Intermediate Wetland Ecologist

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. is seeking an experienced Intermediate Wetland Ecologist to support desktop and field wetland delineations and environmental assessments in Canada and the United States.

The role involves significant fieldwork, travel, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. The position requires a solid background in wetland science, GIS proficiency, and the ability to work long days in diverse field conditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in biological sciences, environmental sciences, or related discipline and 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience conducting wetland surveys in boreal, parkland and prairie regions.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro and/or QGIS; familiarity with Google Earth.

Responsibilities

• Lead wetland desktop and field delineations, impact assessments, and restoration monitoring.
• Assist with WAIR and WAIF reporting for wetlands.
• Perform ABWRET-A desktop assessments and fieldwork.
• Mentor field staff and coordinate with project managers and clients.
• Summarize data, generate tables, and support reporting tasks.

Skills

Wetland surveys

Fieldwork coordination

GIS mapping

US-Canada travel

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in biological or environmental sciences

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

Google Earth

Job description

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Job Title

Intermediate Wetland Ecologist

$70,000 - $95,000 (CAD)

Location

AB CA (Primary)

Job Type

Regular

# of Hires Needed

1

Job Description

Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), founded in 1990, has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States and Canada. With over 200 scientific publications, WEST provides a unique blend of scientific inquiry with environmental consulting and has published on a variety of environmental topics. In North America, WEST is well known for its work in the renewable energy industry, having worked on thousands of projects since 1990 as well as writing and developing industrial protocols, procedures, and analyses that have since become industry standards. In 2017, WEST expanded into Canada by opening an office in Calgary, Alberta, and has since expanded into Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. WEST and WEST staff have worked on over 200 renewable energy projects in Canada, including: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Currently, these projects involve constraints analyses, pre- and post-construction surveys, environmental assessment, monitoring, mitigation, expert testimony, and research for wind, solar, battery, and power line clients.

In our continued drive to provide outstanding professional consulting services and original solutions to a wide range of natural resource problems, we are looking for an experienced Intermediate Wetland Ecologist.

Number of positions available: 1

Position Type: Permanent / Full-time

Location: Calgary, AB; remote in Alberta

Job Description:

Primary duties may include:

• Complete and direct various tasks related to wetland desktop and field delineations, classifications, impact assessments, mitigation plan development, permitting, and restoration monitoring.
• Assist a wetland practitioner with Wetland Assessment and Impact Reports (WAIR).
• Assist a wetland practitioner with Wetland Assessment and Impact Forms (WAIF).
• Perform fieldwork using the ABWRET-A Tool and desktop assessments for ABWRET- ‑ D.
• Promote WEST’s core values of quality client service and a collaborative team approach while maintaining a positive and respectful work atmosphere.
• Summarizing and entering data.
• Providing reporting support as needed: compiling tables and figures, report writing.
• Assisting on other reports, surveys and fieldwork (e.g. wildlife, soils, watercourse), as needed.
• Mentoring field staff for various field and report related tasks.
• May assist in conducting soils, watercourse, and wildlife surveys.

This position consists of primarily 60% fieldwork and 40% office work, a nd travel between the field and the Calgary office. Fieldwork will require long days (8-12 hours), in a range of temperature extremes and wind speeds. Candidates must be comfortable with hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., driving a four-wheel drive vehicle, dust, mud, snow, extreme heat, cold, working around cattle). Fieldwork can also occur in remote locations, which will require candidates to be comfortable and able to work and operate vehicles in rugged, steep terrain within areas with large carnivo res. Fieldwork may occur internationally within the United States, candidates must be comfortable and willing to travel for field work. La stly, fieldwork often occurs in areas with little to no cellphone signal. Candidates must be comfortable using satellite and radio devices for regular communication.

Staff may work independently or in small crews and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with site management and WEST supervisors.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position.

Work Location Requirements

This position will involve work in both Canada and the United States. The successful candidate is expected to perform approximately 85% of their work in Canada and 15% in the United States, although actual percentages may vary based on business needs and project requirements. Candidates must be legally authorized to work and travel in both countries as required. This role may require compliance with applicable immigration, tax, payroll, and employment regulations in each jurisdiction.

Employment is contingent upon the employee maintaining all necessary work authorization, social security number (SSN), travel documentation, and eligibility requirements needed to perform work assignments in both Canada and the United States.

Job Requirements:

• Legally allowed to work in Canada.
• A completed bachelor’s degree or higher in the biological sciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline and at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions.
• A valid passport and ability to apply for a US TN Visa
• Ability to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g., Enterprise).
• Experience conducting wetland surveys in the boreal, parkland and prairie region.
• Experience completing ABWRET-A assessments
• Experience with Esri ArcGIS Pro and Desktop Suite, and/or QGIS and/or google earth.
• Ability to work long days (up to 12 hours) in the field and sometimes long shifts (up to 24 days).
• Ability to hike in rugged, steep terrain for long periods of time.
• Capacity to work independently and interact positively with project managers, supervisors, clients, field partners, and landowners.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well under time constraintsand meet deliverable targets and deadlines, with high personal accountability, and minimal supervision.
• Highly developed ability to follow protocols and work efficiently in the field and office.
• Ability to think critically to solve challenging problems.
• P. Biol. or BIT (or equivalent) designation or immediately eligible.

Other Desired Skills:

• Wetland practitioner status.
• Competition of ABWRET-A assessment training.
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys, water quality monitoring, or fisheries assessments.
• Experience with soils surveys.
• Strong interest in working with wildlife, in various sectors.

Successful candidates must be able to provide a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. Successful candidates must also be able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients. Candidates must be capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements, outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, family status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law.