Intermediate Ecologist

LE044 Onterris Canada Inc.; Oakville; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris is seeking an Intermediate Ecologist to join our Oakville or Guelph, Ontario office. You will work with a team of ecologists and field staff on assessment, monitoring, restoration design and construction projects in ecology.

The role pays CAD 38.00 to 45.00 hourly, commensurate with experience, skills and location, with opportunities to contribute to watershed planning, climate resiliency projects and regulatory environmental assessments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of vegetation and/or wildlife survey experience, including SAR surveys.
• Ontario environmental consulting experience preferred.
• OWES evaluator or ELC Ontario certification preferred.
• Strong fieldwork and report-writing skills.
• Valid driver’s license with willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to watershed planning, climate resiliency, restoration, renewable energy and community transportation projects.
• Develop and execute natural heritage assessments, inventories and impact assessments, and prepare technical reports and cost estimates.
• Conduct field work including tree inventories, wildlife surveys, water quality and benthic sampling.
• Review background data with agencies to determine species at risk and constraints.
• Provide advice to clients on regulatory environmental assessments and monitoring programs.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff; manage projects and safety in the field.

Skills

Vegetation surveys

Wildlife surveys

Fieldwork

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

BSc/BSc in biology or environmental science, ecology

Tools

Ecological Land Classification (ELC Ontario)

OWES evaluator

Job description

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact. “For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive. When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact. Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.

A Day in the Life

As an Intermediate Ecologist, based in our Oakville or Guelph, Ontario office, you will work in an integrated team of aquatic and terrestrial ecologists, and field staff to deliver a variety of assessment, monitoring, restoration design, and construction projects in the ecology field. The compensation range for this role is $38.00 to $45.00 hourly, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.

To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities:

• Contribute to watershed planning, climate change resiliency, restoration, renewable energy and community transportation projects.
• Work with senior technical staff to develop and execute natural heritage assessments, inventories and impact assessments, as well as prepare technical correspondence and project reports.
• Conduct field work and carry out standard field methods (tree inventories, Ecological Land Classification, botanical inventories, wildlife surveys [birds, amphibians, bats, SAR], fish habitat mapping, water quality and benthic sampling, fish capture and relocations).
• Execute complex biological investigations and oversee field surveys.
• Complete pre-field planning for projects (i.e., safety planning, mapping preparation, equipment calibration) following the Onterris standards.
• Review background data including agency liaison to determine Species at Risk (SAR) and environmental constraints.
• Prepare and/or review technical reports, work plans and cost estimates.
• 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.
• Manage and coordinate projects.
• Mentor and guide junior staff.
• Be a safety leader while completing and leading fieldwork.

Your Expertise and Skills

These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.

Technical Diploma or Bachelor of Science degree(s) in biology, ecology, environmental science or related discipline, with a focus in botany, zoology, ecology, environmental science or related discipline.

• 5 or more years of related work experience conducting vegetation and/or wildlife surveys with a thorough understanding of survey protocols, including Species at Risk surveys. Previous experience working at an environmental consulting firm in Ontario is preferred.
• Ecological Land Classification of Ontario certification (preferably southern Ontario) and Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) evaluator is preferred.
• Wildlife survey experience including breeding bird, nest sweep, acoustic recording unit and camera deployment surveys, winter tracking, owl and amphibian surveys (including pitfall trapping).
• Project management skills, including developing and monitoring of budgets, approved project scope and schedule, organizational skills; staff supervision and team communications.
• Familiarity with pertinent regulatory requirements (e.g., Federal Fisheries Act, SARA, SCA) and processes.
• Strong organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, plan, schedule, and coordinate various activities relating to projects and proposal submissions.
• Willingness to travel to undertake fieldwork as required (field demands can include working long hours, working in inclement weather conditions, and working in remote areas).
• Self-motivated and possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Arborist Certification (ISA) is considered an asset.
• Additional certifications relating to ecological protocols or environmental monitoring (i.e. OBBN, OSAP, CAN-CISEC, etc.) is considered an asset.
• Valid class 1 or class 2 electrofishing certificate and water safety certificate considered assets.
• Must have or be able to obtain first aid certification.
• A valid class 5 or G driver’s license with no restrictions.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The physical and environmental requirements below reflect what’s typically needed to perform the essential functions of this role safely and effectively. We may provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law, to support performance of the essential functions.

Sitting, standing, and walking. Occasionally lifting 50 pounds several times a day. Often works outdoors and may be exposed to hot and cold environments and extreme weather conditions, including sunlit, rainy and windy conditions.

Onterris provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities; including accommodation that considers an applicant’s accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to work with Human Resources directly.

This posting reflects a current vacancy that the company is actively seeking to fill. Please note, we are not accepting third party agency applicants at this time.

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress.

For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants.

At Onterris, we take on complex challenges with purpose and momentum, alongside teams that lead with integrity, deliver together, and invest in your growth.

Employee Testimonials

“Working with inspiring coworkers and clients across the globe over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding. Their passion motivates me to improve our client experience and work that I deliver.” – Erin Peck, Emissions Services

“There are not many places where a toxicologist can be boots-on-the-ground at an environmental emergency one day and deep in a human health risk assessment or litigation the next, but this company is one of them, and honestly, that breadth is what makes me love the work. We are a team of scientists with a broad range of talents and experiences who genuinely take the mission to heart, because protecting people and communities from chemical hazards is not abstract here; it is exactly why we show up every day. The culture reflects that shared commitment in the best way: collaborative, rigorous, and truly motivated by the impact we make together.” – Andre Richardson, Consulting

“I knew my position here would be more than just a job. Every day is a new, exciting challenge to solve, and I get to go home knowing that the work I am doing is having a positive impact on the world.” – J Esteves, R&D