Senior Fisheries Biologist

Stantec; Waterloo; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Senior Fisheries Biologist to lead aquatic components of projects in Ontario, focusing on freshwater ecology. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience in environmental consulting and be adept in project management, ecological assessments, and communication. This full-time role offers a flexible workplace strategy with the chance to make a significant impact in diverse environmental projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of industry experience, at least part in environmental consulting.
• Registered in MTO’s RAQS for Fisheries Assessment is a plus.
• Experience liaising with Indigenous communities is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead aquatic components of various projects in transport, oil, and gas sectors.
• Manage freshwater ecology field programs and provide technical mentorship.
• Prepare high-quality deliverables and manage budgets.

Skills

Knowledge of environmental assessments

Technical communication skills

Project management skills

Experience with Fisheries Act

Client relationship management

Field crew leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology

Technological diploma in Environmental Sciences

Tools

Mobile digital data collection tools

Job description

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that’s critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Your Opportunity

We are currently seeking a talented and ambitious Senior Fisheries Biologist to join our Ecology Team in one of our Ontario locations. The successful candidate will lead aquatic components of projects in the transportation infrastructure, oil and gas, mining, power/ renewable energy sectors, among others, depending on the experience and interests of the successful candidate. As a senior practitioner, you will help to shape our freshwater ecology practice and provide direction to intermediate and junior staff, including field biologists. Stantec has a flexible workplace strategy, which allows staff to work flexibly between home and the office.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Plan (i.e., develop scope and budget), lead, and manage freshwater ecology and/or aquatic species at risk components of projects
• Understand standard practices and techniques for sampling and analysis of fish and benthic invertebrate communities, aquatic habitat, and water and sediment quality data from streams, rivers, and lakes
• Coordinate and oversee freshwater ecology field programs and field staff
• Provide input to proposals and other business development activities
• Prepare high-quality deliverables from stand-alone reports to chapters in larger reports, DFO correspondence, and agency consultation
• Manage tasks and projects according to approved scopes of work, and deliver quality reports and deliverables on schedule and within budget
• Develop and maintain client and regulatory contacts
• Understand project goals and provide sound environmental project advice to external clients and internal Stantec contacts
• Work with other disciplines and business lines within Stantec’s Ontario offices to deliver projects
• Experience with Fisheries Act reviews, authorization, and species at risk permits; working with designers, clients, and agencies to obtain authorizations
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to facilitate long-term sustainability and succession within the freshwater ecology team
• Contribute to the team’s operational success by tracking workload and project budgets
• Embrace and promote Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) Policies, Procedures, Standards, and Guidelines in the execution of all work

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Knowledge and experience with environmental assessments, environmental impact studies, and natural heritage policies in Ontario, especially regarding working in and around watercourses, waterbodies, and fish habitat
• Working knowledge of current provincial and federal government regulatory requirements, including applied experience with federal Fisheries Act Authorizations, and Species at Risk Act and Endangered Species Act permits related to aquatic species
• Experience in business development, working with and guiding clients, and proposal writing
• Experience liaising with industry clients, government agencies, regulatory bodies, and the public
• Experience in a range of project phases (from baseline data collection programs to Environmental Assessments, and the various phases of planning and design) across a range of sectors
• Experience in leading field crews in fish and fish habitat field programs, and guiding staff in data management, data analysis, and report preparation
• Strong senior technical review skills
• Proven technical communication, writing, and organization skills, including demonstrated experience preparing technical reports
• Strong project management skills
• Able to work both independently and in a collaborative team environment
• Thrive in an environment with diverse and dynamic projects, and enjoys working on multi-disciplinary scopes of work
• Valid driver’s licence

Additional Assets:

• Registered in MTO’s RAQS for Fisheries Assessment or related category
• Knowledge and experience applying the MTO/DFO/MNRF Fisheries Protocol for Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat on Provincial Undertakings
• MTO/DFO/MNRF Fisheries Protocol Training
• Experience planning and implementing Headwater Drainage Feature Assessments
• Class I Electrofishing or Class II Backpack Electrofishing Certification
• Familiarity with the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP)
• Familiar with the application of mobile digital data collection tools
• Experience leading or supporting aquatic Environmental Effects Monitoring programs for Ontario-based mines and/or pulp and paper mills
• Experience working with Indigenous communities

Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s degree or technological diploma in Biology, Environmental Sciences, or a related field is required
Minimum 10 years of industry experience, with at least part of the experience at a senior level in environmental consulting

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.

This is a full-time permanent position. Compensation to be determined based on experience.

Additional Information