Aquatic Ecologist
GHD
- Waterloo, ON
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Champion relationships with both internal (GHD) clients and GHD's external clients in Ontario and across North America
- Provide technical guidance on natural environment components of Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Studies, Cumulative Effects Assessments
- Lead the development of proposals, fieldwork plans, and reporting as well as permit, authorization, and offsetting approvals (DFO, MECP, Conservation Authorities, SARA, etc.)
- Work with peers in all aspects of project work, fostering an energetic and collaborative environment
- Supervise and mentor staff to execute positive business outcomes and foster career development for team
- Coordinate technical resources and personnel to achieve timely delivery of multiple projects
- Successful candidate will be energized by a dynamic work environment with opportunities for team leadership and career growth
- Occasional travel to sites, primarily in Ontario
- Lead field investigations
- Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science including Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology, Biology, Natural Resource Management or related field
- Post-graduate degree and/or PMP designations are assets
- Minimum 5 years consulting experience leading natural science/ecology projects in Ontario throughout multiple industries within a consulting firm or a minimum 3 years in a senior environmental leadership role in public or private industry
- Ideal candidate will have experience in the application of natural environment consulting for provincial or federal Environmental Assessments and impact assessments and in at least one of transportation, linear infrastructure, natural asset valuation, sediment and/or land development sectors
- Proven project and client management skills; strong sense of business acumen
- Proven leadership skills, communication, technical writing and organization skills
- Experience managing multiple tasks while maintaining a high degree of attention to detail in a demanding consulting environment
- Knowledge of current provincial and federal government regulatory requirements as they apply to fish and fish habitat, including aquatic species at risk
- Willingness to travel to undertake field work as required (field demands can include working long hours, working in inclement weather conditions, and lifting up to 50 lbs)
- Excellent technical skills in fisheries, aquatic habitats, benthic invertebrates and/or aquatic fauna in Southern Ontario
- Class I Electrofishing or Class II Backpack Electrofishing Certification
- Experienced with developing aquatic field programs and methods to meet specific objectives
- Experience in leading field crews in the execution of fish and fish habitat field programs, including fish sampling and identification.
- Strong working knowledge of collecting, assembling and analyzing ecological data
- Must be flexible with project types and responsibilities
- Must be proficient with Microsoft Office, excellent English writing and verbal communication is required to effectively express technical information to multiple audiences including clients, agencies, subcontractors, field staff, clients, colleagues, etc.
- Excellent report and proposal writing skills
- Valid driver's license (an MVR check will be performed prior to hire)
- Positive attitude, extraordinary communication and interpersonal skills
- Registered in MTO RAQS for Fisheries Assessment an asset
- Registered in MTO RAQS for Fisheries Contracts an asset
- Interim MTO/DFO/MNRF Fisheries Protocol Training (2020)
- Application of the Interim MTO/DFO/MNRF Fisheries Protocol for Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat on Provincial Undertakings
- Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control (CISEC)
- Experience in implementing the Evaluation, Classification and Management of Headwater Drainage Features Guidelines
- Familiar with the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP)
- Experience working with Indigenous communities an asset
- Experience with delivery of aquatic ecology services in other regions of North America
- Use of digital data collection tools
- First Aid certification (training will be provided if needed)