Ecological Services Technician

About Red Deer: 

Red Deer sits at the heart of Central Alberta along the QEII corridor, perfectly positioned between Calgary and Edmonton. With more than 100,000 residents and a regional reach of over 300,000, it’s a growing hub for business, services, and opportunity.

Here, big-city amenities meet small-city ease. Enjoy abundant parks and trails, vibrant arts and culture, excellent recreation and education, and a strong sense of community.

With easy access to lakes, outdoor adventures, and the mountains, plus a thriving economy and high quality of life, Red Deer is an inviting place to live, work, and grow.

About The City of Red Deer Municipal Government

The City of Red Deer is a dynamic municipal organization with a $480M operating budget, a $60M capital program, and a workforce of nearly 1,700 employees. It is focused on growing with purpose by attracting talented, community-minded people who want to make a difference.

Guided by the vision “Our City, One Voice,” Red Deer is building a thriving, inclusive, and connected community, with priorities centered on a vibrant economy, community wellbeing, and strong engagement.

At its core, the City values its people, embracing diverse perspectives and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared success

The Opportunity

The City of Red Deer is currently recruiting an Ecological Services Technician to fill a seasonal full-time position. You will be responsible for scheduling and monitoring day-to-day field and laboratory technical work, resources, and labour for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, and directly perform duties related to the IPM program where applicable. They maintain, participate, assist in, and perform other related technical duties to support the Ecological Services work of the department.

Specific portfolio duties include:

Weed Inspector

Enforce the Weed Control Act by conducting field inspections and serving the appropriate notices for noxious and prohibited noxious weeds, investigating and incoming weed complaints, and invoking justified action.

Pest Control Inspector

Perform and monitor field and laboratory technical work and larval control activities for the IPM and mosquito control program. Enforce the Provincial Government Agricultural Pest Act as it relates to rat infestations within the City.

Top Key Responsibilities

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) & Technical Field Work (Core)
  • Plan, schedule, and execute field and lab work for IPM programs.
  • Monitor pests and environmental conditions (insects, weeds, pathogens, invasive species, mosquitoes).
  • Use technical tools and systems (GIS, geospatial software, mobile data collection).
  • Collect, analyze, and document data (samples, weather, observations, non-target species).
  • Support broader environmental initiatives (biodiversity, habitat restoration, ecological inventories).
• Inspection & Control Programs (Portfolio Duties)
  • Weed Inspector:
  • Identify weeds at all stages and track infestations.
  • Conduct weed inventory and data collection.
  • Perform weed control (manual, mechanical, chemical).
  • Enforce bylaws on private property compliance.
  • Pest Control Inspector:
  • Monitor and control mosquitoes, tree pests, invasive species, and rodents.
  • Conduct sampling, specimen identification, and lab work.
  • Map breeding sites and track vector populations.
  • Coordinate with forestry and environmental teams on control strategies.
• Data Management & Reporting (Administration)
  • Maintain accurate records and databases.
  • Prepare reports, summaries, and documentation.
  • Ensure documentation supports legal and regulatory compliance.
  • Manage equipment and supply logistics.
• Compliance, Safety & Risk Management
  • Follow IPM protocols and pesticide regulations.
  • Apply legislation (e.g., Weed Control Act, Agricultural Pest Act).
  • Maintain safe field and lab practices.
  • Participate in health & safety programs and training.
• Coordination & Leadership
  • Provide direction to seasonal staff.
  • Assist with scheduling field operations and treatment timing.
  • Support enforcement of regulatory requirements.
• Communication & Collaboration
  • Collaborate with internal teams (Urban Forestry, Parks).
  • Share monitoring data and support decision-making.
  • Participate in meetings and provide program updates.
  • Conduct public and site inspections and support education efforts.
• Field Operations (Driving & Miscellaneous)
  • Operate city vehicles safely across sites.
  • Perform on-site inspections and operational duties.
  • Complete other related environmental or operational tasks as needed.

As our preferred candidate, you will have

• 2-year Diploma in biological or horticultural sciences.

• 2 years of experience in IPM programs and related technical services depending on assigned portfolio:

  • Weed Inspector: experience in weed inspection.

  • Pest Control Inspector: experience in activities related to mosquito control.

• First Aid Certification

• Alberta Driver’s License

• Possession of a valid Provincial Pesticide Applicator Certificate of Qualification or ability to obtain within a specified period of time.

• Knowledge of the City and Parks policies, procedures, and bylaws is an asset.

• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and computer skills.

• Knowledge of geographic informational software (GIS).
   

Affiliation:   Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 417 

Status:   Seasonal Full-time

Remuneration:   $33.27 to $35.23 per hour 

Hours of Work:   80 hours biweekly; Monday to Friday, some evening and weekend work may be required when needed.

Additional Info:  This is a seasonal position with an anticipated term of approximately 11 months.

The City of Red Deer does not permit the use of unauthorized internet resources or Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (for example, Copilot, ChatGPT or any other form of AI) during interviews or any supervised or timed assessments.  Any violation may be investigated and result in serious consequences, including the rejection of your application.

We thank you for your application. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.