Description

Take the next step in your career by joining the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo as a Wilder Canada Action Plan (WCAP) Intern and grow your experience in conservation at a nationally and globally recognized conservation organization!

The Wilder Institute is responding to Canada’s call to action with a visionary 10-year biodiversity action plan to initiate targeted conservation translocations for imperiled animals and plants. The Wilder Canada Action Plan (WCAP) will deliver species-specific solutions guided by the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Global Species Action Plan to achieve measurable species recovery and help us lead the world in meeting biodiversity recovery targets. 
 
Reporting to the Senior Manager, WCAP the WCAP Intern will support the assessment of potential new WCAP programs by compiling and summarizing information from various sources, data entry, assisting with internal/external consultations, and contributing to proposal development and communications. The position will also support associated administrative work, including scheduling, notetaking, creating presentations, and record-keeping activities. Some on-the-ground communication with local communities, Indigenous Nations and/or other potential collaborators may occur. 

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

Location: Calgary Alberta or Greater Toronto Hamilton Area/ Peel Region in Ontario

Contract:

• Start Date: January 2026
• End Date: December 2027

What you will do:  

• Compile information through various methods including recovery document review, mapping tools, and online environmental scans, and synthesize results 
• Assist with internal and external knowledge gathering; may involve in-person meetings 
• Data entry and database maintenance in Microsoft Excel 
• Create surveys and summarize results 
• Help coordinate and schedule meetings; may be responsible for writing meeting minutes 
• Assist the Senior Manager, WCAP with internal and/or external communication needs by contributing to the development of project proposals, program plans, and/or reports, PPT presentations, graphs and figures 
• Other tasks supporting operations of the Conservation & Science department as requested 

What you will bring:  

• Possess or working towards a degree or diploma in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Conservation, or other related program. Equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Familiarity/knowledge of species at-risk (SAR), and general awareness of SAR legislation and initiatives in Canada 
• Experience gathering and summarizing information from a variety of different sources 
• Experience using Microsoft Excel at a basic level 
• Familiarity with GIS (ArcGIS) an asset 
• Experience in scheduling meetings and taking meeting notes an asset 
• Experience communicating with local and Indigenous communities an asset 
• Ability to take direction, and complete work and problem-solve independently or in small groups 
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills 
• Able to be flexible/adaptable to potentially changing deadlines, pace of work and time pressures 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• The ability to provide and receive constructive feedback 
• A passion for wildlife conservation 
• A commitment to adhere to safety protocols and contribute to safe operating practices 

Working Conditions:

• Long periods of computer-based office work
• Occasional travel to local in-person meetings
• Remote work available with occasional on-site work needed 

What We Offer:  

• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit Program   
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise 
• A fun, rewarding work environment that supports the conservation of Canadian species and wild places

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience, and personal attributes, we want to talk to you!  

Apply by doing the following:    

1. Review our website to learn more about the conservation work being done at Wilder Institute.
2. Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
3. Fill in the application questions:
   • If hired, when would you be available to start?
   • Do you have any extended time off requirements for the duration of the contract that we should be aware of?
   • Please describe your familiarity with species-at-risk and related legislation and initiatives.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by December 29, 2025 at 4pm MST.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the Zoo’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.  

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.