Aquatic Biologist

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We are a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that is critical to our clients and the communities we support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Stantec's aquatic environmental services work in Canada spans habitats from open ocean to coastal rainforest to arctic tundra, and project diversity ranging from grassroots watershed management to cutting-edge mining and liquified natural gas developments. Our team includes nationally recognized experts in freshwater and marine ecology. A role with Stantec provides the support of leading scientists, with the opportunity to grow your career in multiple directions.  

Your Opportunity

Stantec has an opportunity for an Intermediate Aquatic Biologist to join our Aquatics team. The position may be located in any of our offices in British Columbia; however preference will be given to candidates located in the lower mainland.

The ideal candidate is an experienced professional who has supported clients through project stages from baseline assessment to construction support services. With an understanding of the federal and provincial legislation and regulations and municipal bylaws that relate to freshwater, estuarine, and marine aquatic ecosystems, you have experience exercising independent judgement to develop and implement fish and fish habitat programs (field work, analysis, and reporting) within standard practice guidelines. You also have experience preparing permit applications such as:

• Requests for Review and section 35(2)(b)/ b) authorization applications under the Fisheries Act
• Change Approvals under section 11 of the Water Sustainability Act
• Section 82 - Impact Assessment Act for Projects on Federal Lands - Project and Environmental Review
• Species At Risk Act (SARA) - Section 2 - Permit Authorizing an Activity Affecting Listed Wildlife Species Regulations
• Riparian Areas Protection Regulation Detailed Assessments

Experience with working in urban environments would be considered an asset, as would experience with linear developments, construction in aquatic environments, or mining. Technical experience with environmental overview/impact assessments, environmental permitting, construction environmental management plans, species at risk, and monitoring works in and about a stream are an asset. While this position is anchored in fish and fish habitat biology, experience and interest in water quality and aquatic resources (lower trophic levels) are assets. Data analysis skills such as advanced Excel skills and/or functional skills in R are assets.

As an Aquatic Biologist, you will conduct exciting work with multi-disciplinary teams on varied projects across Canada, including work with civil and process engineers, hydrotechnical and habitat design specialists, fish biologists, geographic information specialists, and impact assessment practitioners. Your assignments will be broad, varied, and diverse, and will include providing mentorship to junior staff. You will also provide sound advice to clients, regulators, and Stantec team members. The successful candidate with join a team that works together to foster a collaborative culture with a focus on communication, mentorship, and opportunity.

 Your Key Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, manage, and support fish, aquatic resource, and/or water quality components of projects
• Develop, lead, and manage environmental management and construction monitoring projects
• Design and lead field sampling programs in accordance with provincial guidance, such as RISC standards, or other standard methods employed by Stantec
• Interpret data in relation to permit or regulatory requirements
• Perform descriptive and/or comparative statistical analyses for fish and water quality data to detect spatial and temporal trends, significant differences, or guideline exceedances
• Prepare permit applications (e.g., Fisheries Act, Water Sustainability Act, Environmental Management Act, or Riparian Areas Protection Act)
• Write technical reports
• Write and/or support development of proposals, work with business developers to engage local clients in the BC Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley region
• Lead potentially complex field work (requiring development of daily priorities, study design adjustments based on field realities to meet project objectives) in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, with opportunities to travel around BC, AB, and YK, as needed
• Provide mentorship to junior staff and be an active learner
• Actively participate in Stantec's Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Program to promote a strong health and safety culture at work and at home, including following Stantec safe work practices for field programs

Qualifications

Your Capabilities and Experience

• Application of federal and provincial legislation and regulations and municipal bylaws in an environmental consulting context, such as regulatory requirements for aquatic environments or water and sediment quality guidelines
• Understanding of how water influences biological communities
• Experience with designing studies to meet specific objectives
• Experience working with contractors, engineers, and design teams to identify strategies to avoid, mitigate, and/or reduce potential impacts to the environment, and with construction teams to implement those strategies
• Developing field programs and leading field crews 
• Analyzing and presenting data 
• Writing clear, concise and accurate technical reports, environmental assessment application chapters, and other industry documents
• Preparing permit applications and working with regulators
• Supporting mentorship and field training of junior staff
• Willingness to travel for project work
• Strong interpersonal and social skills, including in-person and online collaboration
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Proficiency with technology including the Microsoft suite of software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint)
• Familiarity with ESRI field data collection products
• Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 23 kg (i.e., carrying field equipment and samples).
• A valid Class 5 driver's licence. A personal vehicle is an asset. 

Education and Experience

Applicants must be registered with the British Columbia College of Applied Biology as an RBTech or RPBio or be eligible to immediately apply for registration.

A minimum of a B.Sc. and five years of experience related to aquatic biology, or M.Sc. with four years of experience are required. Relevant consulting experience is required.

Work Environment

Typical office environment involves working with computers and remaining relatively sedentary. Stantec offers a flexible work arrangement for desk-based tasks including working from Stantec office locations, working from home, or a mix depending on the situation. 

Field work may include exposure to inclement weather, and travel through rough and remote terrain, carrying equipment. 

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