Climate Action Technician, East Kootenay Crew

Contract Dates: Early May to late August, 2026 (exact dates TBD) with the potential for an extension into fall (pending funding and project opportunities).

Location: Kimberley is our hub location, with the majority of our work taking place within a 50km radius of town. There is the possibility of travel to other communities and remote locations in the Columbia Basin.

Hours: 35-40 hours per week, typically Monday-Friday (though there may be occasional requirements to work evenings or weekends)

Compensation: $22.50 per hour (with an additional 4% vacation pay) + certifications and training

Certifications provided (confirmed):

• S100 / 185 (basic fire suppression and entrapment avoidance)
• FoodSafe

Training provided:

• Introduction to fire ecology and wildfire fuel sampling methods
• Basic chainsaw operation and maintenance
• Introduction to local food systems
• Introduction to stream and wetland restoration practices
• Introduction to grassland restoration practices
• Invasive species identification and management best practice
• Exposure to Ktunaxa perspectives on the land
• Leadership and communication skills
• Knowledge of local ecosystems and how climate change is impacting this area both presently and in the future
• Introduction to levels of government, community partners and methods for community engagement

Opportunity Description:

As climate change places increasing pressure on our global, regional and local ecosystems and communities, the need to respond with meaningful action could not be more pressing. Harnessing the energy and ambition of young adults, the Youth Climate Corps empowers you to inspire and implement solutions to the climate crisis through employment, training and leadership development.

This position will primarily include hands on work and skill building. There will also be some remote online programming, including some training, plus regular communication and public outreach throughout the program.

Youth Climate Corps programs in BC's Columbia Basin region are a partnership between Wildsight and Youth Climate Corps BC.

• Local food recovery and sustainability initiatives that will deepen your understanding of local food systems, food waste and burgeoning solutions
• A wildfire fuel mitigation and monitoring project developed to spread awareness and increase local wildfire resilience.
• Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring
  • Provide capacity to two other nonprofits in the Columbia Basin by collecting water data at 4 sites, contributing to a more than 10 years long dataset.
• With the bulk of this project now complete, we will transition into a maintenance phase for this project. Assessing survivorship of planted stock, managing access, and controlling invasive species remain a priority for long term project success
• There will also be several other small projects, including Whitebark Pine recovery, native wildflower seed collection, pollinator meadow restoration, wildfire fuel data collection, invasive species management, grassland restoration, and potentially more.

Your role:

We are seeking a crew of passionate, motivated and empathetic individuals, driven to take meaningful climate action in the local community. Engaging with local professionals, Wildsight staff and deeply involved community members, you will gain the knowledge, skills and training necessary to advance climate resilient communities.

With support and direction from Wildsight's Youth Climate Corps Program Manager, crew will:

• Participate enthusiastically and professionally in introductory and ongoing training and learning activities (both general and project specific)
• Work collaboratively with fellow team members and external partners to complete YCC projects at a high standard of safety and quality. Project activities may include:
  • Use of chainsaws and other hand tools to implement wildfire risk reduction prescriptions
  • Receiving, sorting and distribution of recovered food items
  • Sourcing and collecting native wildflower seeds
  • Planting of native plants and removal of invasive plants
  • Creation and maintenance of community garden areas
  • Water quality monitoring
  • Use of GPS and other applications to collect and record data
  • Communicating with the general public
• Serve as an ambassador between YCC projects and community members
• Support the YCC team in producing and sharing communications content to tell the story of our work through multiple channels

Requirements:

• Motivation to be part of solutions to climate change
• Passion for community building
• Willingness to engage others in climate action
• Adaptable and adventurous attitude
• Ability to respond to scheduling changes on short notice
• Experience working independently
• Capable of working remotely (with the possibility of camping on or near the location)
• Love for the outdoors, with the ability to work in inclement and mountainous weather conditions and terrain
• Previous familiarity or experience with climate action or in climate related fields is an asset but not a requirement

Applicant Eligibility:

• Be between 17-30 years of age at the start of the contract
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada

How to Apply:

Wildsight is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our hiring processes and work environment and actively recruits for diversity within our crews. We encourage women, people of colour, people of Indigenous ancestry and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to apply for this position. Wildsight recognizes climate justice as essential for climate action and we actively recruit for diversity.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled; Don't wait to apply!