Principal Consultant, Senior Fisheries Biologist

ERM is seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Consultant, Senior Fisheries Biologist in Vancouver, Calgary, Smithers, or Toronto. The successful applicant will be responsible for overseeing and implementing fisheries monitoring programs, environmental impact assessment, fish salvage programs, and baseline data collection programs at mining and energy sector sites across Canada, and for providing senior technical review, oversight, and advice to the fisheries and aquatic disciplines. This is a great opportunity to work with a leading consulting firm working on large-scale capital projects, often in remote locations.

We want to do great things; we need your help!

ERM is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, and social consulting services with offices in over 40 countries. We have worked with many of the Global Fortune 500 companies delivering innovative solutions for clients, helping them understand and manage the sustainability challenges that the world is increasingly facing. The breadth of experience over our 50-year history means we have an extraordinary track record and excel at taking on complex and challenging projects.

Our clients are primarily in the mining and oil & gas sectors, and we support water management through all phases of the project life cycle. We are currently engaged in exciting, transformative projects with major clients.

As a senior fisheries biologist, you will be a member of the Fisheries and Aquatics team in Canada, working within a multidisciplinary community of toxicologists, geochemists, hydrologists, aquatic scientists, engineers, and wildlife biologists (among other disciplines), and will become a member of an extensive team of global environmental and social experts. This is an opportunity to contribute to fisheries environmental assessments and permitting for large-scale capital projects.

Your responsibilities:

• Oversee the design and implementation of fish and fish habitat field programs in streams, rivers, and lakes throughout Canada.
• Provide field support and guidance for complex fish salvage and construction monitoring projects.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to clients and internal staff.
• Lead the development and monitoring of fisheries offsetting and compensation programs.
• Compile, manage and analyze fish habitat, community, and biology data, and contribute to database management.
• Draft and review technical reports, including environmental monitoring, environmental permitting, and impact assessment.
• Provide senior technical oversight and quality control for data management and collection.
• Be accountable for the quality of deliverables and management of schedules and budgets.
• Contribute to proposal development, including development of technical scopes and cost estimates in accordance with ERM’s policies and processes.
• When required, direct and monitor phase management activities related to projects, including task delegation and direction, subcontractor management, health and safety protocol management, and interaction with clients.
• Actively contribute to ERM’s international aquatics and fisheries technical communities.

Who you are:

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Fisheries Biology, Natural Resource Management, or similar discipline. Or equivalent experience. 
• Registered Professional Biologist (or equivalent).
• 6+ years (15+ preferred) of environmental consulting experience.
• Field experience in fish and fish habitat assessment, environmental construction monitoring, fish salvage, and aquatic biology.
• Experience designing and overseeing field programs in remote locations, including managing complex logistics and multiple teams (project management experience an asset).
• Experience with mining, oil and gas projects, and/or hydroelectric development  would be an asset.
• Experience working with a variety of project stakeholders, including Indigenous groups, government agencies, and the public.
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary teams to design and deliver fisheries projects, including in-stream flow assessments, offsetting plans, environmental assessments, and monitoring programs.
• Strong commitment to safety, including following established Health & Safety procedures.
• Strong knowledge of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial regulations and guidelines as they apply to the mining and oil & gas sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment with the ability to multi-task, maintain flexibility, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor junior staff.
• Willingness to travel and conduct field work in remote locations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Driver’s License Required: This position requires a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.