Biologist / Environmental Scientist

Biologist / Environmental Scientist

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Field leadership for field programs that could include:

- Electrofishing
- Water quality & quantity sampling (surface and groundwater)
- Stream classification and habitat surveys
- Sensitive wildlife surveys
- Nest sweeps
- Fish programs may include aquatic habitat and fish assessments to identify and classify waterbodies and watercourses, determine fish habitat potential as well as developing mitigations for work in aquatic ecosystems. This includes water quality & quantity monitoring, fish assessment and mitigations, watercourse crossing inspections, and other similar activities as needed.
- Wildlife programs may include sensitive species surveys, Camera/ARU monitoring deployment and development, nest sweeps, bird surveys, habitat assessments, and other similar activities as needed
- Assess and report on project impacts and provide mitigation strategies in line with regional and federal environmental regulations.
- Liaise with clients, regulators, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders as needed
- Support a close knit and supportive multi-disciplinary teams including biologists, hydrogeologists, indigenous community members, and engineers.
- Lead and collaborate on the preparation of technical documents

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS
- Technical Diploma in an environmental program or bachelor’s degree
- Adaptable to a flexible work schedule and willing to travel to project sites and work out of town as needed including:

- Ability to travel to locations for up to two weeks at a time
- Willingness to work overtime as required, particularly while working in the field and balance personal and team scheduling in a collaborative approach during busy seasons
- Capable of working in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow, while maintaining safety and productivity.
- This role may require prolonged periods of physical activity and exposure to uneven terrain or other environmental factors.
- Minimum 3 years of relevant field experience focused on conducting fish, wildlife, aquatic, or habitat surveys
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
- Flexible working style and willingness to balance personal schedules with project requirements collaboratively with the team
- Familiarity with computers, including Microsoft Office programs, GPS, GIS and field data collection software
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid Class 5 driver’s licence

THE FOLLOWING WILL BE CONSIDERED AN ASSET
- Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or related fields
- Registered or eligible for registration as “in training” (e.g. E.I.T, B.I.T, etc.) with applicable professional registration body (e.g. ASPB or other applicable regulatory body)
- Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialist classification (for fishery focus)
- Demonstrated experience completing wildlife surveys and salvages
- Demonstrated experience with electrofishing techniques (backpack)
- Knowledge of federal and provincial environmental legislation (e.g., Fisheries Act, Water Sustainability Act, Wildlife Act).
- Proficiency with GIS software used for data collection, analysis, an assessment, open-source experience an asset (R, QGIS)
- Experience with fish salvages, watercourse crossings, and mitigations for construction around water

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position will be based in our head office in downtown Calgary, Alberta. Higher Ground Consulting works on a basis of mutual trust and respect with our employees. We want our people to be regularly in the office to foster communication, culture, and efficiency, however, we do not mandate specific office time or working schedules. We have a relaxed, flexible and dog-friendly office. This position will work with clients and team members in multiple locations across Canada and the US.

In addition to a competitive compensation package, the advantages of working at HGC include:
**Opportunities for Growth**: Higher Ground is a growing employee-owned, private consulting company, that has thrived on being adaptive to the market and staying open to new strategic growth initiatives. That means when our people come to us with a plan or idea to pursue a client, industry, or geographic region, we want to throw our support behind it. We are always open to supporting our team to grow and explore business opportunities and look to share in the rewards from successful ventures.

**Career Development**: Our performance management and feedback programs are a core part of how we grow as a company and as professionals. We have an open-door policy and encourage mentorship and active feedback loops. We seek to both provide and collect constructive feedback and collaborate on how to do things better. We are constantly finding areas to improve, both as an individual and as project teams. To support continuous growth, we have training budgets allocated for people to explore ways to grow their