Senior Wildlife Biologist

Canacre; Calgary; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental

RRSP matching

Disability insurance

Flexible schedule

Employee assistance

Job summary

Canacre is seeking a Senior Wildlife Biologist to lead wildlife resources expertise across Canada, focusing on energy sector projects. You will conduct desktop reviews, regulate guidance, oversee field surveys, and develop mitigation plans for regulatory approvals and permitting.

The role requires 10+ years in wildlife biology, strong field leadership, and experience with ESRI tools, with collaboration across contractors, regulators, landowners and clients.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Professional designation with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists or BC College of Applied Biologists.

Responsibilities

• Lead wildlife field surveys and habitat assessments across Canada.
• Oversee regulatory permit applications and desktop assessments.
• Provide mitigation and monitoring recommendations during construction.
• Prepare Wildlife Reports and support Environmental Assessments.
• Engage with regulators, landowners, Indigenous communities and clients.

Skills

Wildlife regulation knowledge

Bird identification

Regulatory approvals

Report writing

Stakeholder communication

Canada projects

Data analysis

Education

Biology or Environmental Science degree

Professional designation with ABP/ABPB (Alberta Society of Professional Biologists)

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Survey123

Field Maps

Job description

Canacre’s core services focus on leadership in Environment and Land services throughout the project lifecycle. At Canacre, we emphasize continuous development and growth. Our commitment to investing in industry knowledge and the expertise of our teams sets us apart. Our goals are to provide technical leadership for greater regulatory understanding and certainty and to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders, mitigating tomorrow’s environment, land and right-of-way risks today.

At Canacre, we act with honesty and integrity within a culture where trust, collaboration, and teamwork flourish. We commit to diversity, inclusivity and the celebration of successes. Our vision is to foster an environment that promotes inspired and empowered team members who make an impact.

The Senior Wildlife Biologist will act as an expert in wildlife resources in Canada, with the ability to support projects in various jurisdiction across the country. The Senior Wildlife Biologist will primarily be responsible for completing desktop reviews, providing regulatory guidance, overseeing field-based wildlife surveys, report writing, developing mitigation and permitting related to the conservation and management of wildlife resources. The role includes all phases of Project work from routing and siting, through assessment, construction, and post-construction support. This position will focus primarily on projects within the Energy Sector, including transmission, oil and gas, and renewables.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee various wildlife related field surveys, including protocol-level surveys, wildlife habitat assessments, and targeted species at risk surveys.
• Lead wildlife related field programs during construction, such as migratory bird nest sweeps and amphibian salvages, including providing recommendations on mitigation and monitoring during activities within buffers.
• Lead wildlife scopes related to Environmental Assessments, permit applications, management plans, and desktop constraints analysis.
• Provide mitigation and best management practices to minimize impacts to wildlife during construction activities.
• Oversee general Environmental Monitoring activities during construction.
• Prepare required permit applications related to wildlife resources.
• Prepare Wildlife Reports to support overall Environmental Assessment and other regulatory applications.
• Provide strategic guidance on wildlife management, regulatory approvals, and wildlife assessments.
• Support proposal preparation, including technical scope and cost estimate development.
• Provide technical leadership of multiple projects ensuring quality and accuracy of reports and project deliverables.
• Support other biophysical field assessments (e.g., wetlands, vegetation, aquatics, etc.), when required.
• Consult and communicate with contractors, subcontractors, regulators, landowners, Indigenous communities and clients, as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education:

• Post-secondary degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field of study.
• Professional designation with the BC College of Applied Biologists or with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists.

Experience

• 10+ years of professional experience as a biologist, specializing in wildlife biology, or related role.
• Experience leading wildlife field surveys in remote settings, reviewing of field data and coordinating with various field teams.
• Experience conducting Environmental Assessments for federal and provincially regulated projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading wildlife-related field studies and implementing species-specific survey methodologies throughout Canada.
• Experience with ESRI products, such as ArcGIS Pro, Survey 123 and Field Maps would be an asset.
• Experience related to pipeline, transmission line and renewable energy construction would be an asset.
• Experience and knowledge related to other biophysical disciplines, such as wetlands, vegetation, aquatics, etc. would be an asset

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of provincial and federal wildlife legislation and regulations, including but not limited to the Wildlife Act, Species at Risk Act, Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions, and the Migratory Bird Convention Act.
• Strong working knowledge of wildlife regulations and best management practices.
• Knowledge of species-specific inventory and various wildlife survey methodologies.
• Strong bird identification skills (visual and auditory).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills – data collection and interpretation, technical report writing, regulatory permit applications, client communications, etc.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, prioritizing and decision-making skills.
• Ability to build strong, lasting relationships with key stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Valid Driver’s License, with ability to maintain insurability under the company’s insurance carrier.

At Canacre, our benefits program is one of the ways in which we reinforce the value we place on employees and the role they play in helping us achieve our goals. Canacre offers comprehensive health and dental coverage, paid time off, and disability insurance. Other benefits include a RRSP employer matching program, Employee Assistance Program, flexible work arrangement and a variety of wellness programs.

Canacre is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Canacre complies with federal and state/provincial law governing non-discrimination in employment practices.

At Canacre, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of employment practices in each jurisdiction we operate in. We ensure that all employees are fairly compensated for their work, in accordance with the provisions outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Canada Labour Code.

We use automated tools to screen applications. All hiring decisions involve review by the Hiring Manager. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $150,000