Wildlife/Terrestrial Biologist

Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), founded in 1990, has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States. In 2017, WEST expanded into Canada by opening an office in Calgary, AB, with staff now in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. 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 energetic and experiencedWildlife/Terrestrial Biologist to help with our upcoming 2024 field season.

Western EcoSystems Technology, ULC (WEST) provides ecological and biostatistical consulting services and contract research for industry, government, and private organizations. WEST combines ecology and statistics to address and solve natural resource and environmental challenges. Building on a science-based approach and foundational core principles, WEST has quickly grown to be one of the most respected and successful environmental and statistical consulting firms in North America, with offices across the US and now in Calgary, Alberta and Waterloo, Ontario.

WEST is driven by its principles and core values – providing scientifically defensible solutions, technical expertise, quality client service, satisfying careers, collaborative team approach, respectful atmosphere, and continual improvement. For over three decades, our employees have exemplified these principles and helped shape the foundation of what we do, who we are, and what we believe in. WEST employees are both collaborative and independent thinkers and doers that help develop solutions to natural resource and environmental problems, and those solutions have a real impact in the world around us. We invite you to be part of the solution.

Compensation: CAD $20 – CAD $30/hour

Number of positions available: 1

Location: Kingston, Ontario

Tentative Start Date: March 2024

Job Type: Temporary - Part-Time

Benefits: WEST Benefits

WEST is seeking an energetic and experienced Terrestrial / Wildlife Biologist to join our team. The successful candidate will work remotely and travel to project sites throughout Ontario, as needed. Office and field work will be undertaken in support of ecological studies, assessments, and plans for a variety of private and public sector projects such as renewable energy, land development, infrastructure, mining, forestry, and nature conservation.

Role and responsibilities include:

• Standardized bird migration, breeding bird, and other avian use surveys;
• Amphibian, reptile, and mammal surveys;
• Wildlife camera and bat acoustic detector setup and maintenance;
• Identification and mapping of significant wildlife habitats;
• Species at risk desktop reviews and targeted surveys;
• Background natural heritage information searches;
• Freshwater fish and mussel salvages;
• Field data QAQC, processing, and demobilization;
• Field data assessments, compilations, and preparing natural heritage mapping;
• Coordination of field studies following standard survey protocols
• Support reporting as needed: compiling tables and figures, report writing.

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

• Legally allowed to work in Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or have an existing VISA with no work restrictions) Please note: US citizens require a Canadian work visa to work in Canada;
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in environmental science, ecology, biology, zoology, or other related discipline from a recognized University or College;
• At least 2 years related work experience (ideally ecological consulting);
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys and field identification;
• Proven ability to identify >75% of bird species in eastern Canada by sight and sound;
• Comfortable working remotely, independently, and within a team environment;
• High level of initiative and ability to think critically to solve challenging problems;
• Demonstrates effective communication, organizational, and time management skills;
• Strong technical report writing, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills;
• Works well under time constraints and meet deliverable targets and deadlines;
• Ability to follow protocols and instructions from managers and accept guidance and constructive assessment;
• Willingness to perform physically demanding work in various weather conditions;
• Skilled in use of MS Office software applications (Word, Excel, etc.); and
• Valid Class G driver's licence

Desired Skills:

• Experience with trail camera and bat acoustic detector setup and maintenance;

• Experience using hand-held GPS and tablet data collection systems;

• Certification, training, or experience in established field survey protocols used in Ontario (e.g., OBBA, MMP, OBBN, ELC);
• Strong familiarity with the Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide (and Criteria Ecoregion Schedules) and Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario;
• Knowledge of federal and provincial legislation, policies, and guidelines (e.g., SARA, ESA, NHRM, etc.); and,
• Related volunteer work, hobbies, activities, or professional memberships

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.