Intermediate Aquatics Biologist

Job Title: Intermediate Aquatics Biologist

Employment: Full-Time / Permanent

Location: Calgary, AB and area

If you love what you do, thrive in an awesome company culture and are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences, this role is for you!

About AJM Environmental:

AJM Environmental provides aquatics, wildlife, wetland, vegetation, and geospatial & data services in support of responsible development. Our work spans pre-development assessments, regulatory approvals, and environmental monitoring, with a focus on delivering fit-for-purpose solutions that simplify environmental and regulatory challenges while balancing economic activity and environmental stewardship. We are committed to delivering meaningful, high-value outcomes for our clients.

AJM offers a fast-paced, flexible work environment with a high degree of autonomy. Our strong culture is consistently identified by our team as a key reason people choose to work - and stay - at AJM. We are an equal opportunity employer and value the diverse perspectives that drive innovation, creativity, and effective problem-solving. Safety is foundational to everything we do. 

Position Overview:

This posting is for an Intermediate Aquatics Biologist who will be an integral part of the growing AJM team. The successful candidate(s) will be responsible for managing and/or implementing aquatic field programs of varied purpose, scope, and scale. Supporting other bio-physical disciplines may also be a reality of this role, depending on the successful candidate and role. The following characteristics appeal to the ideal candidate:

• Fast-paced and dynamic environment;
• A growing company where efforts are recognized;
• Ability to influence and learn about a variety of aspects of the environmental industry; and
• Great team and culture!

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Support design and planning of and lead in the implementation of aquatics discipline field programs;
• Conduct fieldwork in a safe, technically defensible, and efficient manner;
• Manage or lead field crews and take ownership of crew safety including leading by example and mentoring junior staff on safety;
• Analyze or supervise field data synthesis and develop responsible management and mitigation recommendations;
• Write clearly and succinctly to convey environmental considerations and results to clients;
• Support development of regulatory applications;
• Support business development efforts through formal (e.g., proposal writing) and informal (e.g., networking events) avenues;
• Maintain technical skills through formal and on-the-job opportunities; and
• Work independently, often outside of office hours, to meet challenging deadlines and client requests.

Mandatory Qualifications:

• University degree(s) in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline (candidates with a relevant technical diploma and considerable relevant work experience may be considered);
• Registered as a Professional Biologist in Alberta and/or BC (P.Biol and/or R.P. Bio);
• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience working in the Canadian Regulatory environment (consulting experience preferred);
• Meets criterium to provide Qualified Aquatic Environmental Specialist (QAES) (Alberta), Qualified Environmental Professional (BC) and/or Qualified Person (Saskatchewan) advise in support of responsible development activities;
• Crew Lead Backpack Electrofishing Certification from Natural Resources Training Group (or other WorkSafe BC recognized vendor) and at least 3 years experience;
• Experienced and confident in aquatic habitat classification/assessment for freshwater fishes of western Canada and spawning (e.g., redd) surveys - at least 3 years experience;
• Capable of leading environmental monitoring during construction projects near water (e.g., pipeline crossings, instream isolations) and provision of QAES/QP specifications;
• Experienced in fish passage/exclusion assessment of infrastructure (e.g., road crossings) and natural features;
• Physically fit and enjoys performing demanding field work;
• At least 3 years experience leading fisheries crews;
• Available for extended field work (up to 14 consecutive days, remote settings); and
• A valid class 5 drivers’ license, clean driving record and a minimum of 3 years auto insurance history.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging experience (2 years);
• Benthic Invertebrate sampling certification and 2 years experience (e.g., CABIN);
• Experience with habitat restoration/reclamation techniques (e.g., bioengineering);
• Experience implementing habitat offsetting monitoring programs;
• Valid WHMIS (2015), TDG, H2S Alive, Standard First Aid (with CPR) certification;
• Technical report development (you may be asked to provide 2 samples as lead author);
• Swiftwater Rescue Technician training; and
• Snorkel survey competency training or related experience.

Core Competencies & Attributes:

• A willingness to go the extra mile and a commitment to developing your career at AJM;
• A self-starter who thrives in a demanding environment working both as part of a team and independently;
• Ability to think outside the box in the absence of defined detail or precedence;
• Strong communication and technical writing skills;
• Experience providing guidance, mentorship and support to junior staff;
• Ability to learn and apply new technology (and have fun while doing so!);
• Willingness to work remotely and “get hands dirty” in the field;
• Personality that prioritizes finding solutions, takes initiative to apply troubleshooting skills, and an ability to fix equipment when working remotely;
• Attention to detail and commitment to proper equipment care and maintenance;
• Ability to prioritize competing initiatives, anticipate potential problems and deal with ambiguity;
• Excellent organizational skills and a strong sense of accountability;
• Passion for an active lifestyle and working outdoors, particularly on or near water, in all seasons;
• Willingness to support other bio-physical discipline tasks as needed; and
• An entrepreneurial spirit aligned with AJM’s culture and growth mindset!

Safety Requirement:

This role is considered safety-sensitive and will require the submission or a drivers abstract and a claims experience letter for proof of driving history, as well as the successful completion of drug screenings at various times during employment.

Interested in Joining AJM?

If this sounds like you, we would love to chat. Submit your resume and cover letter to let us know why you are a great fit!

This position will remain open until ideal candidates are found. We appreciate all applications received, but only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thanks for your interest!

To learn more about AJM Environmental, please visit: https://ajmenv.com/