Wood Infrastructure is currently seeking an Ontario West Senior Aquatic Lead to join our longstanding and rapidly growing practice discipline in Cambridge, Ontario.

Wood’s environmental practitioners have a proven track record of developing innovative solutions that address the long-term needs of our clients. Our client base includes federal, state, provincial and municipal governments; ADM, PPP and Design-Build entities; airports; railroads and transit agencies; ports; mining, oil and gas exploration; energy providers; and private industry. We provide a comprehensive range of transportation services from planning and environmental studies to preliminary and final design, construction administration, and operations and rehabilitation.

The Ontario West Senior Aquatic Lead will have a background in leading teams of aquatic biologists / ecologists and implementing programs in the successful delivery of aquatic ecosystem assessments and monitoring studies. The candidate will be well-versed in all applicable Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations relating to aquatic environments and will have demonstrated experience in navigating permitting and authorization processes as they relate to infrastructure development projects. This candidate will also possess a sound background in study design and biostatistics.

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading projects / tasks associated with the implementation of technical and scientific knowledge, training and experience for projects and proposals in fish habitat ecology, fisheries biology and aquatic ecology, including:
  • Study design, application of methodologies and techniques for field, laboratory and office work, data management, statistical analysis and formal report preparation
  • Fish habitat protection strategies and preparing fish and fish habitat environmental impact assessments and mitigation design concepts
• Leading, managing and/or providing senior technical guidance to field crews
• Preparing and reviewing documents to ensure high quality proposals and reports are delivered
• Working with our aquatics team and other disciplines throughout southern Ontario, and beyond as required
• Working with staff and clients to define compliant and efficient work scopes
• Delivering high quality work products on time and within budget
• Leading aquatic, fish and fish habitat evaluations for various types of multi-disciplinary projects and developments in sectors with a focus on linear infrastructure and mining
• Liaising with internal and external clients and regulators
• Mentoring intermediate and junior staff
• Preparing proposals and defined work packages in response to client needs
• Assisting in business development and client interactions, including presentations

The successful candidate will possess:

• University degree in Biology, Ecology, or Environmental Sciences
• Minimum of 10 years of experience or equivalent
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and project management skills
• Experience providing technical review of consulting reports
• Experience with working on large multidisciplinary projects, as discipline lead or other defined role
• Extensive experience in working with Ontario and Federal regulations governing fish habitat, fish, surface water, and environmental protection; with emphasis on obtaining permits and interpreting permit requirements from relevant agencies and supporting  permit compliance
• Experience leading and developing programs associated with benthic and/or fish community surveys, water and sediment quality assessments and associated short to long term monitoring
• Experience with collection methodologies, guidelines and programs including but not limited to; Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) program, Ontario Stream Assessment Program (OSAP), Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN), and Provincial Fisheries and Assessment Protocols
• Ability to direct and/or scope aquatic ecosystem health assessments for monitoring projects
• Excellent planning skills for field logistics and equipment
• Available for business travel and extended working hours, as required, and capable of working long and varied hours
• Working knowledge of transportation / linear infrastructure - related environmental practices and aquatic effects
• Project management skills including budget tracking and billings
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring and team-building skills
• Valid Class 'G' driver's license

The following skills would be an asset:

• Current listing in the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Registry, Appraisal and Qualification System (RAQS) under the Natural Sciences, Fisheries Assessment or Fisheries Compliance During Contracts and/or Environmental Inspection During Construction Specialties
• Excellent to advanced knowledge of study design and biostatistical methods and tools
• Experience with advanced statistical tools, specifically R coding and multivariate analysis
• Working knowledge of aquatic toxicology
• Demonstrated experience working on environmental issues with indigenous communities
• Experience with presenting technical information to the general public
• Application of the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (MDMER) and/or Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations (PPER) Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Guidelines
• Experience with Safety Program development and Hazard Assessment methods, working safely with motorized boats, ATVs, Argos, and scientific aquatic field collection equipment
• Publications in refereed scientific periodicals
• Familiarity and confidence in working on construction sites

Wood is a global leader in the delivery of project, engineering and technical services to energy and industrial markets. We operate in more than 60 countries, employing around 60,000 people, with revenues of over $10 billion.  We provide performance-driven solutions throughout the asset life cycle, from concept to decommissioning across a broad range of industrial markets, including the upstream, midstream and downstream oil & gas, power & process, environment and infrastructure, clean energy, mining, nuclear, and general industrial sectors.  www.woodplc.com  

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.