Junior Terrestrial Ecologist

POSITION DESCRIPTION

WSP is currently seeking a Junior Aquatic Ecologist with a specialty in fish community and aquatic habitat assessment to join our ecology department. Reporting to the Ecology Team Lead, the successful candidate will be provided with the opportunity to work on challenging and diverse projects with a wide range of complexity as an Ecologist, supporting Project Managers and Senior staff on a variety of assignments. Candidates with a background knowledge of fish identification and habitat assessment are preferred, however experience field investigations and data management/analysis, as well as familiarity with water quality, sediment quality, and benthic invertebrates or freshwater mussel sampling is also valued for this position.

This position is anticipated to start in April 2022 as a 6-months contract with the opportunity to be extended or transitioned into full-time employment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Gain experience in field sampling techniques and protocols to inventory and assess aquatic ecosystems with an emphasis on interrelationships between the physical and biological environments.
• Undertake aquatic field investigations, including, but not limited to:
  • Detailed aquatic habitat inventories using acceptable protocols (i.e., MTO Fish Guide, OSAP);
  • Fish community sampling using various capture and handling methods (e.g. Backpack electrofishing, seine net, etc.) and identification;
  • Targeted Species at Risk habitat assessments, screenings and documentation
  • Spawning assessments for a variety of Ontario freshwater species
  • Benthic invertebrate, water and sediment quality assessments following OBBN, CABIN or EEM methodology
  • Passive freshwater mussel assessments, and potential mussel relocations following DFO and MNRF guidelines
  • Available to be a second person on site for various other field investigations for terrestrial and wildlife components (i.e., bat acoustic monitoring, amphibian calling, etc.).
• Plan, organize, collect and analyze field work programs including conducting inventories, data organization and management.
• Traveling, with the potential to planned “away” field trips that require field logistics such as travel lodging and equipment booking and shipping;
• Gain working knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal legislation related to protection of aquatic environment features and functions as well as overall environmental policies;
• Contribute to environmental assessments, environmental impact studies and monitoring;
• Complete minor permitting requirements (MNDMNRF Licence to Collect Fish) and assist with provincial and federal permitting (DFO Request for Review, ESA Information Gathering Form)
• Acquire skills through mentoring to be able to provide technical input to engineering teams for design requirements specific to aquatic species and habitats (e.g. Bridge or culvert design);
• Contribute to the preparation of project proposals and assist with marketing initiatives;
• Perform aerial photography interpretation and correspondence documentation requesting background information from relevant agencies and stakeholders;
• Administrative support including: printing, filing, equipment maintenance/inventory, shipping/receiving
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Studies and/or other similar field, with a strong background in aquatic ecology;
• 1+ years’ related experience in aquatic ecology;
• Excellent report writing, presentation and research skills, and be able to work in a team environment;
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact with senior level staff and clients;
• Excellent data analysis and management skills
• Experience with MS Word and Excel is a minimum requirement.
• Willingness to work in the field, in remote locations (and for days to weeks at a time) and outside standard office hours
• Class G Ontario driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required
• Current First Aid certification is an asset
• Certification in Fish Identification and Class 2 Backpack Electrofishing are also an asset.
• ATV and Pleasure Craft Boat Operators training are also an asset.