques including (but not limited to) human presence in the colony, noise makers and nest removal using forestry poles.
• Conduct colonial waterbird nesting population surveys.
• Participate in daily safety meetings including tailgate meetings, hazard identification and emergency planning.
• Operate equipment required to execute work duties related to the project.
• Assist with maintenance of equipment and vehicles, perform daily vehicle circle and other health and safety checks.
• Assist with other ecological and maintenance projects such as invasive vegetation removal, tree and shrub planting, aquatic planting, and trail maintenance.
• Incumbents may also be assigned other duties

What will you need to succeed:

• Minimum pursuing a post-secondary diploma or degree in a related field (biology, environmental sciences, ecology, wildlife management, etc.).
• Valid Class G2 Driver’s License
• Valid Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Certification an asset
• Pleasure Craft Operator Card an asset. 
• Experience working with, or around colonial waterbirds an asset.
• Good physical fitness and strong upper body strength required to perform deterrent activities.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions and in adverse environments.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify problems in a timely manner, seeking the appropriate level of support to solve issues. 
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act, related regulations and legislation.
• Required to lift or carry objects that could weigh up to 50lbs

While the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) thanks all applicants for their interest, only those under consideration will be contacted for interviews. Please be advised that successful incumbent(s) may be required to undergo a vulnerable sector screening and/or driver’s abstract check as a part of the final step in the hiring process.

TRCA is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and TRCA Policies, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to the TRCA. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Personal information you provide through the TRCA recruitment, selection, and onboarding process is collected under the authority of the Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27. Collection of this personal information is necessary for the proper administration of this recruitment process for employment and volunteer positions with TRCA. Personal information is protected from disclosure pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  Any questions regarding this collection activity should be directed to the Manager of Records and Information, 101 Exchange Avenue, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 5R6, (437) 880 2308.