Aerial photos of PEI taken every decade provide a decadal snap shot of coastline changes across the province. This activity would be interim measurements of coastal erosion on the ground year-to-year. These would assist in ground-truthing, planning, risk assessment and research.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Re-measuring provincial sites where historical measurements of coastal erosion were conducted;
• Liaise with Parks Canada about their coastal measurements (obtain their data of measurements along their cliffs);
• Liaise with PEI Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal that does some shoreline erosion monitoring with survey crews especially in West Prince (they have taken high precision measurements at Jacques Cartier Park, West Point Lighthouse and elsewhere);
• Work with watershed groups to help them establish some new shoreline erosion monitoring sites and to work with those, like the Souris Wildlife Federation, who have been doing some monitoring already;
• Set up a volunteer network to take measurements with a brief “How to Manual”, and supply of metal stakes, measuring tapes, etc. Make the system automated with on-line submissions and automated mapping and analysis;
• Use a high precision hand held GPS unit to record the exact location of the shoreline monitoring locations;
• Investigate the work of previous researchers (Don Forbes and Gavin Manson of NRCan) who had established some shoreline erosion monitoring points at a few locations such as Robinson’s Island in the PEI National Park, Souris Causeway area, Savage Harbour and probably other locations;
• Identify the pioneer cemeteries and archaeological sites that are at risk due to coastal erosion that did not show up in our initial analysis; and
• Load all data into the UPEI Climate Database, create automated ways of submitting coastal observations, and create automated on-line mapping and analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or related topic.
• Experience working with non-government organizations.
• Experience working in a research environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Diligent record keeping.
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• A Valid Driver’s License and access to a vehicle is required.
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Priority to University of Prince Edward Island students in accordance with Recruitment, Selection, Hiring and Employment Policies and Procedures manual.