Species at Risk Intern

Located at the head of Lake Ontario and within the municipalities of Burlington and Hamilton, Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada and one of the nation’s earliest nature sanctuaries. Comprising some 2,200 acres of protected wetlands, botanical collections, parkland and display gardens, and within easy access of millions of nature-starved urban citizens, RBG dedicates its expertise in horticulture, conservation, science and education to connect people, plants and place for the purpose of nurturing and preserving healthy growing life on our planet. RBG directs its efforts, and seeks the support of individuals and organizations, to realize its vision of a world in which everyone is awake to the beauty, diversity and necessity of plants, and from that consciousness more actively works together to protect and preserve plant species and habitats and, by extension, our planet. The primary objective of the Species at Risk Program is the protection of habitat for species with a focus on endangered plants as well as wildlife that link with the recovery of the coastal marshes within the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan.

The position is responsible for assisting the Senior Species at Risk Biologist with implementing monitoring and restoration programs. The position will involve activities in the wetlands, forests and meadows of RBG’s nature reserves. This will include aspects such as invasive species management, at risk plant community and wildlife population monitoring, turtle tracking, data input and reporting.

Duration: April 20, 2026 - December 18, 2026

Positions Available: 1

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Assist in monitoring selected Species at Risk populations, tree health, and forest understory flora to support conservation efforts and ensure the long-term health of ecosystems.
• Assist in various non-native plant species control programs to mitigate the spread of invasive species and promote biodiversity, which can include the application of pesticides.
• Assist with the tracking and protection of nesting turtles to contribute to species conservation and improve survival rates.
• Assist with the collection and recording of scientific data to support research, inform decision-making, and ensure accurate environmental assessments.
• Assist in the coordination of volunteers, temporary staff, and support contractors to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of conservation initiatives.
• Operate vehicles, boats, gators, and radio tracking equipment to facilitate fieldwork, species monitoring, and habitat assessments.
• Prepare summary reports of the year’s activities to document progress, findings, and recommendations for future conservation efforts.
• Communicate with the public about conservation work to raise awareness, foster community engagement, and promote environmental stewardship.
• Deliver a presentation related to the internship to share insights, promote knowledge sharing and professional development.
• Understand, maintain, and support the levels of discretion necessary for keeping Species at Risk safe.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in the Environmental field and some related work experience normally acquired through a combination of formal and informal training and practical hands-on work and/or volunteer experience.
• Possess flora and fauna identification skills, specifically distinguishing between native and non-native species, to support conservation efforts and inform ecological management decisions.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal and provincial Species at Risk-related legislation to ensure compliance with conservation laws and contribute to the protection of vulnerable species.
• Familiar with ecosystem restoration tools and techniques to implement effective restoration strategies that enhance habitat quality and biodiversity.
• Understands various ecosystem monitoring protocols to accurately assess environmental conditions and track ecological changes over time.
• Knowledge of local geography and hydrology to understand and address the interconnections within ecosystems for effective management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access software to efficiently manage, analyze, and visualize environmental data for research and reporting purposes.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS software to visualize environmental data for research and reporting purposes.
• Basic statistical analysis abilities to interpret ecological data, identify trends, and support evidence-based conservation strategies.
• Ability to carry out physical labour and work under various environmental conditions to perform fieldwork and implement restoration or monitoring activities in diverse and challenging environments.
• Flexibility to respond to an unpredictable schedule to meet the demands of fieldwork and environmental restoration projects.
• Experience handling wildlife to safely conduct species monitoring, research, and conservation activities.
• Maintain current certification with Standard First Aid and CPR to ensure preparedness and safety in fieldwork and emergency situations.
• G class driver’s license with access to reliable transportation as some workdays extend past when public transit is available.  

Working Conditions

• 35-hour week with flexibility to work day shifts and occasionally late evenings and nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Indoor and outdoor work environment.
• Indoor work performed in a typical office environment that included prolonged sitting and computer use.
• Physical work performed outdoors in various weather conditions, that involves repetitive motions such as walking, standing, lifting, carrying, and bending.
• Frequent exposure to sloped, rocky, swampy, overgrown and thorny conditions with poison ivy, stinging nettle, ticks, and other biting insects. 
• Outdoor field work is performed in work boots and waders, which can increase body temperature.  

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the position the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• Under age 30 and qualifying for government employment funding support programs.

RBG is committed to becoming an environmentally sustainable organization.  This is an integral part of our corporate culture, and we require all our employees to assist us with this goal. Employees need to be committed to making the best ecological decisions possible in the execution of their responsibilities, keeping in mind the possible effects decisions may have on both the human and natural environments now and into the future.

Please submit applications to www.rbg.ca/careers by February 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Please submit your cover letter and resume as one pdf file saved using the naming convention of your first then last name and position title (e.g Jane Smith Garden Interpreter.pdf). 

RBG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians Act.  We thank all applicants however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our recruitment process, ensuring efficiency and fairness. AI helps us review applications consistently, match skills to job requirements, and streamline communication. All decisions are guided by human oversight to uphold our commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. If you have questions about the use of AI in this process, feel free to contact hr@rbg.ca.