Senior Ecologist

Join us at our new Hamilton location as we expand our Land Development Ecology Team and lead the way in shaping innovative ecological solutions. We're seeking a Senior Aquatic or Terrestrial Ecologist (permanent, full-time) who is passionate about environmental stewardship and ready to take the next step in their career.

 What You'll Be Doing

As a senior member of our Land Development Ecology Team, you'll play a key role in delivering ecological services for land development projects across southern and central Ontario. You'll collaborate with ecologists, engineers, and environmental professionals to guide project delivery, mentor junior staff, and contribute to the growth of our ecology practice.

You'll report directly to the Vice President of Ecology, Land Development, and work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment focused on client success and ecological integrity.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on your specialization (Aquatic or Terrestrial), your responsibilities may include:

Aquatic Ecologist

• Lead aquatic fieldwork and ecological surveys using established protocols (e.g., fish habitat, headwater drainage feature assessments).
• Manage environmental components of land development projects including scope, budget, and deliverables.
• Design and implement Environmental/Adaptive Management Plans, including ESC strategies and water quality monitoring.
• Prepare and submit permit applications under the Species at Risk Act, Endangered Species Act, and Fisheries Act (e.g., Redside Dace).
• Liaise with federal and provincial agencies (DFO, MNR, MECP) on behalf of clients.
• Produce high-quality technical reports and documentation for environmental approvals.
• Contribute to Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Evaluations, and Environmental Assessments.

Terrestrial Ecologist

• Lead terrestrial fieldwork and ecological surveys using established protocols.
• Manage natural environmental components of land development projects.
• Prepare and submit permit applications under the Endangered Species Act (e.g., Butternut).
• Liaise with Conservation Authorities and provincial agencies during permitting processes.
• Coordinate and produce technical reports and documentation for environmental approvals.
• Prepare Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Evaluations, and Due Diligence Assessments.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Studies, or a related field.
• 10+ years of consulting experience in ecology, with proven leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent technical writing skills and experience preparing high-quality reports and proposals.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with a client-focused approach.

Additional Skills Depending on Specialization:

• Aquatic Ecology: OSAP, Fish ID, OBBN, Class 2 Backpack Electrofishing, Can-CISEC, ESC inspection experience.
• Terrestrial Ecology: Ecological Land Classification, Ontario Wetland Evaluation System, Butternut Health Assessment, ISA Certified Arborist, vascular plant inventory.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and policies (e.g., Fisheries Act, Endangered Species Act, Conservation Authorities Act, Provincial Planning Statement, Greenbelt Plan).
• Experience with ArcGIS and/or AutoCAD is an asset.

What Success Looks Like

• You lead projects with confidence, delivering ecological solutions that meet regulatory and client expectations.
• You mentor and inspire junior staff, contributing to a strong and collaborative team culture.
• You maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies and clients through clear, professional communication.
• You produce high-quality technical documentation that supports project approvals and ecological integrity.
• You help grow our ecology practice through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.

Why Choose Burnside?

Are you interested in working for an employer with a 5-decade track record of building a great reputation both internally with their staff and externally with their clients? The Burnside team is a supportive group of colleagues that work together to provide value and service to our clients, while extending care to each other. We know that our employees are our greatest asset, and thus we strive to provide a positive work/life balance.

We offer:

• A collaborative culture where friendship, honesty and respect are part of our core values and practices
• Flexible working hours and office locations, including hybrid working opportunities
• A competitive compensation and benefits package
• RRSP company matching plan
• Career growth and professional development opportunities
• Potential for performance-driven bonusing
• Active social committees
• A welcoming, positive, and inclusive work environment

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity in the workplace and we welcome resumes from all qualified candidates. Burnside will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the entire recruitment, assessment, and selection process, as required.  If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation during these processes, please contact our Human Resources department.

Company Profile – More about us:

Founded in 1970, R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited is a growing values-driven employee-owned multidiscipline engineering and environmental consulting firm with over 450+ staff. Our consistent commitment towards investing in technology advancements and training, in addition to encouraging and promoting professional development, has enabled our firm to meet our ongoing and stated goal of continual improvement.

We actively seek to develop relationships with a broad and diversified client base in the Public, Private and Indigenous sectors. We work on a variety of projects throughout Canada, with 11 office locations in Ontario and one in Manitoba.

Burnside has expertise in many technical disciplines beyond our core civil engineering focus including air and noise, asset management, building sciences, environmental planning and ecology, GIS, hydrogeology, land development, landscape architecture, municipal drainage, solid waste, stormwater management, structures, transportation planning and design, water and wastewater and well drilling & diagnostics.

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