Ecologist and ESC Site Inspector

Join us at our Pickering location as we expand our Land Development Ecology Team and lead the way in shaping innovative ecological solutions. Were seeking an Aquatic or Terrestrial Ecologist (permanent full-time) with ESC site inspection experience who is passionate about environmental stewardship and ready to take the next step in their career.

What Youll Be Doing

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

Youll report directly to a Senior Ecologist on the Land Development Ecology team and work in a dynamic multi-disciplinary environment focused on client success and ecological integrity.

Key Responsibilities

Regardless of your specialization your responsibilities will include:

• Assist the ecology team in conducting fieldwork and ecological surveys across southern/central Ontariousing established protocols.
• Completeevaluations of biophysical site Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) inspections during construction. Demonstrated experience working effectively with contractors.
• Conductnatural heritage background searchesand analysispertaining toland-use historyand sensitivitiesand submitting data requests to agencies as conducting breeding bird surveys is considered an asset.
• Provide input intotechnicalfieldreports project reports and proposals.
• Providefield data input and assessment of mitigation measures andimpactsintoEnvironmental ImpactStudies(EISs) Natural Heritage Evaluations (NHEs) due diligence assessmentsand Environmental Assessments (EAs).
• CompleteSpecies atRisk surveysand submit registrable activities under the new Species Conservation Act and/or permit applications under theFisheries Act.
• Liaisewith and provide support toother technical specialists includingproject leadsecologists hydrogeologists GIS specialists engineers and other disciplines.
• Effectively communicate and establish positive relationships with federal and provincial agencies (i.e. CAs DFO and MNRF/MECP) on behalf of our clients.
• Other duties as required.

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).
• Complete fisheries sampling and salvages.
• 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 and Fisheries Act (e.g. Redside Dace).
• Liaise with conservation authorities and federal and provincial agencies (DFO MNR MECP) on behalf of clients.
• Produce high-quality technical reports and documentation for environmental approvals.
• Prepare Environmental Impact Studies Natural Heritage Evaluations and Due Diligence Assessments.

Terrestrial Ecologist

• Lead terrestrial fieldwork and ecological surveys using established protocols.
• Manage natural environmental components of land development projects.
• Liaise with Conservation Authorities and provincial agencies during permitting processes on behalf of clients.
• Coordinate and produce technical reports and documentation for environmental approvals.
• Prepare Environmental Impact Studies Natural Heritage Evaluations and Due Diligence Assessments.

What You Bring

• Bachelors Degree in Ecology Biology Environmental Studies or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in ecology with proven skillset and 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.
• Terrestrial Ecology: Breeding Bird Surveys Ecological Land Classification CAN-CISEC 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.

Salary Range: $75000 - $95000

The final compensation offered will be based on factors such as relevant experience skills internal equity and market conditions.

Position Type: New Position

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 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 Canadian employee-owned led and operated Civil and Environmental Engineering Consulting Firm with over 450 professional technical and support 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 work on a variety of projects throughout Canada with 12 office locations (11 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 bridges & culverts building sciences environmental planning and ecology GIS hydrogeology land development landscape architecture municipal engineering municipal drainage solid waste stormwater management structures traffic transportation planning and design water and wastewater and well drilling & diagnostics.

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Required Experience:

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