Senior Wetland Biologist

Job Description:

Primary duties may include:

1. Complete and direct various tasks related to wetland desktop and field delineations, classifications, impact assessment, mitigation plan development, permitting, and restoration monitoring.
2. Completion of Wetland Assessment and Impact Reports (WAIR).
3. Completion of Wetland Assessment and Impact Forms (WAIF).
4. Perform fieldwork using the ABWRET-A Tool and desktop assessments for ABWRET‑D.
5. Promote WEST’s core values of quality client service and a collaborative team approach while maintaining a positive and respectful work atmosphere.
6. Summarizing and entering data.
7. Mentoring, training, and supervising junior and intermediate staff members.
8. Providing reporting support as needed: compiling tables and figures, report writing.
9. Assisting on other reports, surveys, and field work (e.g. wildlife, soils, watercourse), as needed.
10. Project Management for a portfolio of clients and projects.
11. Design and implement scientific consulting solutions for clients.
12. Write reports, applying scientific expertise to present and interpret the results of field and desktop studies in their scientific and regulatory context.
13. Communicate with clients regarding their needs.
14. Conduct day-to-day administration of projects.
15. Work with field staff in the execution of field studies and field coordination.
16. Prepare proposals for project work.
17. Provide quality assurance of data.
18. May assist in conducting vegetation, soils, watercourse, and wildlife surveys.

This position consists of 25% fieldwork and 75% office work seasonally, with travel between the field and the Calgary office. The ratio of field to office work is negotiable.

Fieldwork will require long days (8-12 hours) in a range of temperature extremes and wind speeds. Candidates must be comfortable with hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., driving a four-wheel drive vehicle, dust, mud, snow, extreme heat, cold, working around cattle).

Fieldwork can also occur in remote locations, which will require candidates to be comfortable and able to work and operate vehicles in rugged, steep terrain within areas with large carnivores. Lastly, fieldwork often occurs in areas with little to no cellphone signal. Candidates must be comfortable using satellite and radio devices for regular communication.

Staff may work independently or in small crews and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with site management and WEST supervisors.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position.

Job Requirements:

1. Legally allowed to work in Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or have an existing VISA with no work restrictions). Please note: US citizens require a Canadian work visa to work in Canada.
2. A completed bachelor’s degree or higher in the biological sciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline, and at least 10+ years of relevant experience.
3. Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions.
4. Wetland classification skills in boreal, parkland, and prairie habitats.
5. Experience with Esri ArcGIS Pro and Desktop Suite, and/or QGIS and/or Google Earth.
6. Ability to work long days (up to 12 hours) in the field and sometimes long shifts (up to 24 days).
7. Ability to hike in rugged, steep terrain for long periods of time.
8. Capacity to work independently and interact positively with project managers, supervisors, clients, field partners, and landowners.
9. Excellent time management and organizational skills.
10. Ability to work well under time constraints and meet deliverable targets and deadlines.
11. Highly-developed ability to follow protocols and work efficiently in the field and office.
12. Ability to think critically to solve challenging problems.
13. Wetland practitioner status or immediately eligible P. Biol. or BIT (or other PRO-10) designation or immediately eligible.

Other Desired Skills:

1. Experience conducting wildlife surveys, water quality monitoring, or fisheries.
2. Experience with soils and/or vegetation surveys.

Successful candidates must be able to provide a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. Successful candidates must also be able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients. Candidates must be capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements outlined by WEST and our clients for the duration of their employment.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, family status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law.

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Salary Grade: Exemption Type

Application Deadline: