Ecologist

Montrose Environmental Group; Guelph; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental solutions company is seeking an Ecologist to join their team in Guelph, Ontario. This role involves conducting fieldwork, developing natural heritage assessments, and collaborating with a team of professionals. Candidates should have a degree in biology or ecology and 3-5 years of relevant experience. Strong organizational skills and experience with ecological assessments are key. The position offers competitive pay, flexible hours, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation package

RRSP matching

Vacation and sick days

Flexible work hours

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in a consulting environment as an ecologist or environmental technician.
• Experience with the Ecological Land Classification of Ontario is an asset.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute natural heritage assessments and restoration plans.
• Conduct fieldwork, including Ecological Land Classification and wildlife surveys.
• Complete pre-field planning, safety planning, and mapping preparation.

Skills

Fieldwork experience

Ecological assessment

Analytical skills

Plant identification

Wildlife survey experience

Education

Technical Diploma or Bachelor of Science in biology or ecology

Job description

Ecologist

OUR PURPOSE

Be part of the Future of Environmental Solutions.

At Montrose Environmental we help protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that feeds us. Our teammates collaborate across services, disciplines, and geographies to solve environmental challenges together – motivated to do better for our clients, each other, and the communities where we live and work. We deliver responsive, locally connected, and scalable solutions to help our clients achieve their ambitious goals for a more sustainable and resilient future.

WHO WE ARE

Montrose is a leading environmental solutions company focused on supporting commercial and government organizations as they deal with the challenges of today and prepare for what’s coming tomorrow. In Canada, we are one of the leading providers of environmental consulting and engineering services and part of a global network of teammates across 100+ locations around the world.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Our team is made up of diverse people working collaboratively towards common goals. We value the contributions and perspectives of all employees and are committed to equity and diversity initiatives to create a feeling of belonging for all of our people. When we are inclusive and diverse in a way that reflects the broader world we serve, we are able to draw from a wider community of excellence within the regions we operate.

Are you looking to…

• Grow your technical experience in the field of ecology across a broad range of projects with mentorship and training from experienced aquatic, terrestrial, and planning ecologists
• Expand your experience in conducting field programs in a variety of environments in Ontario, and across Canada
• Have the opportunity to interact with clients and develop project management skills
• Contribute to watershed planning, climate change resiliency, restoration and community transportation projects

As an Ecologist, you will be based in our Guelph, London or Oakville, ON office as part of our Eastern Ecological Services Team. You will work in an integrated team of aquatic and terrestrial ecologists, fluvial geomorphologists, and field staff to deliver a variety of assessment, monitoring, restoration design, and construction projects in the ecology field.

The successful person will be open to contributing to a variety of ecology projects, both terrestrial and aquatic, and will gain experience to develop their career and skillset while being surrounded and mentored by other technical experts. Specific tasks for this role include:

• Collaborate with technical staff to develop and execute natural heritage assessments, inventories, restoration plans and impact assessments
• Conduct fieldwork and carry out standard field surveys including tree inventories, Ecological Land Classification (ELC), botanical inventories, wildlife surveys [birds, amphibians, bats, SAR], aquatic surveys, (water quality and benthic sampling, fish capture and relocations) in urban and remote environments across Ontario, with opportunities to support field programs in Western Canada
• Complete pre-field planning for projects (i.e., safety planning, mapping preparation, equipment calibration) following Montrose standards
• Conduct background data reviews using natural heritage databases including agency liaison to determine Species at Risk (SAR) and environmental constraints
• Coordinate, write, and/or provide technical natural environment input on Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Evaluations, and other natural environment-related reports.
• Support permits, authorizations, and approvals (MECP, DFO, Conservation Authorities, ESA, SARA, etc.)
• Provide advice to internal and external clients related to municipal, transportation, and industrial environmental assessments, including regulatory/offsetting strategies, best management and mitigation practices, and environmental monitoring programs
• Complete environmental monitoring and construction monitoring programs
• Be a safety leader while completing and leading fieldwork

What We Are Looking For

• Technical Diploma or Bachelor of Science degree(s) in biology, or ecology, or related discipline, with a focus in botany, zoology, ecology, arboriculture, restoration or related discipline
• 3-5 years of experience as an ecologist or environmental technician in a consulting environment
• Experience in the application of Ecological Land Classification of Ontario (training, preferably southern Ontario, is considered an asset) and Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES), certification is considered an asset ,
• Experience with plant identification, trees, shrubs and herbaceous species
• Wildlife survey experience in Ontario including breeding birds, nest sweeps, bat cavity tree surveys and acoustic data analysis, reptile surveys, and amphibian surveys
• Analytical skills applicable to data analysis, study design and statistical analysis of environmental data
• Interest in working on a variety of projects in various sectors (e.g., urban, conservation, infrastructure, energy, hydropower, spill response)
• Knowledge of relevant environmental legislation and policies such as the Endangered Species Act, Species at Risk Act, and Conservation Authorities Act
• Strong organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, plan, schedule, and coordinate various activities relating to projects and proposal submissions
• Self‑motivated and possess strong written and verbal communication to effectively express technical information to multiple audiences including clients, agencies, subcontractors, field staff, clients, colleagues, etc.
• Valid driver’s license is required
• Must have or be able to obtain first aid certification
• Arborist Certification is considered an asset
• Additional certifications relating to ecological protocols or environmental monitoring (i.e., OBBN, OSAP, CAN‑CISEC, CERP, etc.) is considered an asset

Why Choose Montrose?

At Montrose you will be part of an amazing community of collaborative people who live shared mission and principles and bring industry‑leading technical expertise to their work every day. We offer a comprehensive compensation package, which includes benefits, RRSP matching, vacation days and sick days. This is a permanent position with an hourly rate range of $30.00‑$40.00, starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location. We are also committed to flexible work hours and schedules, team‑based work, and cross‑training opportunities.

Click the Apply button.

Are you the one we’re looking for? Please apply to us directly. As a note, we are not accepting third‑party agency applicants at this time.

Montrose is committed to providing a safe and productive work environment and to promoting the health, safety and well‑being of our employees. In keeping with our Health & Safety Policy, individuals in safety‑sensitive positions are subject to pre‑employment, pre‑access (and in some client cases, random) alcohol & drug testing as well as driver abstract reviews.

Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.

We welcome and promote diversity and inclusion in our workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Montrose provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities; including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources directly.

Please follow us on LinkedIn (@Montrose Environmental Group) for ongoing updates about our people and business. For more information, visit www.montrose-env.com and don’t forget to bookmark our Careers & Culture page.

While we appreciate all applications we receive, we advise that only candidates under consideration will be contacted.