Terrestrial Ecologist

What is the role

LEA is seeking a Terrestrial Ecologist to join our growing Environmental Team. Successful applicants must be motivated able to work independently and have excellent organizational and communication skills. Applicants must also have a university degree in biology/ecology or a related field and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience. Key tasks to be undertaken include completing baseline natural science surveys to inventory vegetation and wildlife species characterizing and assessing vegetation communities and wildlife habitat and completing targeted surveys for Species at Risk (SAR). Applicants must also have experience in the production of technical reports and project deliverables including Environmental Impact Studies and environmental monitoring reports. The successful applicant will be required to work with minimal supervision and travel between project sites using reliable personal transportation. The applicant must also be able to accommodate multi-day/night travel during peak field seasons as required. The successful applicant will also be required to undertake compliance monitoring of environmental mitigation measures on large-scale transportation infrastructure and development projects.

Why join LEA

LEA is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with a 72year history. We provide multidisciplinary engineering services across Transportation Civil Structures Construction Administration Electrical and Infrastructure Systems and Environmental Management.

LEAs Environmental Sector focuses on Environmental Management during design and construction environmental planning ecology/biology and compliance oversight monitoring.

At LEA we are committed to producing high-quality client-focused engineering solutions while supporting the professional growth and self-realization of our people. As an employee-owned company every team member contributes directly to LEAs continued success and growth.

Were confident that by joining LEA you can discover and realize your full career potential because LEA:

• Has been recognized as a Greater Toronto Top Employer and Canadas Top Employer for Young People for 2025 & 2026 highlighting our commitment to fostering an outstanding workplace culture and supporting the next generation of professionals.
• Recruits high-performing motivated individuals who strive to achieve the highest level of technical excellence and quality.
• Is an Employee-owned company and almost half of our employees are shareholders.
• Offers a competitive total rewards package of salary substantial bonuses benefits and other perks.
• Is continuously involved in many exciting and challenging projects throughout Ontario and around the world.
• Allows for a collaborative hybrid work environment with flexible hours to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Cultivates team companionship and collaboration offering a variety of social events aimed at fostering relationships across the company including sports leagues game nights special events and volunteer/charitable opportunities.
• Is an organization that is committed to achieving ourEnvironmental Social & Governance objectives through our various committees.
• Prioritizes mentorship training and rotational assignments for knowledge advancement and career growth.
• Has an entrepreneurial spirit as an employee-owned companywith continuousgrowth and expansion taking part in meaningful projects.

In this role your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Conduct comprehensive terrestrial ecosystem studies/surveys to support a variety of projects and EA studies.
• Manage the accurate collection storage and digital filing of field data consistent with LEA Quality Control requirements.
• Prepare and contribute to technical reports and permit-related documentation including Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) Environmental Screening Documents mitigation memoranda Tree Inventory and Protection Plans (TIPP) and construction support plans.
• Assist in the preparation of regulatory permit/approval application submissions.
• Assist in the development of habitat restoration and monitoring plans.
• Liaise with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals stakeholders regulatory agencies and the public as required during the project planning phase through to construction to support project delivery.
• Review project designs to determine and quantify potential indirect and direct impacts to Sensitive Environmental Features.
• Review and develop mitigation measures strategies and construction best management practices to minimize impacts.
• Assist with design planning by providing recommendations to avoid and/or minimize impacts on identified constraints and sensitivities.
• Provide construction-phase ecological support including pre-construction surveys site monitoring and coordination with contractors to ensure compliance with environmental commitments and protection measures.
• Undertake environmental compliance and Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) monitoring during active construction.

The qualifications you need:

• University degree in biology/ecology/botany or related studies with a minimum of 3-5 years of work experience conducting natural science studies or similar ecological fieldwork.
• Strong technical skills related to the identification and survey of vascular plants (i.e. trees shrubs forbs and graminoids) and vegetation communities including rare species and SAR.
• ISA Certified Arborist Certification is considered a strong asset demonstrating eligibility and willingness to work toward certification.
• Strong ability to identify Ontario wildlife including birds amphibians reptiles and mammals is an asset.
• Applied Knowledge of ecological survey protocols including Migratory Bird Surveys Amphibian Call Surveys Herpetofauna Surveys and Acoustic Surveys is an asset.
• Applied knowledge of the Ontario Ecological Land Classification (ELC) system and the Ontario Wetlands Evaluation System (OWES) is an asset.
• Knowledge of: Endangered Species Act 2007 (ESA) Species at Risk Act (SARA) the Environmental Assessment Act (Ontario) Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) Fisheries Act Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) and other relevant provincial and federal environmental legislation.
• Previous experience with client stakeholder and regulatory agency liaison considered an asset.
• Experience with GIS assets and data collection methods is an asset.
• CAN-CISEC certification and/or experience completing environmental compliance and ESC inspection on construction sites is an asset.

Total Rewards at LEA

At LEA we offer a total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being health and work-life balance along with unique opportunities for shareholding and long-term share value growth.

• Annual Salary Range: $60000 $75000 CAD.
• Discretionary Profit Sharing: LEA offers opportunities to receive a bonus payment from the profit-sharing program.
• Shareholding: Unique opportunity to become a shareholder in the firm have a voice in governance and benefit from long-term share value growth.
• Group Health Benefits: Comprehensive coverage including prescription drugs dental vision STD LTD life insurance critical illness wellness account travel coverage and virtual health services.
• Retirement & Savings Plans: RRSP with employer matching and TFSA options for tax-free growth.
• Personal Days: 7 days of flexible paid time off that can be used as needed including for personal matters or vacation.
• Hybrid & Flexible Work Model: LEA operates in a hybrid environment with flex hours to ensure flexibility safety and well-being.
• Social Club: LEA has a unique employee-co-funded social club with an annual budget of approximately $50000 to host social events and activities that bring employees together. Many events welcome guests with the social club covering part or all of the guest costs.

The work arrangement:

LEA operates in a hybrid environment to support flexibility safety and the well-being of all team members. This role requires travel to project sites within the GTA and other parts of Ontario. A valid Canadian drivers license is mandatory.

LEAs Commitment to Inclusive Hiring and Equal Opportunity:

LEA Consulting Ltd. is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer with Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) embedded in all strategic planning and operational activities. As part of our commitment to fair representation and equitable access to opportunities we encourage applications from underrepresented groups including Indigenous peoples LGBTQ2S individuals newcomers neurodiverse individuals persons with disabilities racial and ethnic minorities refugees veterans and women.

We evaluate all qualified candidates based on their skills and experiences without regard to factors such as age colour conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted disability family status gender identity or expression genetic characteristics marital/family status national origin protected veteran status race religion sex sexual orientation or any other status protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Accessibility:

LEA is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. If you require accommodations during any stage of the recruitment or interview process please contact . We remain committed to ensuring that accommodations are available and supported throughout employment.

Vacancy Status:

This position is an existing vacancy.

AI Disclosure:

We do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to screen assess or select applicants at any stage of the hiring process for this position.

Apply and stay connected with LEA:

We appreciate your interest in joining LEA! If this role aligns with your experience we would love to hear from you. While well only be reaching out to candidates selected for an interview we encourage you to apply again when a suitable opportunity arises. Stay connected with us on LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter and YouTube.

Required Experience:

Manager