Conservation Planning Biologist

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources including biodiversity, forests, geological resources, provincial parks and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.

About Our Opportunity

The Biologist 3 - Conservation Planning Biologist will lead the development of spatial biodiversity prioritization tools, for incorporation into local and landscape-level planning decisions for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Reporting to the Manager of Ecosystems & Habitats, the Conservation Planning Biologist will lead a project under the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement to better incorporate biodiversity data into natural resource planning decisions. The incumbent will help bring together various biodiversity data sources, lead stakeholder engagement sessions to understand biodiversity priorities and planning tools available; work with a GIS Analyst, Resource Scientists, and other staff to develop spatial planning layers for biodiversity prioritization; and develop guidance and policy for the incorporation of those layers into new and existing planning tools and frameworks. The incumbent will require exceptional relationship-building skills, creativity, and initiative to advance provincial-level biodiversity planning approaches in support of science-based natural resource management.

The Conservation Planning Biologist provides leadership as well as professional and expert technical advice to branch and regional staff, thereby ensuring effective implementation of new scientific approaches. The incumbent takes a leadership role in multidisciplinary projects involving department staff and/or collaboration with partners that may include federal/provincial government departments, first nations, universities, industry, and non-government organizations (NGOs).

The incumbent plays a key role in the development of provincial legislation, regulations and policy related to biodiversity/habitat/ecosystem conservation and sustainable use for Crown and private lands.

Primary Accountabilities

Leads development and implementation of provincial biodiversity spatial planning initiatives in support of provincial policy and strategy development and implementation. The planning process will use various data sources (wildlife population/community data, habitat and ecosystems data, climate and remote sensing data, etc), draw upon forested and non-forested ecosystem science initiatives, and incorporate modelling to assess biodiversity priorities for resource management decisions, strategies and scenarios.

Leads working groups, stakeholder engagement sessions, and other initiatives on ecosystems and wildlife response to temporal/spatial and biotic/abiotic conditions experienced at relevant scales under an ecosystem-based management paradigm. Will require interactions with other departments, government agencies, researchers, universities and consulting firms.

Provides strategic advice and makes recommendations on procedural adjustments and research to improve resource analysis capabilities, prepares ministerial briefing notes, and prepares documentation outlining resource issues related to analysis findings.

Provides advanced expertise in the development of wildlife population, habitat and ecosystem models requiring a strong understanding of population dynamics and ecological relationships within an ecosystem-based management framework. Facilitates the development of new and useful approaches to inform wildlife population, habitat and ecosystem management analysis by evaluating current practices and procedures and recommending changes.

Plays a central role in ensuring the provincial natural resource forecasting is informed by and based on biodiversity metrics including population, community, habitat and ecosystem metrics at local to landscape scales. The incumbent will be required to collaborate with a team of specialists in growth and yield, forest modelling, forest inventory & forest ecosystems for support and to set direction on the development of integrated forest management planning tools.

Engage in regional, national and international management programs and research initiatives pertaining to conservation and sustainable use of natural resources by information/data sharing, participation and leadership on various boards, committees, working groups and conferences/workshops within and outside of Nova Scotia.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a Bachelor of Science along with 6 years of related experience, a Master of Science along with 4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

As the ideal candidate, you possess exceptional communication (written and verbal) as well as relationship building skills to work with various stakeholders within and outside of government. You are comfortable working under minimal supervision but also collaboratively with other stakeholders to develop and deliver programs and projects. Demonstrated project leadership and public communication skills are essential.

As the ideal candidate you have previous experience providing advanced professional and technical advice, recommendations, and solutions for the conservation and sustainable use of Crown and private lands; critically reviewing programs, policy, regulations and legislation on an ongoing basis, and developing more effective means to achieve sustainable natural resource management.

You have a demonstrated history of making decisions within the framework of professional standards, scientific knowledge and principles, legislation, and regulations. You keep up to date of developments in the field of wildlife habitat and ecosystems ecology and management and conceive, plan, and undertake focused applied research to address identified gaps in knowledge.

You have a demonstrated ability to undertake collaborative projects with government agencies, Universities, NGOs and other organizations.

You have experience in experimental design and analysis related to wildlife habitat and ecosystems ecology. This includes a demonstrated ability to initiate, formulate, design and undertake complex innovative research with minimal direction and supervision, often under stringent time and budgetary constraints. Experience conducting GIS analyses and statistical analyses in R or equivalent statistical analysis software is an asset.

You apply creative and critical thinking to seek innovative solutions that provide multiple and demonstrated benefits to diverse stakeholders and the public by using approaches that are socially and environmentally acceptable.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

A PhD in a field related to this position is considered equivalent experience. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

The Resource Scientist divides their time between an office and field environment. Field work is often conducted in remote locations and can involve unavoidable hazards including travel (by car, boat, OHV or aircraft) in poor weather conditions.

Additional Information

This is a two-year term with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2026. However, the position Term is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career. Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies. Countless career paths. Department Specific Flexible working schedules. Pay Grade: PR 15 Salary Range: $2,;- $3,;Bi-Weekly

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