Senior Aquatic Scientist

ASPB; Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris is seeking a Senior Aquatic Scientist to join the Western Aquatics & Wildlife team in Calgary, Edmonton, or Grande Prairie. The role focuses on delivering high-quality aquatic projects, mentoring staff, and collaborating with clients and regulators.

You will oversee complex investigations, provide technical leadership, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance across projects in Alberta. A strong background in aquatic science and licensing is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of work experience in environmental consulting or related industry.
• Designation in Professional Biologist (P.Bio.) or similar.
• Ability to perform periodic field work.
• Knowledge of Western Canadian and Federal environmental regulations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams as technical advisor or reviewer.
• Experience managing projects, budgets, and client communications.
• Valid Class 5 driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in Aquatics including Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, or Water Quality.
• Lead project oversight and deliverables as a Technical Advisor.
• Oversee complex aquatic investigations and environmental assessments.
• Collaborate with municipal governments, authorities, academia and industry.
• Mentor junior team members in field and office settings.
• Maintain Onterris safety culture and regulatory compliance.
• Lead development of project proposals, work plans, budgets, and invoicing.
• Liaise with contractors and external stakeholders.
• Provide guidance on regulatory applications for aquatic programs.

Skills

Aquatic science

Environmental science

Field work

Regulatory knowledge

Project leadership

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Professional Biologist

Driver's license

Stakeholder liaison

Education

B.Sc./M.Sc. in Aquatic Science or Environmental Science

Job description

Senior Aquatic Scientist

Company

Company Onterris

Location

Published

Published Oct 20, 2026

Closing

Category

Category Job Board

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose,responsibilityand 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,interwovenand international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams,consultantsand 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 acareer,you’rejoining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smartersolutionsand 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 Senior Aquatic Scientist, located in either Calgary, Edmonton or Grande Prairie, you'll be part of our Western Aquatics & Wildlife team.

The compensation range for this role is $90,000 to $115,000, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.

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

• Provide expertise in the fields of Aquatics (Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology or Water Quality) while developing and collaborating with a team to deliver high-quality products.
• Have autonomy and the opportunity to interact and work with a community of technical experts from other Onterris regions.
• Play a substantial role in project delivery, predominantly in project oversight in a Technical Advisor or Subject-Matter-Expert capacity.
• Oversee complex biological investigations, specifically aquatic effects assessments (e.g., benthic invertebrate and aquatic ecology projects).
• Partner with extensive, long-standing clients such as municipal governments, conservation authorities, academia, and private industry. Leverage existing positive client relationships in this role.
• Mentor and develop junior team members in both field and office environments
• Participate actively in maintaining the Onterris strong safety culture.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership on environmental regulatory applications in line with regulations.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership on aquatic ecology, fisheries, hydrology or water quality-focused programs.
• Provide aquatic expertise for baseline/pre-construction, construction and post-construction monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory guidelines and/or commitments.
• Provide senior review and professional sign-off on client and regulatory deliverables within their fields of expertise.
• Lead and/or support colleagues in developing and maintaining project opportunities with existing and new clients.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistency and quality in project execution.
• Work as project manager for projects and proposals. Tasks include developing project proposals, work plans and project budgets, budget forecasting, resource management, change-order management and client invoicing.
• Liaise with contractors and external stakeholders.
• Provide advice to internal and external clients related to complex aquatic environmental monitoring strategy, aquatic monitoring in streams and waterbodies affected by contaminated sites and industrial impacts, aquatic effects assessments, and Ecological Risk Assessments.

Your Expertise and Skills

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

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Aquatic Science, Environmental Science or a related field.
• Familiarity with the Western Canadian and Federal environmental regulations.
• 10+ years of work experience in environmental consulting or related industry.
• Designation in relevant Practice Areas (ex. Professional Biologist, P.Bio.).
• Ability to perform periodic field work.
• Experience providing guidance for aquatic studies, fish salvages, habitat assessments, fish health studies, aquatic effects assessments supporting risk assessments, and/or remediation techniques in aquatic habitats.
• Direct environmental and regulatory related experience in various markets including power, mining, and oil and gas.
• Knowledge and practical application of environmental issues and constraints affecting biophysical resources in water-adjacent settings.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams as a technical advisor or technical reviewer.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate leadership and communication skills in a collaborative environment.
• Valid class 5 driver’s license with no restrictions.

In keeping with our Health & Safety Policy, individuals in safety sensitive positions are subject to pre-employment, pre-access (and in some client cases, random) alcohol & drug testing as well as drivers abstract reviews.

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.