Western Painted Turtle Husbandry Technician - Surrey, Canada - British Columbia Conservation Foundation

British Columbia Conservation Foundation

Verified Company

Surrey, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

British Columbia's only remaining native freshwater turtle species, the Pacific Coast population of Western Painted Turtles (_Chrysemys picta bellii_), is federally threatened and provincially red-listed.

Head-starting involves captive breeding and rearing individuals to a larger size and benefits the population by increasing the juvenile survivorship rate.

LOCATION OF JOB:
North Vancouver

TERM: 1st June, 2023 for four months, with the possibility of extension

SALARY:
$17.75/hour (plus 4% vacation pay paid out hourly)

Duties Include:

Daily care of the turtles is required to ensure each turtle remains healthy and fit for future release.

Weigh-Ins and Sick Turtle Care
Weigh-ins for small or sick turtles may occur daily with one-on-one care and treatments. Each turtle will be weighed and measured (carapace width and length) and inspected for obvious health issues. Turtles may be relocated to different tanks based on their current size, condition, and growth rates. Additional trips to the vet or Animal Health Lab may be required.

Weekly Water Change and Filter Maintenance
Weekly water changes are required to maintain turtle health. Each tank must be thoroughly cleaned weekly, removing accumulated waste, debris, and algae forming on tank walls. Filters must be washed or replaced. Filters will be changed once a month or sooner as needed. Detailed tracking of the tank and filter maintenance is required.

Facility Cleaning

Cleanliness and disinfecting of the facility is of the utmost importance for turtle health, as well as the health and safety of all staff and volunteers on site.

The entire facility is to be cleaned and tidied, including garbage removal, floor sweeping and washing/disinfecting counters and sinks regularly.

Any larger-scale facility needs are to be reported to Project Leads (lighting, renovation, plumbing etc.).

Daily Feeding

Daily Checks
Filters, lights, and heaters must be inspected daily for proper functioning. Inventory must be maintained for turtle food, cleaning supplies, and other facility requirements. During the hatching season, incubators must also be monitored for correct temperature, humidity, and detection of emerging hatchlings. Data will be collected and recorded on a provided iPad.

Releases, Reporting and Assistance with Other Components of the WPT Project
Additional time may be required to accommodate turtle releases and other components of the turtle recovery project.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have animal care or husbandry experience, preferably with reptiles
Applicants must be physically fit and be prepared to spend a significant amount of time cleaning
Applicants must be willing to work a varied schedule (usually weekends) on a rotating schedule with other staff
Applicants must be independently organized, take pride in their work, and show excellent communication skills to coordinate with offsite team members
Applicants must follow strict safety protocols and adhere to all health and safety regulations, legislations and policies
Applicants must have strong data entry and management skills
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada
Applicants must have transportation to the North Vancouver site

Asset Qualifications

Previous biological work experience in the conservation of threatened and/or endangered species
Understanding of animal behaviour and reproductive biology of turtles
Competency in using Excel and Word
Familiarity with iPad apps, including Forms Connect
Valid occupational first aid certification
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Position Open Until Filled. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

BCCF reserves the right to cancel or postpone recruitment to this position based on project priorities, funding and other staffing considerations.

COVID-19:

While the BC Conservation Foundation does not currently have a mandatory COVID-19 policy, we take The BC Public Health Officer's guidelines seriously.

Many of our clients have enacted mandates that stipulate vaccination requirements be met by their workers and contractors.

In light of this, we require all BC Conservation Foundation employees, our contractors and volunteers to be fully vaccinated before entering client mandated worksites, unless having a properly supported human rights exemption reflected under the provisions of the BC Human Rights Code.

**_ The BC Conservation Foundation respectfully acknowledges that we operate on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of many Indigenous Peoples throughout British Columbia._