Senior Ecologist

Burnside & Associates Limited; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Aquatic or Terrestrial Ecologist to join their dynamic team in Hamilton. This role involves providing technical leadership, managing environmental projects, and collaborating with a diverse group of professionals. You'll lead teams in conducting ecological surveys, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and preparing high-quality reports for various stakeholders. With a commitment to employee development and a supportive work culture, this opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in the field of ecology while enjoying a flexible work environment and career growth. If you're passionate about ecological solutions and ready to advance your career, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working opportunities

Competitive compensation and benefits package

RSP company matching plan

Career growth opportunities

Potential for performance-driven bonusing

Recruiting bonus for referrals

Welcoming and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• 10+ years of consulting experience related to ecology with leadership skills.
• Strong project management skills to keep within schedules and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance to junior staff and manage natural environmental projects.
• Coordinate Environmental/Adaptive Management Plans and conduct ecological surveys.

Skills

Ecology

Project Management

Technical Writing

Species at Risk Surveys

Interpersonal Skills

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Studies

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Job description

Join us at our new Hamilton location as we expand our Land Development Ecology Team and take the lead in shaping the future of ecological solutions. We are currently in search of a dynamic Senior Aquatic or Terrestrial Ecologist (permanent, full-time) who is keen on advancing their professional journey.

At Burnside, our Land Development Ecology Team comprises environmental ecologists with diverse experience and expertise, dedicated to assisting clients in navigating project challenges within the Land Development sector. As a vital member of this group, the successful candidate will directly report to the Vice President of Ecology, Land Development. In this role, you'll collaborate with our ecologists, environmental professionals, and engineers, playing a key part in project delivery and actively contributing to team development.

Roles and Responsibilities

More specifically, the position may involve carrying out the following duties:

Aquatic Ecologist:

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to junior and/or intermediate staff.
• Manage the scope, budget, and deliverables for the natural environmental component of land development projects.
• Coordinate and execute Environmental/Adaptive Management Plans, such as the design and implementation of ESC strategies and water quality monitoring.
• Direct a team of aquatic staff who undertake aquatic fieldwork and ecological surveys across southern/central Ontario, using established protocols (i.e., fish habitat and headwater drainage feature assessments).
• Apply strong working knowledge of Species at Risk (SAR) surveys and submit permit applications, particularly for Redside Dace under the Species at Risk Act, Endangered Species Act and Fisheries Act.
• Stay up to date with federal and provincial regulations pertaining to current projects.
• Effectively communicate and establish positive relationships with federal and provincial agencies (i.e., DFO and MNRF/MECP) during permitting process, on behalf of our clients.
• Lead high-quality technical field reports, project reports and proposals, with an emphasis on document preparation for federal and provincial environmental approvals.
• Provide input into Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Evaluations, Due Diligence Assessments and Environmental Assessments.
• Liase with, and provide support to, other technical specialists including project leads, ecologists, hydrogeologists, GIS specialists, engineers, and other disciplines.
• Other duties as required.

Terrestrial Ecologist

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to junior and/or intermediate staff.
• Manage the scope, budget and deliverables for the natural environmental component of land development projects.
• Direct a team of terrestrial staff who undertake fieldwork and ecological surveys across southern/central Ontario, using established protocols.
• Apply strong working knowledge of SAR surveys and submit permit applications, particularly for Butternut under the Endangered Species Act.
• Stay up to date with federal and provincial regulations pertaining to current projects.
• Effectively communicate and establish positive relationships with federal and provincial agencies (i.e., Conservation Authorities, MNRF/MECP) during permitting process, on behalf of our clients.
• Coordinate the production of high-quality technical field reports, project reports and proposals, with an emphasis on document preparation for federal and provincial environmental approvals.
• Prepare Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Evaluations, Due Diligence Assessments and input to Environmental Assessments.
• Liase with, and provide support to, other technical specialists including project leads, ecologists, hydrogeologists, GIS specialists, engineers, and other disciplines.
• Other duties as required.

Professional Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess the following qualifications, experience and skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Studies and/or other related field.
• Ideally, 10+ years consulting experience related to ecology with proven leadership skills to supervise and manage junior/intermediate staff.
• Experience within the Land Development industry is preferred.
• Strong project management skills with an ability to keep within project schedules and budgets and can prioritize workload accordingly in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven technical writing skills, with the ability to maintain records and prepare high-quality reports and proposals including work plans/budgets for future projects.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills are required, as well as an aptitude for client and contractor liaison.

Other qualifications, experience and skills necessary, depending on your area of expertise:

• Fisheries ecology-related: OSAP, Fish ID, OBBN, Class 2 Backpack Electrofishing, Can-CISEC.
• Experience with ESC inspections and working effectively with contractors.
• Terrestrial ecology-related: Ecological Land Classification, Ontario Wetland Evaluation System, Butternut Health Assessment, ISA Certified Arborist, vascular plant inventory experience.
• Working knowledge of provincial, municipal, and federal environmental planning and legislative guidelines, policies and best practices (i.e., Fisheries Act, Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife Act, Conservation Authorities Act, Official Plans, Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan).
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS and/or AutoCAD.

Why Choose Burnside?

Are you interested in working for an employer with a 5-decade track record of building a great reputation both internally with their staff and externally with their clients? The Burnside team is a supportive group of colleagues that work together to provide value and service to our clients, while extending care to each other. We know that our employees are our greatest asset, and thus we strive to provide a positive work/life balance.

We offer:

• A collaborative culture where friendship, honesty and respect are part of our core values and practices.
• Flexible working hours and office locations, including hybrid working opportunities.
• A competitive compensation and benefits package.
• RSP company matching plan.
• Career growth and professional development opportunities.
• Potential for performance-driven bonusing.
• Recruiting bonus / finder’s fee for referrals.
• A welcoming, positive, and inclusive work environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity in the workplace and we welcome resumes from all qualified candidates. Burnside will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the entire recruitment, assessment, and selection process, as required. If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation during these processes, please contact our Human Resources department.

Company Profile – More about us:

Founded in 1970, R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited is a growing values-driven employee-owned multidiscipline engineering and environmental consulting firm with over 400 staff. Our consistent commitment towards investing in technology advancements and training, in addition to encouraging and promoting professional development, has enabled our firm to meet our ongoing and stated goal of continual improvement.

We actively seek to develop relationships with a broad and diversified client base in the Public, Private and Indigenous sectors. We work on a variety of projects throughout Canada, with ten office locations in Ontario and one in Manitoba.

Burnside has expertise in many technical disciplines beyond our core civil engineering focus including air and noise, asset management, building sciences, environmental planning and ecology, GIS, hydrogeology, land development, landscape architecture, municipal drainage, solid waste, stormwater management, structures, transportation planning and design, water and wastewater and well drilling & diagnostics.