Research Scientist

**Position Details**:
**Current Rate of Pay**: Min = $45.99/hr, Max = $53.33/hr
**Employment type**: Temporary Contract
**Duration of employment**: 12 months
**Hours of work**: 35 hrs/week
**Work location**: Head Office
**Division**: Development and Engineering Services
**Business unit**: Watershed Planning & Ecosystem Science
**Travel**: 10%
**Hybrid Work**: Yes
**Existing Vacancy**: Yes
**About TRCA**:
With more than 60 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario, created to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of watershed communities through the protection and restoration of the natural environment and the ecological services the environment provides.
TRCA is considered the provincial leader in conserving, restoring, and managing natural resources to advance safe and sustainable development.
**How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team**:
The Research Scientist will support the Climate Science and Adaptation program by conducting climate data analysis, research, and policy assessments to evaluate risks, develop adaptation strategies, and promote sustainable environmental management in a changing climate. Specifically, they will lead and conduct literature reviews, field investigations, quantitative analyses, scientific and plain-language writing, and knowledge mobilization.
**Major Responsibilities**:

- Supports supervisor in pursuing funding opportunities to enhance existing program areas and other research
- Works with teams to create, format and prepare reports (case studies, discussion papers, technical strategies, planning documents, technical reports, and proposals) for review and circulation to internal/external stakeholders and external experts for various purposes
- Reviews and provides written input or feedback on draft reports or interim analysis completed by other project team members; ensures the final report is complete, accurate and incorporates or addresses comments
- Designs and carries out detailed technical analyses or assessments in association with other staff, including but not limited to statistical or trend analysis, modelling, risk or scenario analysis, literature review or other qualitative assessment approaches
- Collects data according to standardized protocols and ensures that data are scientifically defensible to guarantee the provision of high-quality information to TRCA and its partners
- Organizes, manages databases, and conducts quality control checks on monitoring or assessment data, ensuring quality control and assurance measures are always followed during data collection and analysis processes. Updates and maintains corporate databases using SQL and GIS ArcMap
- Attends and presents at conferences, scientific roundtable gatherings, or public events to broadly enable knowledge transfer or exchange, and build/strengthen networks
- Obtains approvals for the project scope and then ensures that project staff and resources are able to/can deliver the project addressing any training or resource gap; and develops a project plan timeline

**What will you need to succeed**:
Education (degree/diploma/certifications/licenses)
- University degree in Biology, Geography, Hydrology, Environmental Sciences, Climate Change, Engineering, Physics, Renewable Energy or a related field.
- Valid Ontario Class G2 driver's license.

Experience
- 4+ years of experience related to the major responsibilities of the role
- Experience with the full research lifecycle, including identifying research knowledge gaps, seeking funding, designing and conducting experiments, undertaking spatial and temporal analysis using statistical software to analyze data, and publishing research findings
- Experience managing data and implementing quality assurance quality control processes
- Experience evaluating scientific results and communicating science-based advice, findings and recommendations to scientists, managers, or non-technical stakeholders

Knowledge/Skill/Ability - Competencies
- Sound working knowledge of science policy and practices surrounding land use, climate change adaptation and/or mitigation as they pertain to ecosystem management, sustainable technologies and/or watershed hydrology
- Able to comprehend documentation that is technical or scientific in nature, skilled in writing technical reports or manuals
- Demonstrated ability to proactively identify problems in a timely manner, seeking the appropriate level of support to solve issues

**What TRCA has to offer you**:
As part of a progressive team you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact to preserving and protecting nature, while maintaining a balance between the natural environment and built environment. Working with experts within our field, you will join a team of colleagues that are committed to TRCA’s core values by demonstrating the following behaviours; integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence (icare).
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