Senior Aquatic Scientist

Onterris; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris is seeking a Senior Aquatic Scientist to join our Western Aquatics & Wildlife team in Calgary, Edmonton or Grande Prairie. The role focuses on aquatic ecology, fisheries, hydrology or water quality, leading complex projects and mentoring colleagues across regions.

You will oversee environmental investigations, engage with municipal and industry clients, and ensure regulatory compliance while advancing our safety culture and project delivery standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of work experience in environmental consulting or related industry.
• Strong leadership and communication skills in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to perform periodic field work and oversee aquatic investigations.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in Aquatics (ecology, fisheries, hydrology or water quality) and lead project delivery.
• Mentor junior team members and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead and manage project proposals, work plans, budgets, and client invoicing.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Field work

Driver's license

Education

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

Professional Biologist (PBio) designation

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 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.

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

• 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.

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. For US residents, click here to learn more.