Senior Ecologist

Job Description

Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), founded in 1990, has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States and Canada.

With over 200 scientific publications, WEST provides a unique blend of scientific inquiry with environmental consulting and has published on a variety of environmental topics.

In North America, WEST is well known for its work in the renewable energy industry, having worked on thousands of projects since 1990 as well as writing and developing industrial protocols, procedures, and analyses that have since become industry standards.

In 2017, WEST expanded into Canada by opening an office in Calgary, Alberta, and has since expanded into Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick.

WEST and WEST staff have worked on over 200 renewable energy projects in Canada, including : British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Currently, these projects involve constraints analyses, pre- and post-construction surveys, environmental assessment, monitoring, mitigation, expert testimony, and research for wind, solar, battery, and power line clients.

In our continued drive to provide outstanding professional consulting services and original solutions to a wide range of natural resource problems, we are looking for an experienced Senior Ecologist.

Number of positions available : 1

Positions Type : Permanent / Full Time

Location : Saskatchewan

Tentative Start Date : January 6, 2025

Job Closing : Open until filled

Pay : $90,000 - $100,000+ (CAD)

Benefits : WEST Benefits

The Senior Ecologist will be primarily responsible for coordinating and managing our Saskatchewan projects, but also other Canadian projects.

The ideal candidate will have experience and expertise in ecological study design, project management, environmental consulting, and business development.

Primary duties may include :

• Marketing WEST and performing business development activities (e.g., social events with prospective and existing clients).
• Attending conferences, trade shows, and client meetings.
• Project management activities including developing budgets and writing proposals.
• Coordinating and / or assisting with the coordination of field activities for other staff on multiple projects, which may include scheduling fieldwork, providing datasheets and survey methodology, coordinating housing, vehicles, and field supplies, answering questions in a timely manner, and filing and managing completed datasheets.
• Direct environmental technical aspects of multiple small to large-scale planning projects and teams.
• Coordinate with local / provincial / federal agencies, First Nations, and the public in support of client-directed project work.
• Performing fieldwork, as needed.
• Providing training and support to field technicians.
• Assess ecological effects and interpret results of studies and apply results with consideration of biological applicability.
• Writing reports, reviewing reports, meeting client reporting format requirements and deadlines, and providing quality assurance of data.
• Promote WEST’s core values of quality client service and a collaborative team approach while maintaining a positive and respectful work atmosphere.
• Staff may work independently or in small crews and must be able to communicate and coordinate, effectively and professionally, with clients and colleagues.

This is a general description of the requirements for this position and is not inclusive of all duties which may be associated with this position.

Job Requirements

Job Requirements :

• Legally allowed to work in Canada
• Completed bachelor’s degree or higher in the biological sciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline and at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with renewable projects, including wind, solar, or battery storage.
• Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions.
• Ability to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g., Enterprise).
• Competent in Microsoft Office (advanced knowledge of Word and Excel) and ArcGIS / QGIS.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well under time constraints and meet deliverable targets and deadlines, with high personal accountability, and minimal supervision.
• Experience in wildlife surveys, statistical analysis, wetland delineations, plant identification, or other areas of ecology.
• At least two years of Project Management experience, including budgeting, and proposal writing experience, professional scientific experience, and a track record of maintaining positive relationships with coworkers, clients or stakeholders.
• Must have excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and relationship building aptitude.

Other Desired Skills :

• Experience with projects in other provinces.
• Previous experience consulting with the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment.
• Ability and experience leading wildlife surveys in accordance with the Saskatchewan Species Detection Survey Protocols.
• Experience with construction or environmental monitoring.
• Environmental consulting experience in mining, linear development (e.g., pipelines, power lines), oil and gas, and governmental projects.

Successful candidates must be able to provide a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company.

Successful candidates must also be able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients.

Candidates must be capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, family status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law.

Education Bachelor's Degree Salary Grade Exemption Type Application Deadline