Freshwater Biology jobs

Job Summary

Blue Heron Environmental is seeking an experienced Intermediate Terrestrial Biologist to assist in leading and managing terrestrial biology components for mining, site development, and related environmental projects across Ontario. This role is well suited to a senior practitioner who enjoys technical leadership, project delivery, client service, regulatory coordination, and mentoring junior and intermediate team members.

• Lead and manage tasks and projects in accordance with approved scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and quality expectations;
• Lead and participate in terrestrial field programs, including providing technical oversight, mentoring field staff, verifying data quality, and maintaining field competency through regular participation in field activities.
• Collaborate with project managers and technical teams to plan, coordinate, and deliver terrestrial field programs that meet project objectives;
• Conduct site visits and, as required, support field data collection in remote and/or operational settings;
• Prepare, review, and contribute to technical reports, including data interpretation, analysis, and synthesis of large datasets;
• Prepare materials for regulatory agency review and communicate with provincial and federal regulators regarding permits, authorizations, and species at risk requirements;
• Contribute to proposals, work plans, budgets, and other business development activities;
• Review and interpret background information, including provincial and federal databases and mapping resources;
• Provide technical direction and practical environmental advice throughout the project life cycle;
• Mentor and support junior and intermediate staff through field, technical, and project-related activities;
• Follow and apply client and internal policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines in the execution of all work; and
• Complete other duties, as required.

Qualifications:

• B.Sc. in biology, ecology, environmental science, or a related field;
• Minimum of five years of demonstrated experience conducting taxa-specific terrestrial surveys;
• Minimum of two years of environmental consulting experience;
• Strong technical writing, communication, organizational, and project coordination skills;
• Thorough knowledge of northern Ontario flora, fauna, habitats, and ecological conditions;
• Knowledge of environmental inventory and monitoring protocols, including data collection, documentation, and quality control practices;
• Knowledge of current provincial and federal regulatory requirements related to species at risk.

Required Experience:

• Developing and maintaining strong client relationships;
• Designing terrestrial biology field programs and methods to meet project-specific objectives;
• Demonstrated experience leading terrestrial field programs in remote and operational environments, including supervising field crews, resolving field issues, and ensuring high-quality data collection.
• Identifying practical mitigation measures for the protection of species at risk and sensitive habitats;
• Collecting, assembling, analyzing, and interpreting ecological data;
• Preparing clear, defensible technical reports, memos, proposals, and regulatory submissions;
• Managing multiple priorities, tasks, and deadlines in a consulting environment;
• Supporting client liaison, proposal preparation, and business development activities; and
• Liaising with regulators and providing strategic regulatory advice to clients and internal teams throughout the project life cycle.

Work Expectations:

• This is a full-time position based in Ontario, with work completed from a Blue Heron office, home-based office, field location, or client site, depending on project needs;
• This position combines technical leadership with continued participation in field activities. The successful candidate is expected to maintain field competency by regularly supporting and leading terrestrial field programs throughout the field season.
• Regular travel within Ontario is expected, including travel to remote project sites and active industrial or mining locations.
• Field assignments may require extended workdays, variable schedules, work in challenging terrain and weather conditions, and overnight stays away from home.
• The successful candidate must be able to work safely and effectively in remote environments and be physically capable of hiking over uneven terrain while carrying field equipment.
• The successful candidate must be comfortable working independently and as part of multidisciplinary project teams;
• A valid driver’s licence and the ability to meet client and site-specific health, safety, and access requirements are required.

Pay: $80,000.00-$95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Flexible schedule
• RRSP match
• Work from home

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• Environmental consulting: 2 years (required)
• terrestrial biology: 5 years (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (required)

Work Location: In person