Junior Ecologist

Onterris; Guelph; On-site; CAD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris is seeking a Junior Ecologist to join our team in Guelph or Oakville, Ontario. You will collaborate with a diverse group of ecologists and field staff to deliver ecological assessments, restoration designs and monitoring projects across urban and remote environments.

The role offers hands-on fieldwork and a clear path to grow within environmental planning and conservation. You will contribute to watershed planning, wildlife and habitat assessments, and environmental reporting while

Qualifications

• Technical Diploma or Bachelor of Science in biology, 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 (urban, conservation, infrastructure, energy, hydropower, spill response).
• Knowledge of environmental legislation and policies such as Species at Risk Act and Conservation Authorities Act.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, plan, schedule, and coordinate activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for clients, agencies and field staff.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to watershed planning, climate resilience, restoration and community transportation projects.
• Collaborate with technical staff to develop and execute natural heritage assessments and impact studies.
• Conduct fieldwork including tree inventories, ecological land classification, botanical inventories and wildlife surveys.
• Complete pre-field planning, safety planning and equipment calibration.
• Review background data and coordinate with agencies to determine species at risk and constraints.
• Prepare environmental reports and provide input on environmental assessments and impact studies.
• Support permits and approvals (MECP, DFO, Conservation Authorities, SARA, etc.).
• Carry out environmental and construction monitoring programs.
• Be a safety leader during fieldwork.

Skills

Fieldwork

Data analysis

Report writing

Communication

Project coordination

Safety leadership

Wildlife surveys

Education

Technical Diploma or Bachelor of Science (biology, ecology, environmental science)

Tools

Job description

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.

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:

• 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

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.
• 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.

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.