Crew Leader (Toronto Waterfront Cormorant Management - Seasonal)

Position Details:

Vacancies: 4

Current Rate of Pay: Min = $29.00/hr, Max = $33.61/hr

Employment type: Seasonal

Duration of employment: 13 weeks

Hours of work: 40 hours/week

Work location: Tommy Thompson Park and/or Toronto Island Park

Division: Restoration and 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 Crew Leader will lead a team of Field Staff 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 technique 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 Crew Leader will also identify ecological and maintenance needs to the supervisor, will lead tasks as directed, and will actively participate in the safe operation and maintenance of a range of required tools and equipment.

The Crew Leader 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 March 17 and ends Friday June 13, 2025.

Major Responsibilities:

• Perform the following tasks under general supervision:
• Conducts field work and supports the coordination of field work by providing on-site work coordination and leadership to the team.
• Monitor nesting activities of Double-crested Cormorants.
• Deter cormorants from nesting in designated areas using a repetitive and strenuous suite of physical techniques including (but not limited to) human presence in the colony, noise makers and nest removal using forestry poles.
• Coordinates the operation and maintenance of equipment as required (small tools and equipment); may also operate machinery/tools as required.
• Ensures the required site activities are completed as per work scope.
• Lead and/or participate in daily safety meetings including tailgate meetings, hazard identification and emergency planning, and leads daily vehicle and equipment inspections to ensure safe operation. 
• Complete daily work reports and project information records as assigned. 
• Provides interpretation to park visitors on cormorants and the management strategy. Refers detailed questions and complaints to supervisor. 
• Assist with the oversight, training, and motivation of junior staff in compliance with the TRCA Health and Safety Policies as well as all relevant Federal, Provincial, and Municipal legislation and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

What will you need to succeed:

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)    

• Completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree in Resource or Ecosystem or Wildlife Management, Ecological Restoration, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field.
• Valid Ontario Class G driver’s license.
• Valid Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Certification an asset.
• Pleasure Craft Operator Card an asset.

Experience

• 1+ years of experience in implementation tasks in area of colonial waterbird or wildlife management.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Tommy Thompson Park Double-crested Cormorant Management Strategy.
• Knowledge of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, fish and wildlife habitat, common plant identification and ecology.
• The ability to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills in a field environment; is able to break down site required activities and delegate and estimate time / resources / budget required to complete tasks.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Familiarity with mapping natural landscape features and reading maps. GIS experience an asset.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team leader.
• Good physical fitness and strong upper body strength required to perform deterrent activities.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite including online software such as MS teams, WebEx, and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act, related regulations and legislation.
• Required to lift or carry objects that could weigh up to 50lbs. 
• Candidates will be required to be clean shaven to properly fit a respirator.

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.