Senior Technical Writing Ecologist

WSP in Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 86,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Balance-focused culture

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Technical Writing Ecologist to lead the preparation of technical reports, EIAs, and permitting materials across Ontario. You will integrate field data, policy requirements, and interdisciplinary insights to produce defensible conclusions for environmental approvals and monitoring programs.

You’ll work across land development, infrastructure, mining, energy, municipal, transportation, and natural heritage projects while mentoring junior staff and guiding complex

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in ecology or related field; a research-based graduate degree is a strong asset.
• Typically 8 to 12+ years of ecology or related experience in consulting, government, or academia.
• Advanced technical writing and scientific reasoning with experience leading complex ecological reports.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario ecology and relevant policy frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of technical reports, environmental impact studies, and permitting materials.
• Integrate field observations, data, policy requirements and interdisciplinary inputs into clear conclusions.
• Shape study objectives, methods, timing, data needs, and lines of evidence.
• Evaluate ecological sensitivities, effects, mitigation and monitoring needs.
• Guide deliverables through senior writing, reviews, and identifying data gaps and risks.
• Mentor junior staff in scientific reasoning and defensible documentation.
• Develop scopes, schedules, risks, and documentation strategies for proposals.
• Represent ecology in client meetings, agency engagement, and internal discussions.

Skills

Technical writing

Scientific reasoning

Policy & regulatory knowledge

Data interpretation

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring

Field-to-report integration

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in ecology or related field

Graduate degree asset

Job description

Job Description

What if you could redefine what’s possible? With us, you can.

With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it.

The Opportunity

Shape What Comes Next

Bring your technical expertise and scientific reasoning to complex ecology projects across Ontario. As a Senior Technical Writing Ecologist, you’ll take a leading role in turning ecological data, policy requirements, field observations, and interdisciplinary insights into clear, defensible technical documentation that supports environmental approvals, impact assessments, monitoring programs, permitting, and informed project decisions.

You’ll work across land development, infrastructure, mining, energy, municipal, transportation, and natural heritage projects while helping strengthen technical quality and develop the next generation of ecology professionals.

Your Impact

• Lead the preparation of technical reports, environmental impact studies, natural heritage assessments, environmental assessment documentation, monitoring reports, permitting materials, technical memos, and client or agency correspondence.


• Integrate field observations, ecological data, mapping, analytical results, policy requirements, agency direction, and interdisciplinary inputs into clear conclusions and practical recommendations.


• Shape technical strategies for complex ecology programs, defining study objectives, methods, seasonal timing, data requirements, assumptions, limitations, and lines of evidence.


• Evaluate ecological sensitivities, potential project effects, mitigation measures, residual effects, cumulative considerations, uncertainty, and monitoring requirements.


• Guide complex deliverables through senior technical writing, review, response-to-comment development, and quality assurance while identifying data gaps and regulatory risks.


• Mentor junior and intermediate professionals in scientific reasoning, technical writing, data interpretation, field-to-report integration, and defensible documentation.


• Support proposals and project delivery by developing technical scopes, approaches, assumptions, schedules, effort estimates, risks, and documentation strategies.


• Represent ecology expertise in client, agency, Indigenous engagement, interdisciplinary project, and internal technical discussions, as appropriate.

The Skills That Set You Apart

• Degree or diploma in ecology, biology, environmental science, environmental studies, natural resource management, or a related discipline; a research-based graduate degree is a strong asset.


• Typically 8 to 12+ years of relevant ecology, environmental assessment, consulting, government, conservation authority, academic, or applied field biology experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Advanced technical writing and scientific reasoning skills, with demonstrated experience preparing, leading, or substantially reviewing complex ecological reports and supporting documentation.


• Strong knowledge of Ontario ecology and natural heritage planning, including applicable provincial and municipal policy frameworks and relevant environmental legislation.


• Experience developing or leading ecological studies, monitoring programs, constraints analyses, impact assessments, permitting support, or related work, with strong attention to data quality, uncertainty and defensible conclusions.


• Technical expertise in one or more areas such as species at risk, wetlands, wildlife, vegetation communities, aquatic or fish habitat, natural heritage impact assessment, ELC, OWES, BHA, arborist work, ecological monitoring, or environmental assessment.


• Sound technical judgement when working under general direction on highly complex assignments, including recognizing when additional data, senior review, regulatory discussion, client communication, or changes in technical approach are needed.


• Valid Ontario driver licence and ability to travel for site visits, meetings, and field work where required.

Why Choose WSP?

• Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.


• A global community of brilliant minds – your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.


• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it’s across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition — because your growth drives ours.


• Flexible work, real balance – we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

WeAreWSP

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $93,700 - $124,200

MB & ON: $85,500 - $117,800

NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $84,700 - $112,400

Disclosure

The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Make Your Mark

If you’re ready to turn complex ecological evidence into clear decisions that help shape responsible projects and resilient communities, bring your expertise to WSP. Join a collaborative team where your technical judgement, scientific curiosity, and ability to communicate what matters can make a lasting impact.

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity.

It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers.

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note: Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here . Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits). WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted. WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here .