Wild Boar At-Large Eradication Specialist
Location
Northeastern Alberta, work sites including but not limited to Smoky Lake, Bonnyville, St. Paul, Two Hills, Minburn, Vermilion River, and Wainwright
Full-time/Part-time
Full time
Hours of work
Equivalent to 37.5/hrs/week and assuming 3 weeks vacation/year. Schedule at contractor discretion to best accomplish tasks
Permanent/Temporary
Temporary contract: May 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025
Pay
$72,000 – $86,000 annually. Operating costs and expenses addressed separately
Number of positions available
2
Deadline
Posting will remain open until a suitable candidate has been selected
The Alberta Pork Producer’s Development Corporation (Alberta Pork) is a fifty-year-old industry association representing over 1,000 registered pork producers in Alberta. The organization is governed by an eight-member board elected by producer members. Its mandate is to serve as a voice for producers and to address issues of importance that help enhance the profitability of our producers while ensuring public and government trust through our actions.
Role
The Wild Boar At-Large Eradication Specialist(s) works with partners in Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to remove wild boar at-large from the landscape to mitigate negative impacts to agriculture, natural resources, and animal and human health.
Responsibilities
- Work in partnership with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and other government agencies as necessary to support the Wild Boar Control Program.
- Detect and remove wild boar-at-large using current best practices as determined by Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s Wild Boar Specialist. This includes monitoring and scouting to detect wild boar and identify potential capture sites, working with landowners to secure access, setting up and maintaining traps or other devices, euthanizing wild boar following accepted and approved standards for euthanasia, and disposing of carcasses.
- Complete follow-up investigations of public reports of wild boar sightings or sign as directed by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s Wild Boar Specialist.
- Support the deployment and maintenance of remote cameras as directed by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s Wild Boar Specialist to monitor wild boar populations and measure success of control efforts.
- Cooperate and otherwise assist with any wild boar research projects supported by Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.
- Collaborate and support local municipalities as directed by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s Wild Boar Specialist.
- Provide education and outreach to landowners and members of the public encountered while on the job by promoting the Alberta Invasive Species Council’s Squeal on Pigs! campaign.
- Maintain records, collect data, and submit reports as required by Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s Wild Boar Specialist.
- Manage and maintain in good working order all required equipment and supplies.
- Ensure all operations are conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with Alberta Pork Policies and all Occupational Health and Safety Rules and Regulations.
- Follow Alberta Pork and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation biosecurity and biocontainment protocols to protect against disease transmission or spread of invasive species.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
- Natural Resource Management diploma or Biology degree with 5 years of hunting trapping or outfitting experience is required. Equivalent in hunting, trapping and/or outfitting experience may be considered in lieu.
- Public service, natural resource management or law enforcement experience an asset.
- Knowledge and experience in humane trapping and euthanasia of wildlife and other control methods.
- Experience with wild boar or using remote capture technology an asset.
- Woodsperson skills including navigation, tracking, and knowledge of Alberta landscapes and local wildlife habitats and behaviours, is required.
- Knowledge of agricultural practices an asset.
- Strong organizational, time management and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain exceptional public relations while performing duties.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Comfortable using technology.
- A collaborative mindset.
Conditions of Employment
- Submission of satisfactory Criminal Record Check.
- Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s licence.
- Valid Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence.
- Valid Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED (Intermediate First Aid).
- Ability to perform physical labour as part of job duties, including occasional heavy lifting (60-100 lbs), stand/walk for extended periods of time, and work in field conditions that include extreme weather, remote rural areas, insects and wildlife.
- Must provide and be able to safely operate all personal equipment required to complete work tasks including a cell phone, a truck and trailer, an ATV, a snowmobile, basic tools required to install and maintain traps and remote cameras, and a firearm. Trapping equipment will be provided.
- Prior to commencing, must hold General Liability Insurance with a minimum of $2M in coverage.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required by this position.
Preference will be given to applicants who apply as part of a two-person team.
How to Apply
Interested candidates may submit a cover letter, resume and three references to Charlotte Shipp, Industry Program Manager, Alberta Pork (charlotte.shipp@albertapork.com).