Senior Wildlife Biologist

Job description

Join the Canacre team in an exciting role working on leading edge infrastructure projects.

We are technical experts in land, energy, and transportation development delivering accurate, innovative, and agile solutions to our partners. We provide land acquisition, geospatial mapping, data management, web-based GIS, community relations, land feasibility studies, and permitting services. Canacre’s clients include developers, large scale service providers, and government entities that are involved in the planning and development of energy projects, rights of way, resources, and infrastructure across Canada and the United States. Canacre works on large-scale wind and solar power projects, high-voltage transmission lines, pipeline projects, municipal roads projects, and groupings of cellular towers and rooftop antennas.

At Canacre, we act with honesty and integrity within a culture where trust, collaboration, and teamwork flourish. We commit to diversity, inclusivity and the celebration of successes. Our vision is to foster an environment that promotes inspired and empowered team members who make an impact.

The Senior Wildlife Biologist will act as an expert in wildlife resources, with the ability to support projects in various jurisdiction across the country. The Senior Wildlife Biologist will primarily be responsible for completing desktop reviews, providing regulatory expertise, overseeing field assessments, report writing, developing mitigation and permitting related to the conservation and management of wildlife resources. The role includes all phases of Project work from routing and siting, through approvals, construction, and post-construction support. This position will focus primarily on projects within the Energy Sector, including transmission, oil and gas, and renewables.

In addition, your role will be to:

• Lead and oversee various wildlife related field surveys, including wildlife and wildlife habitat assessments, and targeted species at risk surveys.
• Lead wildlife related field programs during construction, such as migratory bird nest sweeps and amphibian salvages, including providing recommendations on mitigation and monitoring during activities within buffers.
• Lead wildlife scopes related to Environmental Assessments, permit applications, management plans, and desktop constraints analysis.
• Provide mitigation and best management practices to minimize impacts to wildlife during project activities.
• Prepare required permit applications related to wildlife resources.
• Prepare Wildlife Reports to support overall Environmental Assessment and other regulatory applications.
• Provide strategic guidance on wildlife management, regulatory approvals, and wildlife assessments.
• Support proposal preparation, including technical scope and cost estimate development.
• Provide technical leadership of multiple projects ensuring quality and accuracy of reports and project deliverables
• Support other biophysical field assessments (e.g., wetlands, vegetation, aquatics, etc.), when required.
• Consult and communicate with contractors, subcontractors, regulators, landowners, Indigenous communities and clients, as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field of study.
• Professional designation with the BC College of Applied Biologists or with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists.
• 10+ years of professional experience as a biologist, specializing in wildlife biology, or related role.
• Experience leading wildlife field surveys in remote settings, reviewing of field data and coordinating with various field teams.
• Experience conducting Environmental Assessments for federal and provincially regulated projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading wildlife-related field studies and implementing species-specific survey methodologies throughout Canada.
• Experience related to caribou and caribou habitat would be an asset.
• Experience with ESRI products, such as ArcGIS Pro, Survey 123 and Field Maps would be an asset.
• Experience related to pipeline, transmission line and renewable energy construction would be an asset.
• Experience and knowledge related to other biophysical disciplines, such as wetlands, vegetation, aquatics, etc. would be an asset.
• Knowledge of provincial and federal wildlife legislation and regulations, including but not limited to the Wildlife Act, Species at Risk Act, Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions, and the Migratory Bird Convention Act.
• Strong working knowledge of wildlife regulations and best management practices.
• Knowledge of species-specific inventory and various wildlife survey methodologies.
• Strong bird identification skills (visual and auditory).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills – data collection and interpretation, technical report writing, regulatory permit applications, client communications, etc.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, prioritizing and decision-making skills.
• Ability to build strong, lasting relationships with key stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

At Canacre, our benefits program is one of the ways in which we reinforce the value we place on employees and the role they play in helping us achieve our goals. Canacre offers comprehensive health and dental coverage, vacation time, and disability insurance. Other benefits include an RRSP Savings Plan employer matching program, Employee Assistance Program, flexible work arrangement and a variety of wellness programs.

Given the volume of applications we typically receive, we are unable to respond to all applicants, however, you will be contacted if your experience is a suitable match with one of our upcoming projects.

This is a remote or hybrid opportunity.