ben desrochers

JOB OBJECTIVE

Looking for a responsible junior/intermediate position in the environmental science sector that will make use of his analytical and technical skills and leverage hands-on environmental monitoring experience obtained from BC West Coast fish farms.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science Degree,UBCO Earth & Environmental Sciences/ Geography: B+ average maintained
• Over 3 years operational experience as Aquaculture Technician II, recently promoted to Tech I
• Responsible, mature individual – excels at methodical work requiring precision, attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving, analysis, reporting writing skills; experience in geology, marine fieldwork
• Passion for aquatic environments and water resources, sustainability concepts, environmental stewardship
• Field work skills including water sampling, mortality examination / classification
• Lab skills: weighing / sampling, data entry, basic familiarity with gas chromatography equipment

EDUCATION

2018                Bachelor of Science

Earth & Environmental Sciences (major in Freshwater studies) University of British Columbia, Okanagan (UBCO), Kelowna,BC GPA maintained: 3.4/4.3

2013                High School Graduate, Academic Program

Valleyview Secondary School (VSS), Kamloops, BC

International Student Transfer(2010) – Marine Program– Six months South Fremantle Secondary High School

Perth, WesternAustralia

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Saltwater Technician I - Aquaculture                                                                                    Aug 2019 - Current

Cermaq Canada, Tofino BC

As a Tech I based in Tofino, Ben was responsible for a wide range of tasks related to the safe farming of Atlantic salmonat larger facilities on the west coast. Typical duties include:

• Collecting water samples for plankton analysis, environmental data collection/ entry (FishTalk program)
• Assisting with fish sampling for weight, length and parasite assessments
• Fish feeding, including hand feeding and auto feeding
• Daily mortality collection, examination and cause of death identification / recording
• Sea lice monitoring and reporting
• Marine transport - small boat (20 ft max) operations and safety
• Camp team member for site / equipment inspection, maintenance, environmental monitoring, some new hire training

Although based primarily at the Bawden Point site, have also gained experience at several other Cermaq facilities in the area, including set up and commissioning of new farm at Fortune Channel. Have also had the opportunity to assist the operation of specialized Salar and Aqua-Service equipment for sea lice removal.

Technical Skills

• Class 5 BC Drivers License
• Level 1 Marine First Aid (Nov 2019)
• Introduction to Environmental Monitoring Online course-UNBC (Feb 2023)
• Pleasure Craft Operators License(Mar 2020)
• Restricted Marine Radio Operator Certificate (Feb 2021)
• Forklift Operator Certificate (Mar 2021)
• Corporate Training(Cermaq)
  • Building Bridges with First Nations
  • Fish Health course,Aquacare365 Fish Welfare,Introduction to PlanktonIdentification, Advanced
  • Plankton Identification, and Real Fish Pro Data entry software
  • Building Bridges with First Nations
  • Workplace Hazards, Fire Extinguisher, Electrical Safety/Awareness, and Confined Space Awareness training
  • Due Diligence, Incident Investigation, and Lockout/Tag out
  • Small Non-Pleasure VesselMarine Basic Safety
  • Covid-19 Awareness training

Greenskeeper / Environmental Monitoring

Rivershore Golf Links, Kamloops, BC                            May 2017 – Aug 2019 Responsible for golf greens maintenance during summer season. Typical duties included:

• Greens cutting, trimming using specialized mobileequipment (Cutters, Kubotas, Gators, Rakers)
• Routine checks / maintenance of mobile equipment(fuel, oil, hydraulics, water, filters)
• Obtaining moisturereadings, analyzing data,preparing recommendations reports for water usage reductions
• Responsible for taking moisture readings on greens, compiling data and writing reports used to improve precision application of water

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Line Cook / Food Prep                                                                                                            July 2013 – Aug 2016

Cora’s Restaurant, Kamloops, BC

Progressive range of responsibilities, part-time to full-time work over three year period, from kitchen prep / support tasks to line cook.

• Responsible for training of new hires (kitchen, food prep)
• Entrusted with company vehicle for deliveries / pickups, cash handling
• Acknowledged for outstanding work ethic, friendly nature and exceptional attitude / companycommitment

OTHER INTERESTS / ACTIVITIES

• Taekwondo MartialArts - Level 4 Black Belt / Youth Instructor
• Swimming, alpineskiing, water skiing,hiking

Cermaq Canada, Tofino BC

As a Tech I based in Tofino, Ben was responsible for a wide range of tasks related to the safe farming of Atlantic salmon in larger facilities on the west coast. Typical duties include:

• Collecting water samples for plankton analysis, environmental data collection/ entry (FishTalk program)
• Assisting with fish sampling for weight, length and parasite assessments
• Fish feeding, including hand feeding and auto feeding
• Daily mortality collection, examination and cause of death identification / recording
• Sea lice monitoring and reporting
• Marine transport - small boat (20 ft max) operations and safety
• Camp team member for site / equipment inspection, maintenance, environmental monitoring, some new hire training

Although based primarily at the Bawden Point site, have also gained experience at several other Cermaq facilities in the area, including set up and commissioning of new farm at Fortune Channel. Have also had the opportunity to assist the operation of specialized Salar and Aqua-Service equipment for sea lice removal. 

Greenskeeper / Environmental Monitoring

Rivershore Golf Links, Kamloops, BC                            May 2017 – Aug 2019 Responsible for golf greens maintenance during summer season. Typical duties included:

• Greens cutting, trimming using specialized mobile equipment (Cutters, Kubotas, Gators, Rakers)
• Routine checks / maintenance of mobile equipment(fuel, oil, hydraulics, water, filters)
• Obtaining moisture readings, analyzing data, preparing recommendations reports for water usage reductions
• Responsible for taking moisture readings on greens, compiling data and writing reports used to improve precision application of water

Bachelor's of Freshwater Science from University of British Columbia, Okanagan branch Kelowna

Introduction to Environmental Monitoring, online through the University of Northern British Columbia