Fisheries Biologist

at  LEA Group

WHY JOIN LEA?

LEA is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm, with a history of 70 years. We provide engineering consulting services in the areas of Transportation, Civil, Structures, Construction Administration, Electrical and Infrastructure Systems, and Environmental Management.
LEA’s Environmental Sector was formed in 2019 and has grown steadily since its inception. Growth to date reflects our increase in the market share and the growing number of environmental professionals. Service offerings focus on Environmental Management during design and construction, environmental planning, ecology/biology and compliance oversight monitoring.
At LEA, we strive towards a common goal, which is self-realization and achieving the highest possible results. The company is fully owned by its employees and everyone’s collective efforts directly contribute to the firm’s longstanding success.

We’re confident that by Joining LEA, you can discover and realize your full career potential because LEA:

• Recruits high-performing, motivated individuals who strive to achieve the highest level of technical excellence and quality.
• Is an Employee-owned company and almost half of our employees are shareholders.
• Offers a competitive total compensation package of salary, substantial bonuses, benefits and other perks.
• Is continuously involved in many exciting and challenging projects throughout Ontario and around the world.
• Allows for a collaborative hybrid work environment with flexible hours to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Cultivates team camaraderie and collaboration, offering a variety of social events aimed at fostering relationships across the company including sports leagues, game nights, special events, and volunteer/charitable opportunities.
• Is an organization that is committed to achieving our Environmental, Social & Governance objectives through our various committees.
• Prioritizes mentorship, training, and rotational assignments for knowledge advancement and career growth.
• Has an entrepreneurial spirit as an employee-owned company, with continuous growth and expansion taking part in meaningful projects.

In this role, your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Conduct aquatic ecosystem studies to support a variety of projects and EA studies including electrofishing, seining, timed searches, fish and mussel identification, and documenting habitat features.
• Assist in the collection, management, and organization of field data while ensuring compliance with LEA’s Quality Control standards.
• Conduct reviews and analyses of available background information on aquatic ecosystems to support the projects.
• Prepare, draft, and refine technical reports and documentation required for project deliverables.
• Assist in the preparation of technical reports/documents as required to support the project.
• Support the preparation and submission of regulatory permit and approval applications.
• Undertake Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) compliance monitoring and fish salvages during active construction.
• Liaise as required with other technical team staff.
• Assist with other environmental field surveys as required.
• Continuously grow professional skills and knowledge through training sessions, seminars, workshops, and involvement in professional associations to stay updated on the latest trends, software, and technology.
• Perform other assigned Environmental and Contract Administration construction inspection duties as required.

The qualifications you need:

• University degree in biology/ecology/environmental sciences or related studies.
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience conducting aquatic ecosystem studies.
• Proficient technical writing skills.
• Knowledge and familiarity with: Fisheries Act, Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), Species at Risk Act (SARA), and other relevant provincial and federal environmental legislation.
• Fish and mussel identification skills are considered an asset.
• Experience completing environmental compliance or ESC inspections, and/or fish salvages on construction sites is an asset.
• Experience conducting data collection with ArcGIS field apps (Field Maps, Survey123, Collector) is an asset.

WHAT IS THE ROLE?

LEA is seeking a Fisheries Biologist to join our Environmental Team. Successful applicants must be motivated, able to work independently and have excellent organizational and communication skills. Applicants must also have a university degree in biology/ecology/environmental sciences or a related field and a minimum of 1-2 years of relevant experience. Tasks to be undertaken include assisting in the completion of baseline field surveys to inventory fish and mussel species, characterize fish and mussel habitat, and preparation of technical reports to document the findings of field surveys. The successful applicant will also undertake compliance monitoring of environmental mitigation measures on large-scale transportation and infrastructure construction projects. The applicant will be required to work with minimal supervision and travel to various project sites across the province.

In this role, your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Conduct aquatic ecosystem studies to support a variety of projects and EA studies including electrofishing, seining, timed searches, fish and mussel identification, and documenting habitat features.
• Assist in the collection, management, and organization of field data while ensuring compliance with LEA’s Quality Control standards.
• Conduct reviews and analyses of available background information on aquatic ecosystems to support the projects.
• Prepare, draft, and refine technical reports and documentation required for project deliverables.
• Assist in the preparation of technical reports/documents as required to support the project.
• Support the preparation and submission of regulatory permit and approval applications.
• Undertake Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) compliance monitoring and fish salvages during active construction.
• Liaise as required with other technical team staff.
• Assist with other environmental field surveys as required.
• Continuously grow professional skills and knowledge through training sessions, seminars, workshops, and involvement in professional associations to stay updated on the latest trends, software, and technology.
• Perform other assigned Environmental and Contract Administration construction inspection duties as required