Summer Field Technician (Northern AB)

Summer Student Field Technician
🌎 Northern Alberta | Remote & Field-Based

Are you a student looking to turn what you have learned in school into practical environmental consulting experience?

At GCL Environmental Ltd., summer students contribute to active projects and real deliverables while building practical skills in field assessment, technology, reporting and project management. We help clients assess, reclaim and responsibly manage disturbed land across Western Canada.

If you enjoy fieldwork, rural Alberta, technology, problem-solving and learning how environmental projects come together from start to finish, you may fit right in.

Why Join GCL?

Real Responsibility
Contribute to active projects and real deliverables—not just job shadowing. You will have the opportunity to understand how fieldwork, data, reporting and project decisions fit together.

Broader Experience
Gain exposure to environmental consulting beyond an individual field task. Depending on your projects, you may participate in planning, field assessments, documentation, reporting and project coordination.

Mentorship
Work directly with experienced team members while developing your technical judgement, confidence and reporting skills.

Flexible + Remote-First
GCL was built as a connected, remote-first team. When you are not completing fieldwork or other project requirements, our focus is on communication, accountability and results.

Technology-Progressive
GCL is a digital, paperless company. You may work with tools such as Survey123, digital field applications, GPS, GIS mapping, real-time project data, dashboards, integrated field-to-report workflows, automation and emerging AI tools.

What You May Do

Depending on your projects, you could:

• Conduct Detailed Site Assessments and vegetation assessments.
• Identify native and invasive plants, soils and site conditions.
• Apply what you have learned in school to real reclamation projects.
• Collect environmental data using digital field technology.
• Travel throughout rural Alberta, including gravel roads and remote lease sites.
• Access some field locations by ATV/UTV.
• Participate in helicopter-access DSA projects in the Cold Lake region, depending on project needs.
• Collaborate with landowners, technical specialists and project leads.
• Turn field observations into technical reports.
• Learn how environmental assessments support regulatory decisions and reclamation closure.

Students interested in contamination and remediation may also have opportunities to gain exposure to Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, drilling programs, soil sampling and remediation work, depending on available projects.

Learn the Whole Process

You will gain exposure to how environmental work progresses through:

Planning → Preparation → Execution → Documentation → Reporting

This can include reviewing project and site information, planning field weeks and travel routes, coordinating access with stakeholders, preparing equipment and digital information, completing field assessments, reviewing documentation and supporting technical report preparation.

What You Bring

We are looking for students who bring:

• Post-secondary education in environmental science, biology, agriculture, ecology or a related field.
• Knowledge of plants, soils, reclamation and environmental assessment gained through school or previous experience.
• Rural experience, curiosity and a willingness to learn.
• Comfort working outdoors and travelling to rural and remote locations.
• Strong communication, organization and attention to detail.
• A willingness to take responsibility for your work and ask questions as you learn.

Relevant field, safety, GIS or digital data-collection experience is an asset.

Build Your Environmental Career

At GCL, the goal is to help you turn your education into practical experience, technical judgement, project ownership and a stronger foundation for your environmental career.

Bring your knowledge. Bring your curiosity. Be ready to learn by doing.