Intermediate Biologist

Overview/Responsibilities

WSP Canada Limited is currently seeking an Intermediate Biologist (Avian Ecology) 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 applications 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 and leading field-based ecological surveys, managing small-scale projects and authoring technical reports.

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

A day in the life:

• As an Intermediate Biologist/Scientist you will manage small- to medium-size 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 avian and terrestrial habitats, including aquatics and wetlands;
• Independently lead avian 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 three to five (3-5) years relevant experience conducting avian ecological studies;
• Experience or training in some or all of the following:
  • Bird species identification (e.g., visual and acoustic)
  • Bird Ecology
  • Breeding bird count surveys, migration surveys, and nesting surveys;
  • Bird detection (e.g., tracking, radar, acoustic)
  • Planning and undertaking ecological field assessments
  • 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.
• You want to experience what it’s like to work for the leading environmental consulting firm globally and be part of a growing and thriving team

Asset Qualifications:

• Experience with conducting avian surveys and species identification avian detection technologies (e.g., IR, radar, acoustic); 
• Experience with environmental assessment
• Experience with boating and trailering;
• Pleasure Craft Operator / Small Vessel Operator Proficiency certification;
• 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.

Company Overview

WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering professional services firms, with 65,000 staff, based in more than 500 offices, across 40 countries, including a strong local presence in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a single-source provider of both technical and advisory services, WSP helps its clients reduce risk while saving time and resources. Globally, WSP has been active in providing environmental, engineering and advisory services to the wind power industry for over 20 years. Our expertise spans strategic and project services support, regulatory roadmaps and permitting, environmental assessment, onshore and offshore geotechnics and geophysics, distribution networks, onshore civils and structures, quality services, and health and safety. Atlantic WSP offices have senior staff members with extensive experience and highly specialized expertise related to projects in nearshore and offshore environments. A particular strength in this context are the comprehensive EA and environmental services that have been successfully provided for many years to onshore wind clients in the Maritimes and to the industrial clients throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes a wide range of baseline environmental characterization, environmental monitoring, data analyses and EAs (project, strategic).