Fish and Wildlife Technician (Optional Co-op)

Fish and wildlife management is an important aspect of modern society as it helps to conserve and maintain healthy populations of fish and wildlife, their habitats, and biodiversity. Effective management practices ensure the long-term sustainability of these resources and help mitigate the impacts of human activities such as overfishing and habitat destruction. By understanding the interrelationships between species, habitats, and human activities, wildlife managers can make informed decisions about how to conserve and manage these resources. This is especially important as the world's growing human population continues to put increasing pressure on wildlife and their habitats. Through fish and wildlife management, we can protect important ecosystem services, conserve biodiversity, and ensure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from these resources. 

• NEW! This program is accredited by The North American Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA), which ensures students gain the job-ready skills employers seek. NAWTA supports curriculum relevance, professional development, and networking across North America. Furthermore NAWTA offers pathways for students to continue their post-secondary education. 
• The theory and skills required by fish and wildlife professionals are taught through applied learning activities with a significant amount of time doing hands-on work in the lab and field.
• Third-semester students spend five weeks in field school, focusing on the topics of fisheries, wildlife, terrestrial habitats, wetlands, and freshwater ecology. These field schools introduce new skills such as: boat handling, GPS navigation, fish netting, sampling and tagging, electrofishing, habitat assessment, wetland classification, bird banding, and use of wildlife monitoring technologies. Through these activities, students will work together to collect, analyze, and present the data over the remainder of the technician-level education and training.
• During field excursions, you will learn about the logistics involved in the design and implementation of field projects.
• You will also spend considerable time in the outdoors learning mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish and plant identification skills, tracking animals, and conducting wildlife surveys.

Students entering the program in September may apply to participate in an optional paid co-op. The deadline to apply is at the end of November, where students must submit an Application Form (including a resume) to the Co-op Office. Students must achieve a 70% (2.5 GPA) average, and pass all courses in Semester 1 in order to be enrolled in the Co-op Option. Students who are accepted will participate in a Career Preparation course, and will do their co-op between semesters 2 and 3. The Co-op Option provides the opportunity to:

• Integrate classroom learning with work-based learning
• Explore the variety of careers available in the field
• Network for future job opportunities

The Co-op Option is not available for students who begin the program in January, as they attend classes over the summer.

I have heard employers from as far away as Alberta and California praise the Fleming Fish and Wildlife program and the quality technicians it produces. The program's reputation works in favour of Fleming graduates in the employment selection process.

Chris Nadeau, Program Graduate

• Fleming College Fish and Wildlife Technician graduates have been the number one choice for employers in our industry for many years.
• Program graduates are eligible for advanced standing entry into many universities and can often complete a degree with two years of study.
• Fleming is one of only two colleges in the province offering a Fish and Wildlife program, and the only one accredited with the North American Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA).
• The comprehensive, challenging training you'll receive in this program, facilitated by faculty with experience in the field, ensures that you will obtain the well-rounded, relevant skills employers are seeking.

Many of our programs offer the opportunity to earn a second certificate or diploma with just one or two more semesters of study. Add another specialization to your skill set and increase your career prospects with this unique opportunity.

Learn more here or contact your program coordinator for more information.

Certain diploma programs within the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences (SENRS) share some first-semester courses providing students a flexible and interdisciplinary academic start. This allows students to:

• Explore various fields of study within environmental and natural resource sciences
• Discover careers that align with their strengths and interests
• Transfer credits between programs, reducing duplication and saving time

By earning credits that apply across multiple diplomas, students will have the chance to work toward more than one credential without starting from scratch. This also opens doors to a multidisciplinary education, in which students gain a strong foundation in key concepts and practical skills that can be applied across industries.

You love working outdoors and commit to the conservation of fish and wildlife. Experience working or volunteering in an environmental or natural resource-related organization or project is an asset. You should also possess:

• Analytical skills
• A good background in high school sciences and maths
• Willingness to move for work
• Willingness to work in challenging outdoor situations and weather conditions

Graduates of this program have been the number one choice for employers in our industry for many years.

Recent graduates have found employment with agencies of the federal, provincial and municipal governments, the private sector, non-government organizations (NGO’s) and academia. Recent government employers include the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, and many Conservation Authorities. There are many private sector positions with organizations such as Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Birds Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited. There are also opportunities to work with private environmental consultants who provide assessments inventories and surveys of wildlife and habitat for industry and the government.

Plan to spend about $1,050 in the first year and $900 in the second year for books, supplies, equipment, and field camps.

Fish and Wildlife students are required to participate in field activities that include walking kilometres over rough terrain, carrying heavy gear, and operating small watercraft in all weather conditions, including: rain, deep snow, and extreme temperatures.

• Demonstrate knowledge of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and ecological principles, and the relationship of these to the protection, management and effective utilization of fish and wildlife resources.
• Identify and classify a wide range of biota and understand their influence on the management of fish and wildlife populations and ecosystems.
• Understand fisheries and wildlife science to effectively develop techniques and protocols that support sustainable management of fish and wildlife resources.
• Identify current and emerging regulations, standards and policies that support and guide fish and wildlife planning and management practices.
• Employ state-of the-art protocols and tools used to monitor and manage fish and wildlife populations and related habitat.
• Prepare reports and field records, documenting information accurately and in a timely manner, in compliance with industry regulations and established policies and procedures.
• Work effectively with computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation software and a range of other technologies.
• Safely operate, maintain and troubleshoot a range of equipment and machinery.
• Collect, organize, manage, interpret and apply data, in accordance with accepted procedures and standards.
• Demonstrate introductory use of geospatial analysis tools and technologies for organizing and presenting information.
• Handle all tools, materials and equipment appropriately, in compliance with industry/ministry safety and operating standards, ensuring optimum health and safety of self, team members and the environment.
• Effectively communicate and convey ideas and information to inform/guide planning and decision making.
• Act in accordance with norms and professional codes of ethical practice.
• Research and assess fish and wildlife practices, technologies, issues and trends from a range of sources.
• Contribute to community-based research and development projects with industry partners (e.g. Near-Shore Community Index Netting - NSCIN Sturgeon Lake and others).
• Work effectively as a team member in a variety of challenging work environments, demonstrating effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Prepare a portfolio that reflects personal growth, job readiness and resources for ongoing professional development and learning.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of business infrastructure, practices and procedures in the field of fish and wildlife resource management.
• Develop life-long learning habits through the pursuit of inter-disciplinary areas of study related to social and cultural understanding, civic life, personal understanding, science and technology and arts in society.
• Demonstrate the achievement of skills, knowledge and attributes to the level required by industry-recognized accrediting bodies (e.g. North American Wildlife and Technical Association NAWTA).

Students applying to Fish and Wildlife Technician (Optional Co-op) must meet the following requirements:

• OSSD including Gr 12 C English and Gr 12 C Math

Recommended (but not required for admission)

• Gr 11 or 12 Chemistry is strongly recommended

PC / Windows

• Operating System:
  Windows 10
• Processor:
  2.2+ GHz processor hyperthreaded*, multicore
• Memory:
  8+GB minimum
• Hard Disk:
  32GB free space
• Software:
  1024x768 or higher, 24-bit color depth and with 4+GB graphics memory

Internet Connection: 10 Mbps Download and 1.0 Mbps Upload (recommended)