Operations Assistant

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), near Kenora, Ontario

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water. The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory—the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation.

IISD-ELA acknowledges that the research facility is located on Treaty 3 lands, and the care of these lands during experimentation and restoration to their original state is implicit in its mission. Many regional schools come to the facility to learn more about the science of aquatic ecosystems and how humans serve a role in sharing and working with one another to protect these resources. We encourage candidates to visit our website (https://www.iisd.org/ela/) to find out more about our organization.

Full room and board will be provided at the IISD-ELA facility. The Operations Assistant works under the direction of the Facilities Manager on the maintenance of facility infrastructure, landscape and trail network.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with preventative maintenance and repair of the infrastructure and mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and security systems and equipment of the ELA facility.
• Perform regular maintenance and monitoring of fuel and propane storage facility, as well as recording and reporting on fuel usage.
• Assist in trash removal, recycling, grounds maintenance and cleaning of workshop (woodshop, machine shop, administrative office and bathroom).
• Assist with general field operations including maintenance of outboard motors, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles and off-site facilities (trails, boat landings and docks).
• Assist with maintenance of the access roads, including washout repair, brushing, culvert replacement.
• Perform general landscaping work, such as weed whacking around buildings, brushing the firebreak and grass cutting as required.
• Perform janitorial duties including sweeping, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, and laundry services
• Assist with record keeping for reporting and compliance purposes, including maintenance of UV lamps for water treatment, volume of water pumped to facility, hours of operation of sewage lift station pumps, HWIN manifests, aggregate pit usage and other reporting streams as required.
• Assist with the collection of data from the ELA Meteorological Facility and other research projects as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Applicants must possess a valid driver’s licence, Pleasure Craft Operator Card, and valid First Aid and CPR certificates. Applicants should also highlight any other training certificates relevant to Occupational Health and Safety, such as chainsaw certification, WHMIS, TDG, etc.
• General maintenance skills are necessary for this position. Any of the following skills would be considered an asset and should be highlighted in the application:
• Experience driving a manual transmission
• Carpentry
• Electrical maintenance
• Plumbing and pipefitting
• Small engine repair
• Welding
• Heavy equipment operator
• Landscaping and groundskeeping
• Additional interest in the overall research plan of IISD-ELA is an asset. Experience working and living in a remote facility is also beneficial to this position.
• IISD-ELA will require the completion of a criminal record and child abuse registry check.
• Ability to speak French and/or Ojibwa is considered an asset.

The contract is for a full-time term position starting immediately through October 27, 2023, with the possibility for an extension. Work schedule is a 10-on 4-off rotation.

The successful applicant will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (2 doses plus booster dose). This is a condition of employment due to congregated living aspect of the facility and no teleworking being possible.

Rate of Pay:  $800 – $1000/week CAD, based on experience

Application deadline: applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is hired

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

Please include the following:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires employees who are required or choose to be at an office or participate in in-person team events or in-person meetings/events to be fully vaccinated. Anyone unable to be fully vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from being fully vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.