Sr. Ecologist

Terrastory Environmental Consulting Inc.; Guelph; Remote; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental consulting firm is seeking a Senior Ecologist to join their team remotely, with occasional travel for fieldwork. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience, a relevant Bachelor's degree, and strong project management skills. This role includes preparing technical reports and conducting ecological surveys across Ontario. The firm offers competitive salary, benefits, and a flexible work environment.

Benefits

Professional development allowance

Employer-paid benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Sick days

Vacation

Qualifications

• 8–10 years’ experience in a similar position required.
• Thorough knowledge of development regulations in Ontario.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a private vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review technical reports and permit applications.
• Communicate with clients and regulatory agencies.
• Conduct fieldwork and ecological surveys across Ontario.

Skills

Project management

Technical analysis

Interpersonal communication

Critical thinking

Fieldwork experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, or related discipline

Tools

GIS (QGIS)

Ecological Land Classification (ELC)

Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES)

Job description

Overview

Location: Work-from-home with some travel to job sites (Greater Golden Horseshoe preferred, other Ontario locations may be considered).

Work Week: 32 hours (Jan. – March) - 40 hours (April – December), with time banking after 40 hours.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or a related discipline.

Application Deadline: 25 September 2025.

Terrastory Environmental Consulting Inc. (founded 2018) is a policy-oriented client-focused environmental consulting firm specializing in a wide range of natural heritage and arborist studies. Operating across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, southwestern Ontario, southern shield and beyond, Terrastory supports diverse projects and applications including land development, aggregates, municipal infrastructure, natural areas / park / public space design, and renewable energy. We also assist public sector and non-profit clients with unique and diverse interests.

Terrastory offers a challenging and balanced work environment with the potential for growth as well as flexible work arrangements (including a reduced work week), an above-average professional development allowance, employer paid benefits, group RRSP contributions, and competitive salary, annual bonus, sick days, and vacation. Salary is negotiable and will be commensurate with experience and capability.

We are currently seeking a Senior (or highly skilled Intermediate) Ecologist to service our ongoing growth.

This position offers a high degree of autonomy and entails the following broad responsibilities :

• Preparing and reviewing technical reports (e.g., EIS, NHE, NER, constraints assessments, etc.) and permit applications (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Fisheries Act, etc.), with a commitment to project quality and client service.
• Corresponding with clients and regulatory agencies on a regular basis.
• Project budgeting, invoicing, scheduling, and evaluation.
• Contributing to various business-related tasks on an as-needed basis.
• Undertaking fieldwork and ecological surveys for a variety of taxa across southern / central Ontario using established protocols.

The successful candidate will possess the following :

• At least 8 – 10 years’ experience in a similar position.
• Thorough knowledge of the legislative and regulatory context directing development activities in southern / central Ontario (e.g., Provincial Planning Statement, Municipal Official Plans, Conservation Authorities Act, Endangered Species Act, Fisheries Act, Aggregate Resources Act, Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, Niagara Escarpment Plan, Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, etc.).
• Thorough technical analysis and writing skills.
• Strong project management, organization, critical thinking, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Experience interfacing with private and public-sector clients as well as colleagues from multiple disciplines (e.g., engineers, landscape architects, planners, etc.).
• Ability to work remotely (e.g., home office).
• Ability to work safely.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable access to a private vehicle.

The successful candidate will possess most (though not necessarily all) of the following certifications and / or skill sets :

• Ecological Land Classification (ELC) demonstrated ability to conduct three-season vascular plant surveys in southern / central Ontario.
• Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) demonstrated ability to distinguish between obligate and facultative wetland / upland plants in southern / central Ontario.
• ISA-certified Arborist.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct breeding bird surveys in southern / central Ontario.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct anuran calling surveys in southern / central Ontario.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare mapping deliverables in GIS (particularly QGIS).

The following certifications and / or skill sets are assets and also considered desirable :

• Experience with OMB / LPAT / OLT.
• Experience with public engagement.
• Experience with Indigenous consultation.
• Butternut Health Assessment (BHA) certification and / or experience.
• Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct fisheries surveys (e.g., backpack electrofishing, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct visual encounter surveys for herpetofauna (e.g., Survey Protocol for Blanding’s Turtle, etc.) in southern / central Ontario.
• Experience preparing restoration / planting plans for a variety of habitat types.
• Experience with deploying ultrasonic acoustic monitoring units for bats and assigning spectrograms to species-level.
• Experience with survey / inventory techniques for other taxa in southern / central Ontario (Odonata, butterflies, moths, salamanders, mussels, bryophytes, lichens, etc.).

Working at Terrastory might be right for you if :

• You thrive in a small-company environment and enjoy leading and contributing to all facets of project delivery and business development, including proposal writing, fieldwork, GIS mapping, reporting, and project management.
• You balance detail-orientation with big picture thinking.
• You are committed to client-centred service.
• You are focused on improving processes, procedures, and workflows.
• You consider yourself a naturalist with broad interests in the biophysical world.
• You have a curious mind and relentlessly pursue the best available information.
• You are comfortable with undertaking fieldwork under varying conditions (always within safe and reasonable limits), including remote field sites, working alone, and inclement weather.
• You are comfortable completing ecological surveys and collecting field data via tablet.
• You enjoy permanently working from home (when not in the field) with the occasional (rare) overnight stay near a project site and opportunities for in-person co-working days.

Interested candidates should send their brief cover letter (one page max.) and resume / CV demonstrating how their skills and experiences reflect this career posting to [e-mail] with the subject line “Senior Ecologist Position”. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Terrastory welcomes and promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities consistent with being able to fulfill the requirements of the position. Candidates requiring accommodations during the selection process are encouraged to self-identify.

Please note Terrastory is not currently accepting third-party applications.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Terrastory is not responsible for referral bonuses. This posting includes typical information about the job content and requirements and is not a guarantee of compensation or employment status.

Note: This posting has been reformatted for clarity and accessibility.