Planning Ecologist

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; Toronto; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Planning Ecologist at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) brings extensive knowledge of aquatic and terrestrial natural heritage and ecosystem sciences to support planning and permitting processes. You will review applications, provide technical guidance to planners and developers, and collaborate with internal teams to ensure compliance with TRCA policies and regulations.

This role requires 4+ years of relevant experience, a university degree, and a valid Ontario G2 license,

Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant experience in ecology/planning and environmental assessment.
• Knowledge of erosion and sediment control guidelines/principles.
• Experience with the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System and Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol.
• Knowledge of the Conservation Authorities Act, Planning Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Species Conservation Act, Fisheries Act.
• Ability to read and interpret complex construction drawings and supporting reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide intermediate level technical review and advice on applications to ensure compliance with policy, regulations, and requirements.
• Review complex technical reports and design drawings submitted as part of planning, permit, and environmental assessment processes.
• Provide clear, concise technical advice to planners to ensure compliance with programs and regulations.
• Provide technical support during site visits and meetings to align guidance with programs.
• Identify regulated features such as watercourses and wetlands and delineate limits in the field.
• Collaborate with planners, hydrogeologists, engineers to coordinate technical comments.
• Mentor Planning Ecologist I’s.
• Support enforcement with ecological input on restoration sites and enforcement files.
• Participate in discussions and cross-unit meetings regarding TRCA projects and policy initiatives.
• Join committees to foster information exchange.
• Incumbents may be assigned other duties.

Skills

Ecology expertise

Technical review

Regulatory compliance

Non-technical communication

Project coordination

Education

University degree in Biology/Natural Resources

Ontario G2 driver’s license

Tools

GIS viewers

Microsoft 365

Bluebeam

Job description

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:The Planning Ecologist provides extensive knowledge in aquatic and terrestrial natural heritage and ecosystem sciences, and their relationship to natural hazard management. They perform intermediate level and occasionally advanced level technical reviews and advice on applications to ensure TRCA policy, regulations and technical recommendations and requirements are addressed through the planning and permitting process. This position represents TRCA with all levels of government, agencies and private industry, collaborating with clients in support of organizational goals and business needs.Major Responsibilities:

Provides intermediate level technical review and advice on applications to ensure TRCA policy, regulations and technical recommendations and requirements are addressed through the planning and permitting processReviews and understands complex technical reports and design drawings submitted as part of the planning, permit and environmental assessment processProvides clear, concise technical advice, in accordance with prescribed delivery standards, to development and environmental assessment planners to ensure compliance with the Authority’s programs, policies and regulation requirementsProvides technical support to Planners during site visits and meetings so that technical guidance provided to proponents and their consultants is in keeping with the Authority's programs, policies and regulationsIdentifies regulated features such as watercourses and wetlands and delineate (stake) the limits of regulated features in the fieldWorks collaboratively with internal staff including planners, hydrogeologists, water resource engineers and geotechnical engineers to ensure coordination of technical commentsProvides mentorship to the Planning Ecologist I’sSupports enforcement staff by providing ecological input on voluntary restoration sites and other enforcement filesParticipates in discussions and meetings with planning, technical and senior staff from across Authority business units regarding TRCA-led projects and local municipal and provincial policy initiativesJoins committees and/or collaborative groups to foster information and knowledge exchangeIncumbents may also be assigned other duties

What will you need to succeed:Education (degree/diploma/certifications/licenses)

University degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences or related fieldValid Ontario Class G2 driver’s license

Experience

4+ years of experience performing the relevant major responsibilities/duties and tasks associated with the role including the application of erosion and sedment control guidelines/principles, Ecological Land Classification, headwater drainage feature assessments, the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System and the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol

Knowledge/Skill/Ability - Competencies

Advanced knowledge and experience of terrestrial and aquatic ecology, the relationship between natural heritage and natural hazards, environmental planning, and impact assessmentSound knowledge and experience with the Conservation Authorities Act, the Planning Act, the Environmental Assessment Act, the Species Conservation Act, the Fisheries ActAbility to read and interpret complex construction drawings and supporting reportsSounds understanding of construction techniques and mitigation measures to prevent environmental damageDemonstrated ability to proactively identify problems in a timely manner, seeking the appropriate level of support to solve issuesand address the needs of both internal and external customersAbility to communicate technical information to a non-technical audienceProficiency in various Microsoft 365 applications, Blubeam and GIS viewersAble to self-manage workload and prioritize tasks independently