Consultant, Aquatic Biologist

Environmental Resources Management (ERM); Yellowknife; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Parental leave

RRSP/DPSP retirement plan

Job summary

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) seeks an Aquatic Biologist to lead freshwater and marine field programs across Western and Northern Canada. You will contribute to baseline studies, monitoring, and impact assessments while coordinating with a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes independent fieldwork, rigorous data handling, and strong technical writing, with opportunities for growth within a global sustainability consultancy.

Qualifications

• BSc in Aquatic Biology or related discipline is required.
• MSc preferred; professional registrations are valued.
• Familiarity with QA/QC and data management processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate freshwater and/or marine aquatic field programs, including remote deployments.
• Compile, manage, and analyze water quality, sediment quality, and biological community data (benthic macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplankton, periphyton).
• Prepare technical reports or report sections for baseline studies, environmental monitoring programs, permitting submissions, and impact assessments.
• Contribute to efficient, accurate data management and field documentation.

Skills

Data management

Statistical analysis (R)

QA/QC processes

Technical writing

Field program coordination

Education

BSc in Aquatic Biology

MSc in Aquatic Biology

Professional registration (R.P.Bio)

CABIN certified

Swiftwater certified

Tools

R

Job description

If you’re looking for a role where meaningful fieldwork, scientific rigor, and multidisciplinary collaboration intersect, ERM invites you to bring your skills to a global team driving real-world environmental impact.

Why This Role Matters

As an Aquatic Biologist at ERM, you’ll contribute to high-visibility environmental projects across Western and Northern Canada—projects that shape regulatory decisions, support sustainable development, and protect critical freshwater and marine ecosystems. Your expertise will directly inform aquatic baseline programs, monitoring studies, and impact assessments for clients seeking responsible environmental stewardship. You will be part of our Integrated Water Services team, collaborating closely with toxicologists, hydrologists, hydrogeologists, geochemists, fisheries biologists, and specialists across ERM’s global network. This is a full-time opportunity designed for someone who enjoys fieldwork, thrives in independent environments, and is motivated to grow their technical and consulting career.

What Your Impact Is

• Advance high-quality aquatic science through rigorous field programs, data analysis, and technical reporting.
• Provide critical insights into water quality, sediment quality, and aquatic community composition.
• Support environmental permitting, baseline assessments, impact evaluations, and long-term monitoring programs.
• Strengthen data integrity and scientific defensibility through diligent QA/QC and methodological consistency.

What You'll Bring

• Required: BSc in Aquatic Biology or a related discipline.
• 2+ years of experience planning, managing, and executing aquatic field programs (freshwater and/or marine), including work in remote settings.
• Strong data management and statistical analysis skills using R or similar software.
• Experience with field and data QA/QC processes.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of Federal, Provincial, and Territorial environmental regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced consulting environment and meet critical deadlines.
• Strong commitment to Health & Safety protocols.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel and work in remote locations and varying weather conditions.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.
• Preferred: MSc in Aquatic Biology or a related discipline.
• Professional registration (e.g., R.P.Bio) or eligibility.
• CABIN certified.
• Swiftwater certified.
• Prior experience in environmental consulting, government roles, or the mining sector.
• Marine experience (fieldwork or analytical) considered an asset.
• Boat operating experience.
• Field experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, or a related discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement freshwater and/or marine aquatic field programs, including remote deployments.
• Compile, manage, and analyze water quality, sediment quality, and biological community data (benthic macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplankton, periphyton).
• Prepare technical reports or report sections for baseline studies, environmental monitoring programs, permitting submissions, and impact assessments.
• Contribute to efficient, accurate data management and field documentation.

For the Consultant, Aquatic Biologist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $73,100–$94,300 (CAD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible). We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees. Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

Who We Are

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations. At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our "boots to boardroom" approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. ERM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, Indigenous identity, or status as a protected veteran or qualified individual with a disability. ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.