Junior Ecologist

LE044 Onterris Canada Inc.; Guelph; On-site; CAD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris Canada Inc. is seeking a Junior Ecologist based in Guelph or Oakville, ON to join an integrated team of ecologists and field staff. The role involves delivering assessment, monitoring, restoration design and construction projects across Ontario.

The compensation range is $30.00 to $38.00 hourly, commensurate with experience and location. Applicants should have a biology/ecology background and field survey experience; a valid driver’s license and first aid certification are required.

Qualifications

• BSc in biology, ecology, environmental science or related discipline.
• 1–3 years of experience as an ecologist or environmental technician in a consulting context.
• Wildlife survey experience in Ontario (breeding birds, nests, acoustic and camera surveys).
• Analytical skills for data analysis and statistics of environmental data.
• Must have or be able to obtain first aid certification and a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to watershed planning, climate resiliency, restoration and community transportation projects.
• Collaborate with staff to develop ecological assessments, inventories and impact studies; prepare technical reports.
• Carry out fieldwork and standard methods: tree inventories, ecological classifications, wildlife surveys in urban/remote Ontario.
• Complete pre-field planning, safety mapping and equipment calibration per Onterris standards.
• Coordinate with agencies to determine SAR constraints and environmental approvals.
• Provide natural environment input on Environmental Assessments and related reports.
• Support permits and approvals (MECP, DFO, Conservation Authorities, SARA).
• Conduct environmental and construction monitoring; lead fieldwork safely.

Skills

Biology degree

Ecology

Field surveys

Wildlife surveys

Data analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

SAR knowledge

Driver's license

First aid

Education

B.Sc. in biology/ecology

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 Day in the Life

As a Junior Ecologist based in our Guelph or Oakville, ON office, 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 compensation range for this role is $30.00 to $38.00 hourly, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.

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

Responsibilities

• Contribute to watershed planning, climate change resiliency, restoration and community transportation projects.
• Collaborate with technical staff to develop and execute natural heritage assessments, inventories, and impact assessments, as well as prepare technical correspondence and project reports.
• Conduct fieldwork and carry out standard field methods including tree inventories, Ecological Land Classification, 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.
• Complete pre-field planning for projects (i.e., safety planning, mapping preparation, equipment calibration) following Onterris standards.
• Review background data 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, SCA, SARA, etc.).
• Complete environmental monitoring and construction monitoring programs.
• Be a safety leader while completing and leading fieldwork.

Your Expertise and Skills

• 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.
• 1-3 years of experience as an ecologist or environmental technician in a consulting environment.
• Wildlife survey experience in Ontario including breeding birds, nest sweeps, acoustic recording unit and camera deployment surveys, winter tracking, owl and amphibian surveys.
• Analytical skills applicable to data analysis, study design and statistical analysis of environmental data.
• Ability to work 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 Species Conservation 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.
• Ecological Land Classification of Ontario certification (preferably southern Ontario) is an asset.
• Arborist Certification is considered an asset.
• Additional certifications relating to ecological protocols or environmental monitoring (i.e., OBBN, OSAP, CAN-CISEC, etc.) is considered an asset.
• 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
• Occasional lifting of 50 pounds several times a day
• 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).

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.

Equal Opportunity

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. For US residents, click here to learn more.

Additional Company Information

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.

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

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.