Aquatic Ecologist and Environmental Monitor - Kitchener, Canada - AECOM

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.

Key roles for the position include:

• 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.

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

About AECOM

AECOM is the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We're the world's trusted global infrastructure firm, and we're in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you'll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.