Aquatic Ecologist and Environmental Monitor

at  AECOM

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Job Description
The Ontario Ecology team at AECOM is looking for a new team member for the position of Aquatic Ecologist and Environmental Monitor to support our existing activities and to grow our capacity to serve clients on challenging and exciting projects across the province.
The successful candidate will have 4-6 years of experience, be highly motivated, enjoy working collaboratively with complementary technical disciplines on a wide range of projects (e.g. transportation, renewable energy, infrastructure, etc.), is an effective communicator and is committed to producing high quality work in a timely fashion.
Individuals should have a strong background conducting biological inventories, including aquatic habitat assessments, fish community sampling using a variety of capture gear, freshwater fish identification including Species at Risk and invasive species, environmental impact assessments and associated reporting. Writing and interpersonal communication skills must be high quality. Organizational skills and an ability to work well on multi-disciplinary teams in a fast paced environment are essential qualities.
The position will involve working with project managers to provide support on environmental investigations including baseline studies, environmental impact assessments, Species at Risk permitting and mitigation plans and related scopes of work. The ability to coordinate ecology projects and ecology components of larger projects will be key to this position.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in environmental science or biology, from a recognized University or College and a minimum of 4 years of Ontario environmental consulting experience required.
• Valid RAQS registration for Fisheries Assessment Specialist. Other RAQS registrations are an asset (e.g. Fisheries Compliance During Construction).
• Valid MTO/DFO/OMNR Fisheries Protocol Training.
• Valid, Class I or Class II Electrofishing Training; Royal Ontario Museum Fish Identification Training.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience applying DFO’s Risk Management Framework.
• Knowledge and experience identifying freshwater fishes of Ontario and ability to field-distinguish cyprinids, salmonids, sportfish, aquatic Species at Risk and invasive species
• Demonstrated experience conducting field work in southern and northern Ontario.
• Demonstrated experience identifying aquatic habitat restoration opportunities and preparing effective offsetting (e.g. compensation) plans;
• Experience preparing technical reports such as Environmental Impact Assessments, MTO Fisheries reports, HADD authorizations and offsetting plans;
• Knowledge and experience with federal and provincial acts, regulations, policies and guidelines in particular, Fisheries Act, Endangered Species Act, Species at Risk Act, Conservation Authorities Act, Planning Act, Aggregates Act
• Experience with air photo interpretation (hard/soft copy), Global Positioning Systems, and map and compass orientation;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS);
• Proficiency in use of various research tools, strong ability to write scientifically, and capability to organize and communicate with peers, managers and clients;
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently;
• Ability to work in both field and office environments;
• Valid Ontario Drivers License;

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 6+ years of environmental consulting experience
• Knowledge and experience conducting benthic macroinvertebrate data collection and interpretation; knowledge and experience conducting surface water quality sampling, sample submission, and data interpretation.
• Additional field experience in terrestrial ecology (e.g. avian, botanical, amphibian, or wildlife) is an asset.
• Valid First Aid + CPR.
• Pleasure Craft Operator Certification
  Additional Information

• Coordinating and performing field investigations to document baseline conditions according to study requirements in urban and remote sites;
• Conducting fisheries and aquatic habitat assessments including habitat mapping, fish capture, and identification of habitat restoration opportunities;
• Working collaboratively with AECOM’s fluvial geomorphologists, hydrologists, terrestrial ecologists, and hydrogeologists to integrate study results with complementary technical disciplines;
• Conducting aquatic Species at Risk habitat assessments and species-specific surveys when required;
• Maintaining effective communication with clients and staff;
• Supervising and organizing field crews;
• Adhering to and enforcing AECOM’s Health and Safety Protocols;
• Writing effective reports in a scientific style.
  Qualifications