Senior Fisheries and Aquatic Biologist

SLR Consulting; Kamloops; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Wellness initiatives

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

SLR Consulting (Canada) is seeking a Senior Fisheries and Aquatic Biologist to lead fisheries and aquatic resources work, with emphasis on regulatory approvals and permitting for mining projects. You will design field programs, oversee technical products, and provide strategic regulatory guidance to clients.

You will mentor staff, manage projects, develop proposals, and build client relationships while advancing our fisheries and aquatics services across Canada.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of ecology experience in environmental consulting with fisheries focus
• Bachelor level degree required; Master’s preferred asset
• RP Bio certification strongly preferred in BC
• Strong knowledge of fisheries and aquatic field protocols
• Experience with environmental assessment and permitting processes
• Proven project coordination, budgeting and resourcing skills
• Excellent technical writing and reporting abilities
• Experience engaging Indigenous communities, regulators and clients

Responsibilities

• Lead baseline fisheries assessments, study design, field programs and habitat characterization
• Design aquatic effects assessments and mitigation planning
• Prepare regulatory submissions and ensure compliance with Fisheries Act and related acts
• Manage multidisciplinary projects including scope, budget, schedule and quality
• Engage clients, regulators, Indigenous groups and stakeholders with clear technical guidance
• Mentor staff and field teams, ensuring safe, efficient field operations
• Support permitting for fish habitat offsetting and monitoring programs
• Contribute to business development through proposals, presentations and bids
• Stay updated on regulatory changes and industry best practices

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring staff

Technical writing

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology or Natural Sciences

Master’s degree preferred

Registered Professional Biologist (RP Bio) BC

Job description

We are SLR Consulting (Canada), an 800+ team of advisory, environmental/engineering, and regulatory professionals across Canada. We deliver environmental and sustainability services to our clients through the integration of over 30 advisory, technical environmental, and engineering disciplines to help clients address some of their most complex challenges around sustainability. We are Making Sustainability Happen.

As our new Senior Fisheries and Aquatic Biologist, you will play a key role in leading work on mining and other projects by providing expertise in fish and fish habitat assessments, including aquatic resources, regulatory approvals, and permitting processes.

Success in this role will depend on your ability to provide technical leadership in fisheries and aquatic resources while effectively collaborating with clients, regulators, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. You will bring a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and best practices for assessments of fish and fish habitat and aquatic resources, management, and restoration. In addition to your technical expertise, you will have experience in project management, proposal development, and mentoring technical staff, ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality work in a dynamic consulting environment.

You will enjoy a flexible and dynamic work environment, where your success will depend on your collaborative working style, your client-centric mindset, and your superb technical skills.

Role

You will take on a leadership role in fisheries and aquatic resources assessments, with a focus on regulatory approvals and permitting for mining and other projects. You will work closely with a team of experienced professionals to navigate complex regulatory requirements, including Environmental Assessments (), Fisheries Act Authorizations, Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations Schedule 2 amendments, and habitat offsetting plans. Your role will involve designing and overseeing execution of field programs; developing high quality technical products, including fish habitat offsetting plans; and providing strategic advice to clients for regulatory approvals and compliance. In addition to your project responsibilities, you will provide mentorship and guidance to technical staff; conduct business development, including building and maintaining client relationships and seeking and preparing proposals; and support the growth of our fisheries and aquatics services, enhancing our capabilities and industry presence.

This is a unique opportunity to work on high-profile projects with a growing team - so if you’re entrepreneurial at heart, excited about growth, and ready to be given the space to really shine at what you’re good at, you’ll excel with us.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver baseline fisheries assessments, including study design, field programs, habitat characterization, population assessments, and integrated analysis of aquatic ecosystem conditions.
• Design and conduct aquatic effects assessments to evaluate potential project impacts on fish, fish habitat, and aquatic ecosystems, including predictive modeling and mitigation planning.
• Develop and oversee technical reports and regulatory submissions, ensuring alignment with provincial and federal environmental legislation (e.g., Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Impact Assessment Act).
• Manage multidisciplinary projects, including scope development, budgeting, scheduling, resourcing, and quality assurance throughout project delivery.
• Engage with clients, regulators, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders, providing clear communication, technical guidance, and strategic recommendations.
• Lead and mentor staff and field teams, providing technical review and ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality field operations.
• Support environmental permitting and approvals for projects, including fish habitat offsetting/compensation planning and follow up monitoring programs.
• Contribute to business development, including preparing proposals, presentations, and bids, and supporting market growth initiatives.
• Maintain industry awareness, staying current with regulatory changes, emerging trends, and best practices to inform strategic decision making and ensure compliance.

Working @ SLR

With us, there is no doubt you’ll grow your subject-matter expertise and industry knowledge. We care about investing in our employees for the long-run, and if you ask our team, they’ll tell you that’s just one of the many benefits of working here. We want to be a place where you can experience career growth and satisfaction for many years.

Here’s what else you’ll enjoy as part of our team:

• Competitive total compensation package, including comprehensive benefits, vacation, and a suite of wellness initiatives
• The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $160,000. Final agreed upon compensation will be commensurate with individual education, professional designation, experience, internal parity, and location.
• Full-time, permanent role with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Qualifications/Education/Memberships

• Professional experience (15+ years) as an Ecologist in the environmental consulting industry, with a focus on fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.), in Biology, Ecology or Natural Sciences; a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) is considered an asset.
• Accreditation as a Registered Professional Biologist through the College of Applied Biologists of BC.
• Strong knowledge of fisheries and aquatic field protocols, including scientific study design and implementation.
• Experience supporting environmental assessment, baseline evaluation, monitoring, and oversight of large multidisciplinary projects. Experience with major projects in the mining sector is considered an asset.
• Proficiency in database management, statistical data analysis, and ecological data interpretation.
• Excellent technical writing, reporting and research skills, including experience in conducting technical reviews.
• Experience navigating permitting and authorization processes related to Canadian federal, provincial, and regional legislation and policies.
• Demonstrated project coordination and management skills, including project planning, schedule and budget preparation, project implementation, and the ability to produce deliverables on time.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience engaging a range of stakeholders, including internal staff, clients, contractors, Indigenous communities, and regulators.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy in British Columbia.

Artificial intelligence is not being used to screen, assess, or select applicants.

SLR strives to build diverse teams that reflect the communities we work in, and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, veterans, and people with disabilities.