Principal Aquatic Ecologist

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**GFT**’s Environmental Team in Toronto is currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced** Principal Aquatic Ecologist** to join our growing team in **Toronto** This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our **Toronto**office.

Working on the roadway team at GFT offers the opportunity to engage in transformative projects that enhance transportation infrastructure and improve community connectivity. Whether working on highways and bridges or traffic engineering, our team excels in resilient, sustainable design and construction, delivering innovative solutions that address the complexities of modern, multimodal roadway systems and ensure safe, efficient, and reliable travel for all. Explore some of our signature roadway projects here.

**In the capacity, you will be responsible for the following**:

- Lead and manage fisheries and aquatic habitat studies (including Species at Risk) in support of various infrastructure projects including transportation, transit, water, municipal infrastructure, and other projects.
- Provide senior technical oversight and mentorship to junior and intermediate staff.
- Support business development activities, including proposal writing and client relationship building towards building a client portfolio.
- Conduct background data reviews and interpretation appropriate databases summarizing aquatic existing conditions, including species at risk data.
- Design and perform effective aquatic habitat and aquatic biota surveys to meet applicable regulatory or project specific requirements; record clear and concise field data under varied weather conditions.
- Conduct fish and fish habitat assessments using industry best practices and a variety of sampling techniques.
- Carry out environmental impact assessments by identifying potential effects and developing appropriate mitigation/monitoring measures and strategies.
- Assist with stakeholder/review agency consultation.
- Follow quality assurance/quality control procedures to ensure commitment to technical excellence.
- Effectively manage and coordinate projects and budgets as a technical lead or project manager.
- Ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations and best management practices related to municipal, provincial and federal legislation (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Fisheries Act).

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**What you will bring to our firm**:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 15 years of practical experience in environmental consulting.

**What we prefer you bring**:

- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of aquatic ecology and fish and fish habitat gained through practical experience.
- Experience with a range of fish and aquatic sampling techniques and demonstrated ability to perform studies in aquatic ecology.
- Familiarity and working knowledge of various environmental permits and approvals at federal, provincial and municipal levels.
- An understanding of transportation, transit and municipal infrastructure construction projects gained through practical experience.
- Demonstrated sense of urgency with a strong commitment to ensuring client satisfaction, achieving goals and objectives; excellent self-management, project management and organizational skills with the ability to set priorities and multi-task.
- Previous experience managing a team of technical personnel is considered an asset.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and drawings.
- MTO/DFO/MNRF fisheries protocol training.
- MTO RAQs certification for Fisheries Assessment or Fisheries Contracts Specialty is considered an asset.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, team oriented and ability to work independently.
- Valid Class G driver’s license.

**Compensation**:
The salary range for this position is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

**Featured Benefits**:

- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

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At **GFT**, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re