Junior Vegetation Ecologist

**Junior Vegetation Ecologist - Job Description**

Position**:Junior** **Vegetation Ecologists**
Reports to: Intermediate or Senior Ecologist
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
- Paragon is a leading environmental consulting company specializing in vegetation, wetlands, and soils as they relate to natural resource and infrastructure development and reclamation. Our team has the good fortune to work on many of the largest and most dynamic industrial projects in the country. Our reputation with clients is built through using applied science, decades of experience, and consistently sound judgment to help their projects be successful. _
- We recognize the collective strengths of our team and are committed to providing high-quality service, while also providing a safe and rewarding work environment. Paragon offers our team members an engaging and professional workplace that fosters creativity and diversity. We invest in our team by offering competitive salaries and benefits, interesting projects, and numerous professional development opportunities._
- Paragon is currently seeking Junior Vegetation Ecologists to join our team. Compensation will be commensurate with experience._

**Summary of Position**:
As a Junior Vegetation Ecologist, you will be reporting to an Intermediate or Senior Ecologist and to Project Managers as appropriate for client projects.
Your knowledge and skills in plant species identification, vegetation and wetland classification and mapping, vegetation ecology, forestry, wetland, and environmental assessment areas will be applied in existing and new client projects or programs, primarily within the oil sands, pipeline, mining, agricultural, and power sectors. Strong data collection and analytical skills are assets, along with effective communication within a team of vegetation and ecological technical staff. This position is responsible for conducting fieldwork, managing, and analyzing data, and assisting with the drafting of reports. This position requires understanding of vegetation and wetland science and reclamation, as well as demonstrated writing skills.

**TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Assisting with detailed vegetation and wetland inventory, assessment, and monitoring data collection in the field (often in remote locations) as a crew assistant while building the skills and knowledge necessary to grow into an independent crew lead
- Assisting more senior staff with basic to more advanced plot data manipulation, summary, and statistical analyses
- Working with other environmental consulting companies, subcontractors, and regulatory agencies while maintaining Paragon’s reputation
- Assisting more senior Ecologists and Project Managers with various tasks and managing priorities and schedules for multiple project requests
- Providing input on how best to use new technology to improve field processes
- Attending workshops, meetings, and other similar events
- Exercising good judgment
- Pursuing continuing education and additional professional development
- Preparing and submitting regular, timely and accurate timesheets, expense reports and other relevant documentation
- Assisting with equipment maintenance and safety

**MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**:

- Have completed or working towards a relevant post-secondary degree from a recognized university or college that is related to

Environmental Sciences, Vegetation and Wetland Ecology or Plant Sciences
- Knowledge and understanding of vegetation and wetland science and reclamation
- Experience in the identification of common plant species in Alberta
- Eligibility to register with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) or the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB)
- Good physical condition with the ability for high mental alertness and moderate physical exertion during field work.
- An absolute, genuine dedication to safe work
- Ability to be productive while working independently as well as in a team setting
- Proficient with computers and software, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook (at least an intermediate level of proficiency)
- Comfortable using advanced GPS units or tablets
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License, with clean drivers abstract, able to travel throughout the provinces and work weekends when necessary

**PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS**
- Previous relevant vegetation and wetland work experience in the field and office
- Experience identifying more difficult (rare) plant species. Please provide the region (e.g., boreal, foothills, parkland and/or prairie) and groups of plants (e.g., bryophytes, willows and/or sedges) your knowledge and skills currently span.
- Understanding of the natural resources industry and understanding of associated environmental standards
- Operational knowledge of ArcGIS (including 3D softcopy mapping) and statistical packages (such as R)
- Safety Certificates including First Aid, Advanced driver training, GDII, H2S, OSSA, CSTS, PCST, WHMIS, Bear Aware, ATV/UTV
- ATV/UTV/Argo experience
- Curr