Senior Aquatic Ecologist/Fish Biologist

Description

• Lead teams through data collection, modeling, assessment, reporting, and permitting stages.
• Support design and permitting of water management infrastructure (ditches, dams, intake/outfall systems, effluent treatment technologies).
• Collaborate with federal/provincial regulators, including DFO, CNSC, IAAC, MECP, and Conservation Authorities.
• Design and lead aquatic baseline studies tailored to mining and nuclear regulatory expectations, including fish community surveys, habitat mapping, hydrological/aquatic connectivity assessments, water quality and effluent interaction studies, and benthic invertebrate programs.
• Support recruitment and development of the aquatic science group at the senior/principal level.
• Prepare technical presentations, meeting materials, and responses to regulator and reviewer comments.
• Lead aquatic assessments for tailings management areas, mine-water discharge pathways, watercourse realignments/diversions, and closure/reclamation planning.
• Assess facility interactions with waterbodies, cooling systems, intake/outfall structures, contaminated sites, tailings areas, and realignment/diversion works.
• Ensure deliverables meet regulatory, QA/QC, and client requirements.
• Oversee environmental protection measures related to radiological and non-radiological aquatic pathways.
• Manage complex aquatic components of multi-million-dollar mining and nuclear projects.
• Develop mitigation, offsetting, and habitat compensation plans that meet Fisheries Act and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) requirements.
• Support consultation with Indigenous Nations and provide clear, science-based communication on potential aquatic effects.
• Lead aquatic components of Fisheries Act authorizations (including habitat offsetting plans and monitoring programs), Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and Ontario Environment Act processes, CNSC Environmental project ion and licensing requirements, Species at Risk permits and habitat assessments, Mine closure planning,
• Interpret aquatic impacts associated with blasting, dewatering, pit expansion, tailings deposition, and acid rock drainage/metal leaching controls.
• Lead analysis of cumulative effects, thermal effects, entrainment/impingement, mine-water discharge impacts, habitat alteration, and species-at-risk considerations.
• Support aquatic assessments for nuclear station operations, new builds, refurbishments, cooling water systems, and thermal discharge evaluations.
• Provide strategic guidance on regulatory pathways, timelines, and risks for major mining and nuclear infrastructure projects.
• Lead entrainment/impingement studies, population modelling, and SARN/EA documentation for CNSC and Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) reviews.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and technical oversight to aquatic scientists and interdisciplinary team members.

Requirements

• Ability to thrive in a high-stakes, fast-paced consulting environment.
• Proven track record working with mining and/or nuclear clients in Ontario or comparable jurisdictions.
• Electro-fishing and field safety certifications are assets.
• Strong understanding of freshwater systems, fish habitat, species-at-risk, and industrial aquatic stressors.
• Effective communicator with clients, regulators, Indigenous Nations, and the public.
• Small Commercial Vessel Operators Proficiency or equivalent
• Professional designation preferred (e.g., R. P. Bio., P. Biol., P.Eng., P. Geo., or equivalent).
• Demonstrated success delivering aquatic programs under the Fisheries Act, CNSC, Impact Assessment Act, and species-at-risk frameworks.
• Excellence in technical writing, data interpretation, and synthesis for regulatory audiences.
• Experience with hydrology and water quality interactions in industrial environments is a strong asset.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 10 to 15 years of demonstrated experience in aquatic ecology/fisheries consulting.
• Advanced project management, problem solving, and leadership skills.
• MEDA3 or equivalents;

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance