Research Outreach Assistant, Kluane Lake Research Station

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Position Overview

The Kluane Lake Research Station in the Arctic Institute of North America is currently seeking a Full-time Temporary (Short Term) Research Outreach Assistant for approximately 5 months.

This position is based at the Arctic Institute of North America’s Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS) located at Kluane Lake, Yukon. KLRS has direct road access from the Alaska Highway. The position requires residency at KLRS. This position affords a unique opportunity to work with scientists and students from Yukon, across Canada, and from overseas in a successful team-oriented environment. This role works on a flexible work week schedule where additional weekend work is required throughout the operational season to meet the needs of courses, researchers, conferences, and special events being hosted at the field station.

The position works under the direction of the KLRS Scientific Director to achieve the following:

• Support the Field Station Scientific Director in the development and execution of the strategic science plan of the Station.
• Facilitate research at the Station.
• Organize and support University courses and related workshops, meetings, and conferences/events.
• Collaborate with the Field Station Scientific Director to implement initiatives and the strategic plans of KLRS and the University.

Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS) is located 220 km northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon, on the south shore of Kluane Lake, on the traditional lands of the Kluane, Champagne-Ashihik and White River First Nations. 

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Maintain and establish initiatives to promote research, engage public, promote-sustainability, and encourage group diversity at KLRS
• Collect short bio and research synoptic information on each researcher/research group that stays at KLRS, including headshots, for use on the KLRS website, social media, and end-of-season reports.  
• Create short written updates, including news pieces where possible, to update local communities and First Nation governments.
• Where available, you will create written pieces for news articles, magazines and any avenues that communicates science, research and KLRS to the outside/public world.
• Install posters and other communicative materials around KLRS to support tours and field schools moving around KLRS.
• When necessary, conduct tours of KLRS for the public.
• Lead the coordination of outreach public events such as the Open house.
• Act as ‘point person’ for all field schools, research groups, media groups and general guest visiting KLRS. 
• Engage with guests to ensure the field stations are meeting their needs to the best of our abilities.
• Communicate with guests prior to arrival, support them to create a reservation, and provide advice and support to develop field programs or field work methodologies when requested.
• Ensure that the contents and practicalities of each guest or groups stay at KLRS is communicated in a timely manner to all other KLRS staff.
• In concert with Operations Manager, communicate with guests after leaving KLRS to review their stay and ensure billing information is provided.
• Act as the main liaison with researchers, instructors, and academic units, ensuring they have the required equipment and information to safely work at the field stations.
• Maintain and schedule the access and use of meeting spaces, labs, computer rooms, library,as well as the use of lab and field equipment owned by KLRS.
• When necessary, drive field schools and researchers using KLRS vehicles. Vehicle operation may also be required to support the day-to-day operation of KLRS.
• Manage all aspects of the Artist In Residence and partnership with Parks Canada and Yukon Arts Council, including supporting artists during their time at KLRS.
• Manage all aspects of the Oceanwise partnership including full responsibility for mentorship of interns at KLRS.
• Be available to take on responsibility for other programs that are established or continued throughout the research station summer season.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Master’s Degree preferred but will accept minimum of Bachelor of Sciences Degree or a combination of the above with previous experience.
• Demonstrated experience in management and organisation of cross-cutting responsibilities, event organisation, administrative tasks, and public science coordination.
• Demonstrated project planning skills and problem-solving skills required to deal effectively with complex tasks and multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills; Demonstrated experience in developing collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Experience with cross-faculty initiatives, and/or partnerships in an academic environment is an advantage.
• Knowledge and understanding of university plans and policies, as well as structure, governance, and decision-making processes is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive and supportive working relationships.
• Capacity to adjust work schedule to meet multiple demands and pressures and a demonstrated ability to provide a consistently high level of service.
• Valid Alberta driver’s license of a minimum class 5 (standard driver’s license).
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office are required.

Application Deadline:  March 30, 2023

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Research Career Band, Level 1 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Positions are currently under review as part of the Alberta Labour Relations Board exclusion review process. Visit the HR website for more information.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website .

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca .

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High , committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected] ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected] ).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.