Senior Ecologist

at  AECOM

WORK WITH US. CHANGE THE WORLD.

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM is hiring an Ecologist to join our team! The position may be based out of any of the following offices: Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Mississauga, Barrie, Sudbury or Markham office.
The successful candidate will have at least 8 years of relevant and progressive experience, be highly motivated and enjoy working on a diversity of projects, is an effective communicator and is committed to producing high-quality work.
The position will involve working with project managers and ecology staff to provide support on variety of projects including baseline studies, environmental impact assessments, conservation and reclamation plans, species at risk permitting and mitigation plans and related scopes of work.

Key responsibilities for the position include:

• Generally requires multi-disciplinary knowledge.
• Makes recommendations on work methods and procedures and technical innovations by devising practical and economical solutions to problems in own discipline.
• Makes recommendations on research requests, objectives, priorities, and timing.
• Assess need for change and recommends development of standards.
• Assess work against standards, objectives and specifications.
• Utilizes advanced scientific principles, theories, practices and existing technologies when working on unusually complex technical problems.
• Interprets and records data, conducts analyses, compares findings to relevant studies and local, state, and federal regulations to ensure compliance.
• Develops solutions which are highly innovative. Assignments are often self-initiated. Acts as advisor to management and clients.
• Oversee, coordinate and/or conduct biological surveys and provide technical support in vegetation, wetland and/or wildlife ecology.
• Supervise and mentor intermediate and junior staff through on-the-job training and project work.
• Effectively manage and coordinate projects as a technical lead or project manager.
• Plan, schedule, and organize all phases of a major project work activities related to scientific needs, ensures proper manpower budgets and controls and monitors expenditures and progress on projects.
• Develops technical solutions to complex problems which require regular use of scientific principles and application of past experience.
• Write and deliver high quality reports, which may include: field reports; permit applications; compensation plans; sustainability/restoration plans; environmental impact assessments; land/watershed plans; management plans.
• Quality control of data analysis and reports and a commitment to technical excellence. Primary author or lead reviewer on major project documents.
• Work collaboratively between different offices and groups;
• Identify emerging markets and business opportunities with existing and new clients.
• Develop appropriate marketing materials and strategies.
• Write effective proposals.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field; and
• At least 8 years of relevant experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10 years + of relevant experience
• Knowledge and experience identifying flora and plant communities, including taxonomy and species identification.
• Demonstrated experience identifying fauna of Ontario (e.g. birds, amphibians, snakes, turtles, mammals including bats, insects, etc.).
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as in a team
• Data entry and report writing.
• Valid Driver’s License required to visit project sites, clients, and other AECOM offices.
• Certified in Ontario Wetland Evaluation System.
• Certified in Ecological Land Classification.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting wildlife habitat requirements and preparing effective compensation plans.
• Experience preparing technical reports such as Environmental Impact Assessments, Baseline surveys and Conservation and Reclamation Plans including Species at Risk Mitigation Plans.
• Additional field experience such as water quality sampling or fishing surveys are an asset.
• Project management experience is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience with federal and provincial acts, regulations, policies and guidelines in particular, Endangered Species Act and/or Species at Risk Act.
• Experience with air photo interpretation (hard/soft copy), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and map and compass orientation.
• 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.
• Valid Standard First Aid + CPR.
  Additional Information

• Generally requires multi-disciplinary knowledge.
• Makes recommendations on work methods and procedures and technical innovations by devising practical and economical solutions to problems in own discipline.
• Makes recommendations on research requests, objectives, priorities, and timing.
• Assess need for change and recommends development of standards.
• Assess work against standards, objectives and specifications.
• Utilizes advanced scientific principles, theories, practices and existing technologies when working on unusually complex technical problems.
• Interprets and records data, conducts analyses, compares findings to relevant studies and local, state, and federal regulations to ensure compliance.
• Develops solutions which are highly innovative. Assignments are often self-initiated. Acts as advisor to management and clients.
• Oversee, coordinate and/or conduct biological surveys and provide technical support in vegetation, wetland and/or wildlife ecology.
• Supervise and mentor intermediate and junior staff through on-the-job training and project work.
• Effectively manage and coordinate projects as a technical lead or project manager.
• Plan, schedule, and organize all phases of a major project work activities related to scientific needs, ensures proper manpower budgets and controls and monitors expenditures and progress on projects.
• Develops technical solutions to complex problems which require regular use of scientific principles and application of past experience.
• Write and deliver high quality reports, which may include: field reports; permit applications; compensation plans; sustainability/restoration plans; environmental impact assessments; land/watershed plans; management plans.
• Quality control of data analysis and reports and a commitment to technical excellence. Primary author or lead reviewer on major project documents.
• Work collaboratively between different offices and groups;
• Identify emerging markets and business opportunities with existing and new clients.
• Develop appropriate marketing materials and strategies.
• Write effective proposals