Aquatic Biologist

Aquatic Biologist

Higher Ground Consulting (HGC) is seeking an aquatic biologist to join our Environment and Regulatory team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in both field and office-based settings, with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers throughout the lifecycle of projects. The successful applicants work will be focused on supporting the completion of surface water programs, working on fish assessments & mitigations, environmental monitoring and provide support in the completion of other relevant biophysical assessments such as work in wetlands. They will have access to an experienced team covering a variety of disciplines, including technical senior support and mentorship. They should anticipate and enjoy field programs throughout the summer months and a focus on more reporting in the winter.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Perform surface water, 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.

· Conduct environmental monitoring and provide expertise for various construction projects, with emphasis on protecting water quality as well as fish and fish habitat during work.

· Participate in field programs, including:

• Electrofishing
• Water quality & quantity sampling (surface and groundwater)
• Stream classification and habitat surveys

· Prepare and submit environmental assessment reports, regulatory applications, and permit documentation (e.g., Section 11, DFO Request for Review, Code of Practice, etc…).

· 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

· Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams including hydrogeologists, biologists, indigenous community members, and engineers.

· Aid in the preparation of technical documents

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or related fields

· 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
• 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 relevant experience in aquatic biology or freshwater ecology

· Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills

· Flexible working style and willingness to modify personal schedules as required to meet project deadlines and/or client needs

· 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

· 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)

THE FOLLOWING WILL BE CONSIDERED AN ASSET

· Environmental fieldwork experience and/or experience working safely in remote areas for extended periods of time

· Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialist classification

· Demonstrated experience with electrofishing techniques (backpack, boat)

· Knowledge of federal and provincial environmental legislation (e.g., Fisheries Act, Water Sustainability Act).

· Proficiency with GIS software used for data collection, analysis, an assessment

· 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.

In addition to a competitive compensation package, the advantages of working at HGC include:

Opportunities for Growth: Higher Ground is a growing 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 technical and soft skills. We understand investing time and resources into our staff is investing in our business.

Team Building: At Higher Ground, our motto is we get stuff done. We take a lot of pride in being reliable consultants that deliver high quality services, so we work hard. But we also take the time to celebrate that. We have various social events and opportunities for the team to relax and enjoy time together outside of the office. To celebrate our successes and to help share what is happening at Higher Ground, groups trade off turns running short Lunch and Learn sessions. This is a fun way for the team to share what they have been up to, and keep the company informed about what new and interesting projects and opportunities we are working on and share knowledge.

ABOUT HGC

Higher Ground Consulting is a full service EPCM company. We comprise a dedicated team of professionals trained and experienced in project management, engineering, design, and sciences, working together to provide practical solutions, with an intense focus on advancing our client's projects to successful completion.

HGC is home for those of us that like the idea of "Higher Standards. Higher Expectations." We want to be good at what we do, and we enjoy working with others who care about what they do as well. We don't expect perfection but consistently strive to be better versions of ourselves.

Interested candidates are asked to email a cover letter and current resume to .solutions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35.00-$41.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Class 5 Licence (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Calgary, AB T2P 3G2