Senior Fisheries Biologist
WSP View all jobs
- Calgary, AB
- $132,700-175,800 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers.
With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions.
We are pathfinders and impact makers.
We are Visioneers.We are WSP.The OpportunityYour Impact Starts Here.
Step into a role where your work actively helps protect the planet - not in theory, but in the very real, on-the-ground way that shapes ecosystems, restores watersheds, and safeguards Canada's most vital aquatic environments. As a Senior Fisheries Biologist, you'll apply your expertise to projects that directly support climate resilience, responsible development, and long-term ecological health.At WSP, you'll contribute to a diverse portfolio of meaningful work, from habitat restoration and fish passage improvements, to major national infrastructure programs, to mining and remediation projects that prioritize environmental responsibility. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams who care deeply about doing what's right for the environment, and you'll influence decisions that preserve freshwater and marine systems for generations to come.This is more than a senior technical role - it's an opportunity to build a career around purposeful impact, shaping solutions that balance community needs with ecological protection. Whether you're designing offsetting strategies, leading field programs, guiding regulatory pathways, or advising clients on sustainable approaches, your work will matter in visible, measurable ways.This position can be based in Edmonton, Saskatoon, or Calgary, with opportunities to support projects across Canada and around the world.Your Impact
- Lead technical direction for fisheries and aquatics programs, including designing studies, applying advanced field techniques, developing analyses, and guiding high-quality reporting.
- Oversee and review fisheries assessments for multidisciplinary projects in infrastructure, oil & gas, mining, remediation, power, and land development.
- Evaluate projects for federal and provincial permitting requirements and develop regulatory submissions such as Fisheries Act Authorizations, Requests for Review, amendments, and offsetting plans.
- Manage and deliver aquatic resource baseline studies, impact assessments, and regulatory documentation for environmental assessments.
- Lead scopes of work, oversee budgets and timelines, and ensure deliverables exceed technical and client expectations.
- Engage directly with clients and regulators, providing trusted guidance and technical clarity.
- Support business development through client relationship building, proposal preparation, and scope development.
- Collaborate with WSP's national and global technical community on interdisciplinary projects.
- Mentor and coach junior scientists, fostering growth and technical excellence within the team.
- A university degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field, supported by approximately 15 years of relevant experience.
- Registration (or eligibility) as P.Biol or R.P.Bio.
- Experience working within Canadian regulatory frameworks, including federal and provincial approvals.
- Proven project management capability across multidisciplinary environmental projects.
- Hands-on expertise conducting aquatic studies, including fish habitat assessments, fish community sampling, fish passage evaluations, and flow needs assessments.
- Experience developing and monitoring fish habitat offsetting plans.
- Strong field leadership skills, including the design and operation of fisheries programs, team supervision, logistics, and safety planning.
- Proficiency with standard fisheries field equipment and techniques, including backpack and boat electrofishing, river and lake sampling, and vessel operation.
- A valid driver's licence and willingness to travel or work extended hours when required.
- Ability to meet client-driven requirements such as random drug and alcohol testing.
- Proudly Canadian - we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
- A global community of brilliant minds - your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
- Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it's across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition - because your growth drives ours.
- Flexible work, real balance - we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.
MB & ON: $121,100 - $166,700
NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $119,900 - $159,200Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.Ready to Shape the Future?
Bring your expertise to projects that matter. Apply today and help us create lasting impact across Canada.About Us:WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms. Our purpose is to future proof our cities and environments.We have over 65,000 team members across the globe. In Canada, our 12,000+ people are involved in everything from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transportation networks, from finding new ways to extract essential resources to developing renewable power sources for the future.At WSP:
- We value our people and our reputation
- We are locally dedicated with international scale
- We are future focused and challenge the status quo
- We foster collaboration in everything we do
- We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable