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A
Job To Love
Imagine crouching in a row of bulrushes
by a lake and watching dozens of birds
sweep across the sky. The birds land
smoothly on the water and you spot a
blue-winged duck near the water’s
edge. You quietly extend your net to
capture the duck so you can get a close
look at her. Checking the colour of
the duck’s beak and feet, you know
that she’s four years old. After
applying a band to her leg, you gently
release the duck and watch her swim
away. This banding program will help
scientists understand how different
environments affect the lifespan of
American Black ducks. Next week, you’ll
be observing wolves because Elders in
the community suspect a decline in their
population.
Wildlife
technicians support scientists
in wildlife management and animal
biology by collecting scientific samples
and analyzing them. They mostly work
outdoors. They also work indoors in
offices and laboratories. They work
both on their own and as part of a
team. Many wildlife technicians live
in their home communities and Aboriginal
wildlife technicians monitor wildlife
that their Elders and families depend
on for traditional food.
It’s
great to have an outdoor job, but
as a wildlife technician you’ll
perform strenuous physical activities
in all kinds of weather conditions.
You’ll walk long distances, which
can be tough when you’re soaking
wet from the pouring rain. Often,
you’ll need to work shift and
weekend work, which can be hard on
your personal life. Then again, you’ll
be spending most of your work time
in the great outdoors, observing animals.
What could be better?
Job
Description
Wildlife technicians study and observe
animals to help scientists with research.
They collect information on animals,
plants, seeds, water, and soil. They
use their findings to learn about animal
populations in the wild. For example,
a wildlife technician might study peregrine
falcons in a region. Technicians would
count the birds and their chicks, study
their eggshells to calculate the level
of DDT in the shell, and tag some birds
with radio transmitters to track their
movements. Wildlife technicians use
their research to monitor things like
size and health of the population, disease
outbreaks, and the effects of hunting.
Wildlife technicians work for research
and educational institutions, environmental
consulting companies, and the government.
Job Duties
- Collect
and analyze scientific data; report
your findings to scientists
- Conduct
plant and animal surveys
- Set
up and maintain laboratories
- Develop
computer models of animal habitats
- Operate
laboratory and field equipment such
as microscopes and sample kits
- Help
scientists with special projects
such as buying and improving land
so that wildlife can live there
Fact
Organochlorine pesticides, like DDT,
almost eliminated North American peregrine
falcons. DDT is dangerous because
it accumulates in fatty tissues, and
as carnivores, falcons consumed high
levels of the pesticide through eating
other animals. Eventually, DDT caused
the birds’ eggshells to thin
and the shells would crush before
chicks were born, resulting in a near
extinction of the raptor.
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High
school courses that will prepare you
for this job include biology, math,
chemistry, and English. Aboriginal studies,
history, and languages will prepare
you for working in a multi-cultural
setting. Talk to your career or academic
counsellor about options such as computers
and physics.
The minimum education requirement for
this job is a one- to two-year college
diploma in biology, wildlife, or natural
resource management or a related field.
A university degree will make you more
competitive in the job market and you’ll
find it easier to get a job and negotiate
your salary.
Look into specific high school prerequisites
set by the college or university you
would like to attend.
- Orienteering
- Field
Sampling
- Global
Positioning Systems (GPS) use
- Standard
and Wilderness First Aid
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Wildlife
technicians with a high school diploma
make an average of $28,000.00 per
year.
Wildlife technicians with a college
diploma make an average of $32,000.00
per year.
Wildlife technicians with several
years of education and experience
make an average of $50,000.00 per
year.
Financial Assistance
In addition to the general scholarship
tips listed in the BUILD MY CAREER
section, the following award is specificto
wildlife technicians:
Canadian Council for Technicians
and Technologists
Contact: Awards and Scholarships
285 McLeod Street
Ottawa, ON
K2P 1A1
Telephone: (613) 238-8123
Fax: (613) 238-8822
email: ccttadm@cct.ca
ATCO Gas Energy, Natural Resources
Technologies Bursary
$1,000.00 administered by Keyano College
Contact: Keyano College
8115 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB
T9H 2H7
Telephone: 1 (800) 251-1480
Fax: (780) 791-1555
website: www.keyanoc.ab.ca
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Some
of the best knowledge you’ll
gain for this job will come from listening
to the stories and wisdom of your
relations. Ask your Elders how animal
populations have changed over the
years. Ask them where they normally
find wildlife at specific times of
the year. Do wildlife in your region
normally migrate to another region?
What does a healthy animal look and
act like? Join your family on camping,
hunting, and fishing trips. The time
you spend outdoors will make your
studies easier and your understanding
of the natural world will appeal to
employers.
Relate to people in similar jobs:
- Conservation
biologist
Conservation officer
Relate
and interact with land use planners.
Ask them what they like about their
jobs, and how you should get started.
The Canadian Federation of Biological
Societies / Federation canadienne
des sociétés de biologie
305-1750 Courtwood Crescent
Ottawa, ON
K2C 2B5
Telephone: (613) 223-8889
Fax: (613) 225-9621
website: www.cfbs.org
The Canadian Museum of Nature
P.O. Box 3443, Station D
Ottawa ON
K1P 6P4
Telephone: (613) 566-4700
email: questions@mus-nature.ca
website: www.nature.ca
Canadian Council of Technicians and
Technologists (CCTT)
Ottawa, ON
K2P 1A1
Telephone: (613) 238-8123
website: www.cctt.ca
Relate with other students. There
are Aboriginal student associations
and resource centers at most colleges
and universities. Visit these centres
to find out what they have to offer.
Also, look into community, friendship,
and multi-cultural centres.
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