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Expressions of interest are invited for individuals wishing to serve as one of two Early Career Members of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Early career positions are typically reserved for individuals who have completed their formative education within the past 10 years and who have a minimum of 3 years of work experience and a maximum of 10 years of experience in the fields described below. Work experience can include up to one year of post-graduate studies. The term of the position is 4 years.
In this search, we are seeking an early career person with first-hand expertise in the flora and fauna of Canada and demonstrated knowledge of conservation biology of species at risk. We encourage individuals with expertise in areas such as ecology, Indigenous Knowledge and Science, population biology, genetics, biogeography, natural resource management, the effects of various threats on wildlife populations, or conservation planning to submit an application. A demonstrated ability to engage in consensus-based decision-making is essential, as is experience writing/reviewing reports such as status reports. An understanding of status assessment criteria and processes is important.
Diversity matters: COSEWIC is committed to having a skilled and diversified membership representative of Canadians, and recognizes many benefits of a safe, inclusive environment where people with diverse perspectives can collaborate in support of wildlife species assessment. All qualified people are invited to apply. In recruiting members, preference may be given to qualified applicants self-identifying as women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, persons of diverse sexual orientations and genders, persons in other under-represented groups, early career individuals, and all qualified individuals with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. The application template (the self-identification section under item number 6) provides an opportunity to clearly state if you identify as a member of any of these groups. Please feel welcome!
Expressions of interest may be submitted between 29 January and 5 March 2025.
Deadline: 5 March 2025 at 3:00 pm Eastern time. Late expressions of interest will not be accepted.
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About COSEWIC
The principal functions of COSEWIC are:
- to assess the status of wildlife species considered potentially at risk in Canada, identifying existing and potential threats to the wildlife species; and
- to report the results of its assessments and the reasons for the designations to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council, and the Canadian public.
COSEWIC carries out its functions on the basis of the best available information, including scientific knowledge, community knowledge, and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge. The assessment process is independent, transparent, and based solely on evidence. COSEWIC status reports, while forming the basis for recommendations to the government under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), are also widely cited by scientific and environmental organizations, resource users, government agencies and media. COSEWIC reports provide information about the state of wildlife populations, which are of concern to all Canadians.
In addition to Early Career Members, COSEWIC is made up of:
- Members from jurisdictional (provincial, territorial and federal) agencies;
- Co-chairs of the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Subcommittee;
- Co-chairs from Specialist Subcommittees for each taxonomic group that is treated by COSEWIC; and
- Non-government Science members.
Duties of COSEWIC Members
COSEWIC members’ responsibilities include:
- Acquiring a thorough understanding of the criteria that COSEWIC uses to make species status recommendations;
- reviewing and providing feedback on draft species status reports for all taxa covered by the COSEWIC process, and on other COSEWIC documents (such as reports brought forward by working groups to improve processes;
- meeting in person for Species Assessment Meetings (normally one week twice annually), for in-depth discussions and voting on species status recommendations and COSEWIC operational decisions; and
- participating in working groups carrying out special projects or functions such as information gathering and synthesis, recruitment, communications, and the review, development, or formalization of operations and procedures.
COSEWIC Early Career Members are appointed for terms of not more than four years by the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, after consultation with the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council and with any experts and expert bodies, such as the Royal Society of Canada, that the Minister considers to have relevant expertise. Early Career Members do not become part of the public service of Canada as a result of this Ministerial appointment. Each member of COSEWIC shall exercise their discretion in an independent manner. Early Career Members may be remunerated for their services in amounts that the Minister may set and may be reimbursed for related expenses according to Treasury Board guidelines. The position entails twice annually (spring and fall) reviewing and providing feedback on 15-25 draft status reports, followed by in-person species assessment meetings over 4-6 days each (plus travel time) in April/May and in Nov/Dec, in addition to some committee work.
Meeting Travel
Travel expenses incurred by Early Career Members of COSEWIC within Canada are reimbursed by Environment and Climate Change Canada. For members whose travel originates or terminates outside Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada will support to an amount which is the equivalent of the average travel expenses incurred within Canada.
Application Process
Expression of Interest
If you are interested in the position, please provide BOTH of the following:
- a CV or resume;
- a cover letter that specifically addresses each of the elements of the Application Template, using the same headings and subheadings. Even if you feel your CV already addresses a question, please provide a brief summary for each element of the template.
Preference may be given to qualified applicants in groups that are under-represented on COSEWIC. If you wish, please include a self-identification in section 5 of your application if you identify as, for example, a woman, Indigenous person, person with a disability, racialized person, person of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender, or person in another under-represented group, providing further information as relevant. Those making the selection will take self-identifications of qualified applicants into account in their evaluation of the applications and may only give preference in ranking when a clear self-identification is present.
Email your expression of interest with a subject line header indicating "Expression of Interest in Early Career Member" to the COSEWIC Secretariat at
The Secretariat will endeavour to acknowledge each application via email within two business days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within this time, please contact the Secretariat by telephone at 819-938-4125.
Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee of COSEWIC members, which will present recommendations to COSEWIC, which will in turn forward nominations for appointment by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Successful individuals will generally be notified by late summer and will serve their terms of office from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2029.
If additional information is required, please contact the COSEWIC Secretariat at
Application Template
- Knowledge and Education Background
State your knowledge and education background related to ecology, Indigenous Knowledge and Science, population biology, genetics, biogeography, natural resource management, the effects of various threats on wildlife populations, or conservation planning and decision tools.
For example:
- I have studied wildlife ecology and conservation genetics as part of my university education.
- I have spent the past 5 years learning about Prairie plants from elders and knowledge-keepers in my community and sharing knowledge of plants among Indigenous communities across the province.
- I have a BSc in wildlife management, an MSc in salmon fisheries, and a PhD in systematics of North American salmon.
- I have an honours BSc in zoology, 2 years of experience in population biology and genetics of caribou and 3 years of experience in conservation biology of other ungulates.
- Expertise with Conservation Biology and Canadian Flora and Fauna
Summarize your experience or expertise in conservation biology, traditional ecological knowledge, species status assessment processes, and broad knowledge of Canadian flora and fauna.
For example:
- For the past 5 years I have been gathering data on population biology and genetics of salmonids. These data will be used for developing recovery and management programs for Aurora Trout.
- For the last 5 years I have been an active member of the Resource Conservation Committee of the Council of the Haida Nation and have assisted in drafting conservation plans for BC coastal plant species.
- I have devoted the past 5 summers to assisting in conservation research on forest species in Ontario and have contributed an average of 10 hours per month of volunteer work to the Wildlife Conservation Society.
- For the past 5 years I have been providing advice on the integration of local ecological knowledge about mammal populations into provincial wildlife management planning in the Maritimes.
Include a statement about your level of broad knowledge of Canadian flora and fauna and your primary area of taxonomic or other expertise.
For example:- I have excellent knowledge of the ecology and systematics of freshwater molluscs in all of North America, with particular expertise of the Sphaeriidae in Canada, especially Ontario.
- I am a keen birder with good familiarity with species in eastern Canada, and I have good plant identification skills.
- I have learned about nature, plants, and animals from elders in my community in northern BC over the past 5 years.
- Early Career Stage
Describe how you qualify as an Early Career applicant (that is, typically, one who has completed their formative education related to conservation biology, and Canadian flora and fauna, within the past 10 years and who have a minimum of 3 years of work experience in these fields). What does the COSEWIC mandate mean to you and how would an opportunity to work with COSEWIC align with your career goals. - Collaboration and Consensus Skills
Identify your experience in collaborative, consensus-based environments, and your approach to fostering success when working in a group toward a common goal. - Reviewing and Editorial Skills
Describe your experience in reviewing and critically interpreting technical writing (e.g., refereed papers, books, reports, websites, etc), and in providing constructive feedback on such materials written by other people. - Personal Statements
Please provide the following statements, each with its own subheading.
Personal interests and/or perspectives: Please describe your personal interest and/or perspectives that leads to your wish to participate in the COSEWIC species assessment process. Please consider sharing the perspective and knowledge systems you bring to the COSEWIC species assessment process, and/or how your background, life experience, and/or perspectives could contribute to better decision making and problem solving with respect to COSEWIC’s work.
Self-identification (optional; the information is collected for selection purposes only): As COSEWIC strives to increase diversity in its membership, preference may be given to qualified applicants in groups that are under-represented in COSEWIC. If you wish, using the subheading “Self-Identification”, please acknowledge the skills and knowledge you have to engage productively with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities, and/or self-identify as any of the following, providing further information as relevant.
- woman
- Indigenous person
- person with a disability
- racialized person
- person of diverse sexual orientation and/or gender
- person in other under-represented groups
- early career
Those making the selection will take self-identifications of qualified applicants into account in their evaluation of the applications and can only give preference in ranking when a clear self-identification is present.
Interruptions (optional; the information is collected for selection purposes only): Reviewers will consider legitimate career interruptions due to maternity, parental, medical or family leaves. The time devoted to these types of leaves will not be included in the assessment of productivity. Please feel welcome to identify any personal circumstances that may have impacted you.
- References
Please provide the names and contact information for three references. Include at least one person with whom you have worked on a committee or team described in your cover letter or CV. These references will be asked to provide examples and evaluations for the following criteria:
- Your ability to work constructively within a consensus-based decision-making process and foster consensus among peers within a committee.
- Your ability to take initiative.
- Your reliability in meeting timelines and delivering products.
- Your ability to demonstrate sound judgement.
- Your demonstrated interest in a conservation-oriented career.