Senior Biologist (Aquatic Biology)

WSP Canada Limited is currently seeking an Intermediate to Senior level Biologist (Freshwater Aquatics Biology) to join our team in St. John's, NL. You will join our Natural Science team and will be integral in providing office and field-based support for our ongoing environmental projects, ranging from stand-alone environmental permitting and monitoring programs to Environmental Assessments for more complex multi-disciplinary projects.

The position involves working in a close-knit team of dedicated professionals and encompasses both field and office-based duties; these will include planning, coordinating and leading field-based ecological surveys, managing projects and authoring technical reports.

The position is to be staffed in St. John's, NL, with potential for work locations throughout the other Atlantic provinces.

A day in the life :

• As an Intermediate to Senior level Biologist / Scientist you will manage environmental permitting and monitoring projects, including communications with clients and regulators, from inception to completion;
• Assist experienced project managers / leads in the management of more complex environmental impact assessments, permitting and monitoring programs;
• Assist with the design and implementation of project workplans with a focus on aquatic and terrestrial habitats;
• Independently lead field programs, as well as support aquatic and terrestrial fieldwork programs across the Atlantic region, involving the completion of environmental baseline surveys and / or assessments.
• Analyse, evaluate and interpret ecological data and prepare high quality technical reports, permitting applications, environmental impact assessments and other associated documents;
• Support and provide technical advice to other WSP disciplines (e.g. Infrastructure, Transport and Planning) on ecology-related, project-specific tasks;
• Participate in, and comply with, company Health and Safety policies and programs;

What you'll bring to WSP :

• A university degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology or a related discipline with at least five to seven years of relevant experience, preference will be given to applicants with experience freshwater aquatic science experience (i.e., fish and fish habitat)
• Independently lead aquatic field programs, as well as support terrestrial fieldwork programs across the Atlantic region, involving the completion of environmental baseline surveys and / or assessments, for example

Fish and fish habitat surveys

• Benthic invertebrate and fish sampling
• Water and sediment sampling and in situ monitoring
• Wetland surveys
• Species at Risk (SAR) surveys
• Terrestrial wildlife and habitat surveys
• Botanical inventories
• Experience or training in the use of off-road vehicles (AWDs, ATVs etc.) and small boats
• Excellent communication and written skills with a demonstrated ability to write detailed technical reports and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues;
• Strong awareness of health and safety issues, a safety-conscious attitude, and excellent team-working and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel, including to remote locations and outside standard office hours, including overnight stays.

Asset Qualifications :

• Experience with boating and trailering;
• Pleasure Craft Operator / Small Vessel Operator Proficiency certification;
• Experience with environmental assessment;
• Experience in statistics and modelling in R
• First Aid certification;
• Fluent in the use of standard Microsoft Office software including Excel and Word.

Compensation and Benefits

WSP will offer a competitive salary based on the successful candidates experience and knowledge. Standard work weeks will be 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday. Overtime, weekend, and remote work may be required on a project specific basis.

Please Note :

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations.

Offers of employment for safety-sensitive positions involving fieldwork are contingent upon candidates being able to perform key physical tasks of the job as described in the job posting and interview. This may include the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.