Employment Type: Full-time, combination of office and field work (70:30)
Experience: 10 or more years
Location: Red Deer County, AB (hybrid office/home)
Closing Date: Until suitable candidate is found
Starting Date: Immediate
About Solstice
Solstice provides customized environmental management services to a variety of First Nations partners, commercial, oil & gas and municipal development clients. Our goal is to leave behind a positive legacy that goes beyond the immediate projects we complete to empower our clients with sustainable solutions.
The Solstice team includes experts in soils, forestry, wildlife, hydrology, wetland and vegetation ecology, Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, remote-sensing, Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), risk management and monitoring, remediation, reclamation, hydrogeology and environmental regulatory and policy experts. You will be joining a company of innovators and change-makers to help deliver services and products, prioritizing efficiency, quality, and safety.
We offer flexible work options, a great team culture, health and wellness benefit options and an opportunity to be an important part of supporting the continued growth and success of our project partners.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Ecological Services Manager, Solstice is seeking a Senior Ecologist to manage, lead and support various ecological projects. Duties will include proposal and budget preparation, project management, leading field assessments, mentorship of junior staff in field assessment, regulatory approvals, advise and environmental assessment processes, and client relationship development. The candidate will be expected to execute field programs acting as a field and safety lead, as required.
The focus of the Ecological Services team is to:
- Develop, complete and support ecological projects/programs, across various industries in western Canada
- Provide services including environmental assessments and regulatory approvals, environmental compliance monitoring programs, biodiversity studies, pre-disturbance assessments
- Support the Solstice Remediation and Reclamation and Strategic Solutions teams
- Provide 3rd party review and support to client and partners
- Provide spill response services to key clients and partners
Experience
Minimum of 10 years experience in the environmental consulting industry, with direct experience in undertaking various environmental field programs related to ecological data collection for linear developments, transportation and development projects, and other industries.
Education
- B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, or other program with an environmental focus.
- Must be registered and in good standing with as a Professional Biologist (ASPB), Professional Agrologist (AIA) or equivalent with sign-off authority in Alberta. Signing authority as a Wetland Practitioner (QWSP) under the provincial Wetland Policy is an asset.
Position Requirements
The suitable candidate for this position will require a diverse skill set in both the field and office components of environmental consulting. This includes a strong understanding of the consulting industry.
More specific position requirements include:
Project Management and Support
- Project management and leading teams, with strong organizational skills in establishing priorities, estimating timeframes, and meeting deadlines. Must be able to make independent decisions and ensure standards and quality of work are maintained.
- Possess creative problem-solving skills with a strong ability to assess and resolve problems or challenges as they arise and implement timely solutions.
- Ability to “simplify the science” for non-experts to help them understand complex environmental risks and opportunities in an uncomplicated way.
- Identify potential business development opportunities associated with current projects and drive solutions to remove obstacles and barriers
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills are required
- A strong communicator “who listens to understand,” not just to respond, and can discuss, explain, and consider all aspects of projects with other staff, industry peers and clients
Technical Expertise
- As a proven leader in environmental assessment, you will bring experience and expertise in the provision of technical and regulatory advice for the completion of ecological projects at both provincial and federal levels.
- Excellent understanding of environmental legislation applicable to our key industry sectors, including the regulatory and permitting processes at all levels of government (municipal, provincial, territorial and federal). Must have direct and applicable experience in navigating projects through various provincial permitting and approval processes including but not limited to the Alberta Water Act and Public Lands Act.
- Experience in directing and undertaking a variety of field programs with excellent field skills in general ecological data collection, including vegetation and wildlife inventory skills. Understanding of soils and water quality data collection is an asset. Ability to mentor and train junior and intermediate biologists and ecologists.
- Ability to travel as required to undertake field work.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills are required to manage multi-disciplinary project teams.
- Lead and/or work on a multi-disciplinary team to produce high quality environmental reports for a variety of clients and sectors.
- Demonstrated experience in technical and quality review of reporting and other deliverables.
Additional Requirements
- Self-starter who has strong ability to set goals and achieve those goals; work independently and possesses a willingness to learn.
- Field work and travel are important components of the work
- Knowledge of the oil and gas industry is an asset
- Proficiency in ArcGIS and statistical analysis is an asset.
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite of services
- Fluency in Cree, Dene, Sioux or Blackfoot would be an asset
Salary is negotiable and will be commensurate with experience. Please submit resume and cover letter. Only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Red Deer County, AB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- environmental consulting: 10 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Red Deer County, AB
