Environmental Field Team Leader – Ornithologist

SNC-Lavalin; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent engineering firm is looking for an Environmental Field Team Leader - Ornithologist to guide field surveys across Canada. You will oversee daily operations, ensure compliance with environmental regulations, and lead a dedicated team in various outdoor conditions. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Environmental Science, a minimum of five years' experience in bird habitat surveys, and strong leadership skills. This role involves travel throughout Quebec and Ontario and requires a bilingual communicator to ensure effective collaboration.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Flexible benefits

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid working culture

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in field surveys for birds and their habitat.
• Experience with provincial and federal environmental regulations is an asset.
• Ability to work in challenging outdoor conditions for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Organize and assign daily tasks to team members.
• Ensure all required equipment, materials, and permits are available before field deployment.
• Participate actively in field surveys and sampling activities.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Team cohesion maintenance

Bilingual (French-English)

Education

Degree or diploma in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology

Tools

GPS

Data loggers

Field equipment

Job description

Job Description

Location: Available throughout Quebec

Overview

As we continue to grow, we are looking for a passionate and talented Environmental Field Team Leader - Ornithologist to work with our environment team on exciting infrastructure projects across Canada.

One key project you will work on is the Alto high-speed rail project, connecting Québec City to Toronto, as an experienced partner within the Cadence consortium. This consortium—comprising CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, SYSTRA Canada, Keolis Canada, Air Canada, and SNCF Voyageurs—was selected by the Canadian government to develop the project following a rigorous bidding process. Thanks to our expertise, we will ensure optimal performance and seamless service within a modern rail network. Here’s your opportunity to help shape the future of high-speed rail in Canada!

Your role

• Organize and assign daily tasks to team members;
• Ensure all required equipment, materials, and permits are available before field deployment;
• Participate actively in field surveys and sampling activities;
• Ensure standardized methodologies are applied consistently across all data collection efforts;
• Validate and review data for accuracy and completeness;
• Implement proper data backup procedures at the end of each day;
• Monitor adherence to protocols and project-specific requirements;
• Provide guidance and training to team members on best practices;
• Implement and enforce health and safety plans in the field;
• Conduct daily safety briefings and hazard assessments;
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, even under challenging conditions such as long hours, repetitive tasks, and remote work;
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to maintain morale and resolve conflicts constructively;
• Communicate progress, issues, and recommendations to project managers;
• Prepare summary notes and contribute to technical reports as required.

About you

• Degree or diploma in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or related field;
• Minimum 5 years of experience in field surveys for birds and their habitat;
• Experience with provincial and federal environmental regulations is an asset;
• Strong knowledge of bird species, bird songs and breeding evidence codes;
• Proven leadership and organizational skills;
• Ability to maintain team cohesion and motivation during extended fieldwork in remote areas;
• Familiarity with GPS, data loggers, and relevant software;
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to remote locations;
• First Aid and WHMIS certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Ability to work in challenging outdoor conditions for extended periods (asset);
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills;
• French-English bilingualism* is an asset.

Working conditions

• Field-based travel across Québec and Ontario; exposure to variable weather, wildlife, and remote terrain;
• Use of vehicles, boats/ATVs (as applicable), and field equipment with appropriate training and PPE;
• Occasional evening/weekend work aligned with field windows.

*This position requires knowledge of another language besides French, namely English, as you will be part of a Canadian, global, or regional management team and will need to collaborate with colleagues outside Quebec.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career at AtkinsRéalis in Canada.

Enjoy competitive compensation, employee recognition, and a brilliant range of flexible benefits you can tailor to your health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle needs. Make the most of diverse opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise.

And take advantage of our hybrid working culture and generous time-off policies to balance a fulfilling career with your personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

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Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis , we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.