Wildlife Field Technician

Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium-size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking for energetic and experienced Wildlife Field Technicians to help with our 2026 field season.

WEST is driven by its principles and core values providing scientifically defensible solutions technical expertise quality client service satisfying careers collaborative team approach respectful atmosphere and continual improvement. For over three decades our employees have exemplified these principles and helped shape the foundation of what we do who we are and what we believe in. WEST employees are both collaborative and independent thinkers and doers that help develop solutions to natural resource and environmental problems and those solutions have a real impact in the world around us. We invite you to be part of the solution.

Number of positions available: 2

Location: Calgary AB

Job Type: Temporary Full Time

Tentative Start Date: Q2/Q3 2026 or as needed

Pay Rate: $25-$35/hour based on experience

Benefits: WEST Benefits

Job Description:
Primary duties may include:

• Standardized bird migration breeding bird sharp-tailed grouse lek burrowing owl or other avian use surveys;
• Raptor nest monitoring;
• Construction monitoring;
• Amphibian reptile and mammal surveys;
• Amphibian salvages;
• Species-specific surveys for Species of Management Concern (SOMC);
• Bat acoustic detector and/or thermal camera setup and maintenance;
• Pre-disturbance nest surveys;
• Other ecological surveys (e.g. wetland soil and vegetation assessments);
• Field data QAQC processing and demobilization;
• Data entry and management;
• Weekly timesheet and expense report completion;
• Bird and bat fatality monitoring at operating renewable energy facilities (post-construction monitoring);
• Carcass handling and management in support of post-construction monitoring programs;
• Support reporting as needed: compiling tables and figures report writing; and
• Office-based administrative assistance as needed.

This position consists of 95% fieldwork and travel between the field and the Calgary office. Fieldwork will require long days (up to 12 hours) with overnight stays in remote locations sometimes for extended periods of time (up to 3-4 weeks).

Fieldwork will require candidates to:

• Demonstrate strong bird identification skills in boreal parkland and prairie habitats;
• Start survey work early in the morning (e.g. 3 AM) or late at night (e.g. 10 PM) as needed;
• Work through weekends and holidays as needed;
• Work long shifts up to 22 consecutive days as needed;
• Work overtime hours (i.e. more than 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week) whilst in the field as needed;
• Work effectively either independently or in small crews;
• Demonstrate effective communication organizational and time management skills;
• Walk long distances (up to 20 km per day) in uneven or difficult terrain;
• Work in a range of environmental conditions (e.g. heat cold wind);
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating a four-wheel drive vehicle in off-road conditions;
• Work around/in hazards typical of rural environments (e.g. livestock dust mud snow wind extreme heat and cold);
• Work in rattlesnake grizzly bear black bear cougar and wolf habitat;
• Work in areas with little to no cellphone signal and utilize satellite and radio devices for regular communication as required by safety protocols;
• Demonstrate due care of field equipment vehicles and office equipment;
• Collect quality legible field data and adhere to administrative processes pertaining to fieldwork safety and HR;
• Work well under time constraintsand meet deliverable targets and deadlines; and
• Follow protocols and work efficiently

This is a general description of requirements for this position and may not be inclusive of all duties.

Minimum Requirements:

• Legally allowed to work in Canadai.e. Canadian citizen Canadian permanent resident or have an existing VISA with no work restrictions) Please note: US citizens require a Canadian work visa to work in Canada;
• Completed and received a relevant technical diploma Bachelors degree or Masters degree in ecology zoology environmental science or management or other related discipline;
• Possession of a valid drivers licence with no restrictions;
• Able to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g. Enterprise);
• Able to obtain a drivers abstract that meets WESTs minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company;
• Able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients;
• High level of initiative and ability to think critically to solve challenging problems;
• Capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements outlined by WEST and our clients for the duration of their employment; and
• Have durable steel-toed boots and hiking boots with a minimum 6-inch ankle (waterproof highly recommended) snake gaiters and good quality binoculars (8x42 or 10x42). These pieces of field equipment will not be reimbursed by WEST.

Desired Skills:

• Experience conducting avian use point counts and other biological fieldwork;
• Ability to identify >75% of bird species in western Canada by sound and >90% by sight;
• Previous experience using tablet data collection systems and apps (ie. Field Maps Survey123);
• Previous experience leading field crews; and
• Previous experience completing the aforementioned survey types.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race color religion sex age sexual orientation national or ethnic origin mental or physical disability marital status family status or any other characteristic protected by federal provincial or local law.

To apply: Please visit the careers page at and select the appropriate job you wish to apply for and follow the application instructions provided.