Botanist / Environmental Scientist

North York, ON

We are a Canadian, employee-owned company that provides specialized environmental and engineering consulting services throughout Ontario.  The firm has offices in Toronto, Hamilton, Oshawa and Ottawa, and its multi-disciplinary team includes more than 100 full-time professionals, including environmental engineers, biologists, hydrogeologists, geotechnical engineers, and support staff. 

We have integrity, technical excellence, respect, personal service, and practical approach.  Our staff prides themselves on their reputation for quality work, which is reflected by the firm’s steady growth since its founding in 1995.

Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking an enthusiastic, goal-oriented individual with a passion for plants and excellent technical writing skills to join its growing Ecology Group.  This is a full-time, permanent position with flexible working arrangements.  The successful candidate will:

• Complete botanical inventories and targeted surveys for plant species at risk.
• Delineate vegetation communities using standard protocols such as Ecological Land Classification (ELC) for Southern Ontario and the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES).
• Use background information and the results of fieldwork to identify and assess the significance and sensitivity of natural heritage features and functions.
• Assess the potential impacts of development on natural heritage features and functions, and develop technical recommendations to avoid or mitigate these impacts.
• Lead or contribute to the preparation of Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Evaluations and similar technical reports.
• Prepare detailed plans to restore/enhance vegetation communities and fish and wildlife habitat.
• Interact with municipal, MECP, Conservation Authority and other government agency staff.
• Prepare and submit regulatory permitting and approval applications.
• Support other elements of project delivery as required.

This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate who is looking to advance their career by applying their botanical knowledge and technical writing skills to a variety of projects as part of a multi-disciplinary professional team.  If you are an energetic, motivated professional who believes that good work makes a difference, This is the place for you!

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• University degree in botany or a closely related field (e.g. Ecology, Arboriculture). A post-graduate degree is considered an asset.  
• Minimum three years of experience working at an environmental consulting firm, conservation authority, MECP or similar agency, preferably with at least two years of experience in the private sector.
• Ability to undertake fieldwork in a variety of outdoor conditions.
• Knowledge of the biology and distribution of Ontario flora, particularly plant species at risk.
• Vascular plant identification skills sufficient to conduct floristic surveys. Knowledge of challenging taxa such as grasses, sedges, rushes and willows is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of standard botanical field techniques. Certification in Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario (ELC) and/or the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) is desired but not required (We will provide training if required).  International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification is considered an asset.
• Experience with the collection, analysis, management and interpretation of ecological data.
• Familiarity with environmental legislation (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Invasive Species Act) and policy documents such as the Provincial Policy Statement and Natural Heritage Reference Manual.
• Excellent technical writing skills with a demonstrated ability to contribute to the preparation of detailed technical reports.
• Willingness to travel and work outside of normal working hours, particularly during the field season.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including WORD, EXCEL, Outlook and TEAMS.
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
• Valid Class G Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle.

Why Work Here?

Our biologists believe that a career in applied ecology is more than just a job, and that quality work can make a difference.  As a key member of our growing Ecology Group, you will have the opportunity to apply your skills to a variety of interesting projects, accelerate your professional development, and help to build the foundation for our future growth and development.  

If you share our passion for the natural world, and are looking for a firm that will support your professional development and personal pursuit of excellence, then this is the place for you! 

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

We are committed to providing a diverse and barrier-free work environment in concert with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.  As such, we will make accommodations available to applicants with disabilities upon request during the recruitment process.

We have implemented a COVID-19 Plan and associated policies and procedures.  It should be noted that We currently require all persons joining the Company to be fully vaccinated, as defined by Health Canada, or to provide satisfactory documentation indicating the individual has a bona-fide medical condition or other such recognized status as stipulated under the Human Rights Code that would support an accommodation.

Disclaimer:  Unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted from vendors, including recruiting, search and staffing agencies in the absence of a signed recruitment agreement shall not be considered binding and will become the company property .