Ecologist

**Reports to**:Business Lead or Project Manager on a project basis
**Supervised by**:Operations Manager or Delegate
**Salary range**: Competitive, commensurate with experience
**Position start date**: ASAP
**Location**: Firelight is currently supporting remote work from home. The successful applicant may also wish to work from one of our office locations (Victoria, West Vancouver, Vancouver, Edmonton, or Toronto).

The ecology researcher role will support our ecology team leads in developing and delivering on new and existing projects with Indigenous communities across Canada.

Key tasks will include writing funding proposals, supporting environmental impact assessment and cumulative effects projects, project coordination, working collaboratively with community members, and conducting in-community and fieldwork.

The ecology researcher will assist with managing large, complex projects with multiple funders and under tight timelines. Strong field skills, project management skills, knowledge of terrestrial ecosystems, experience with habitat restoration, and RPBio designation are an asset.

**Job Duties**:

- Assist with research, drafting of reports and proposals, particularly within the field of ecology;
- Work closely with other Firelight researchers and Indigenous community representatives to conduct field surveys, community meetings, interviews and focus groups using consistent documentation protocols, in small remote communities;
- Conduct literature reviews based on Indigenous ecological knowledge and ecological and human environmental primary and grey literature;
- Develop study design and methods, conduct analyses, and interpret/

communicate the results of ecological studies; **Report and document field results regularly;**
- Assist with drafting and finalizing project reports;
- Assist with qualitative data coding and quote pulling;
- Lead or assist with research project coordination;
- Prepare Scopes of Work/Proposals and project budgets;
- Lead and/or provide technical support on regulatory review tasks for ecological topics including:

- Manage information, including proponent files and correspondence, Environmental Assessment Agency files and correspondence, notes from legalteams, client documents, field notes, audio and video files;o Interpret/communicate Environmental Assessment and regulatory-related research topics and studies (this may include methods for conduct and interpretation of Indigenous use, Indigenous knowledge, socio-economic, health, cultural and rights-based studies and assessments);o Assist and/or lead in drafting and finalizing Environmental Assessment deliverables - internal memos, information requests, comments on draft reports, motions to compel, final arguments, mitigation and monitoring tables, etc.;o Review Environmental Impact Statements and other Environmental Assessment-related documentation and correspondence and providing formal comments on behalf of clients;
- Update and track internal content management system (Sharefile), supporting team members in project archive and document management.
- Travel regularly up to 10 days per month, not necessarily consecutively, including in remote Indigenous communities (once COVID-19 travel recommendations and community protocols allow);
- Support with administrative duties, special projects and other duties as may be required.

**Qualifications**:

- University degree (Master’s level minimum) in ecology, environmental sciences, social sciences, and/or related fields (or commensurate experience). Registered professional biologist (RPBio) designation preferred.

**Required Skills (applicants must provide evidence of these skills)**:

- Excellent writing and analytical skills.
- Experience working on Indigenous-led research initiatives.
- Experience coordinating projects and research teams.
- Ability to work within a fast-paced environment and communicate effectively to diverse audience.
- Strong attention to detail and highly proficient with information management systems and protocols.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences such as existing and potential clients, funders, directors, associates, and internal staff.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Driver’s license required.

**Rated Skills (applicants will be comparatively assessed on these skills)**:

- Knowledge and use of biological (ecological) research methodologies.
- Familiarity with environmental issues related to resource extraction in Canada.
- Ability to conduct meetings with community/client researchers and get key points across to a diverse audience.
- Plain language/technical writing skills.
- Firelight offers compensation commensurate with skills and training, within industry standard ranges. We offer a progressive, flexible workplace and the following benefits: _
- _Professional development funds._
- _Banking of earned overtime._
- _Health and Wellness Program._
- _Comprehensive health and dental benefits._
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