Intermediate Aquatic Resources Biologist
Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We are a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that is critical to our clients and the communities we support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.
Stantec’s aquatic environmental services work in Canada spans habitats from open ocean to coastal rainforest to arctic tundra, and project diversity ranging from grassroots watershed management to cutting-edge mining and liquified natural gas developments. Our team includes nationally recognized experts in freshwater and marine ecology. A role with Stantec provides the support of leading scientists, with the opportunity to grow your career in multiple directions.
Your Opportunity
Stantec has an opportunity for an Intermediate Aquatic Resources Biologist (water quality, sediment quality, benthic communities) to join our Aquatics team. The position may be located in any of our offices in British Columbia however preference will be given to candidates located in the Lower Mainland.
As an Aquatic Resources Biologist, you will conduct exciting work with multi-disciplinary teams on varied projects across Canada, including work with civil and process engineers, hydrotechnical and habitat design specialists, fish biologists, geographic information specialists, and impact assessment practitioners. Your assignments will be broad, varied, and diverse, and will include providing mentorship to junior staff. You will also provide sound advice to clients, regulators, and Stantec team members. The successful candidate with join a team that works together to foster a collaborative culture with a focus on communication, mentorship, and opportunity.
The ideal candidate has experience developing and implementing complex water quality programs and assessments. Experience should include data analysis, environmental assessment and permitting, for a variety of projects and sectors. Work may include water sampling, water quality and ecotoxicology environmental effects assessments (i.e., Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessments), waste discharge authorization applications, environmental impact analyses, and environmental effects monitoring, in freshwater and marine environments. Reporting is a large component of this position and strong critical thinking, assessment and interpretation, and technical writing skills are assets. Data analysis skills such as advanced Excel skills and/or functional skills in R are assets. A strong background screening and assessing measured and/or modeled water quality data against provincial and federal water quality guidelines for the protection of freshwater aquatic life is essential.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Develop, lead, manage, and support water/sediment quality, ecotoxicology, and/or aquatic resource components (benthic communities) of projects
- Design field sampling programs for baseline characterization, fate transport, and effects assessment, of chemical parameters in the aquatic environment
- Understand current techniques for sampling and analysis of aquatic resource data from streams, rivers and lakes
- Develop and maintain large water quality datasets
- Assist with design and development of water quality models to support effects assessment for freshwater and marine environments
- Interpret water quality data in relation to aquatic biota, livestock, and/or human health
- Perform statistical analyses of water quality data to detect spatial and temporal trends, significant differences, and guideline exceedances
- Technical writing and report preparation
- Write and/or support development of proposals, work with business developers to engage clients
- Lead potentially complex field work (requiring development of daily priorities, study design adjustments based on field realities to meet project objectives) with opportunities to travel around BC, AB, NWT, NU and YK, as needed
- Provide mentorship to junior staff and be an active learner
- Actively participate in Stantec's Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Program to promote a strong health and safety culture at work and at home, including following Stantec safe work practices for field programs
Your Capabilities and Experience
- Application of federal and provincial legislation and regulations and municipal bylaws in an environmental consulting context, such as regulatory requirements for aquatic environments or water and sediment quality guidelines
- Detailed knowledge of provincial and federal water quality guidelines for the protection of freshwater aquatic life
- Experience screening measured and/or modeled water quality data against provincial and federal water quality guidelines, with a strong understanding of how site-specific water chemistry is used to calculate variable guidelines.
- Experience compiling, processing, analyzing, and maintaining large water quality datasets, and keeping clear processing records for downstream users of datasets.
- Experience interpreting analytical laboratory results and identifying/addressing potential quality assurance/quality control issues associated with measured water quality data
- Understanding of how water influences biological communities
- Experience with designing studies to meet specific objectives
- Developing field programs and leading field crews
- Experience applying advanced statistical analyses is an asset
- Writing clear, concise and accurate technical reports, environmental assessment application chapters, and other industry documents
- Preparing permit applications and working with clients and regulators
- Supporting mentorship and field training of junior staff
- Willingness to travel for project work
- Strong interpersonal and social skills, including in-person and online collaboration
- Excellent attention to detail, time management skills and organizational skills
- Proficiency with technology including the Microsoft suite of software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint)
- Familiarity with ESRI field data collection products
- Ability to lift and move items and equipment up to 23 kg (i.e., carrying field equipment and samples).
Education and Experience
Applicants must be registered with the British Columbia College of Applied Biology as an RBTech or RPBio, or be eligible to immediately apply for registration. Other professional designations may be considered if relevant to the posted position.
A minimum of a B.Sc. in one of the environmental sciences (e.g., toxicology, biology, chemistry) and five years of professional experience related to aquatic biology and water quality, or M.Sc. with four years of professional experience are required. Relevant consulting experience is required.
Our typical office environment involves working with computers and remaining relatively sedentary. Stantec offers a flexible work arrangement for desk-based tasks including working from Stantec office locations, working from home, or a mix depending on the situation. Field work may include exposure to inclement weather, and travel through rough and remote terrain, carrying equipment.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best