Your Opportunity

Stantec has an opportunity for an intermediate Aquatic Ecotoxicologist to join our Aquatics team in Burnaby, British Columbia. The ideal candidate has a graduate degree that focused on aquatic ecotoxicology, with several years of applied research or consulting experience, and excellent analytical and writing skills. An understanding of the fate and effects of metals (particularly mercury and selenium), hydrocarbons, and other persistent contaminants in freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments, including water, sediment, and biotic tissues, would be an asset. 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. The successful candidate will join our team as an Aquatic Ecotoxicologist with a focus on supporting aquatic ecological risk assessments, environmental effects assessments, aquatic effects monitoring studies, and ecotoxicological assessment and modeling. As an Aquatic Ecotoxicologist, you will work as part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team on projects primarily based in British Columbia and the Yukon, with opportunities to contribute to projects across Canada. This role provides a chance to apply your scientific expertise in a meaningful way while growing your career in a supportive environment.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, manage, and support aquatic ecotoxicology work for a variety of projects in accordance with provincial, territorial, and federal guidance, or other standard methods employed by Stantec
• Manage and interpret biological and/or chemical data
• Familiarity with freshwater ecology and knowledge of current provincial and federal government regulatory requirements.
• Proven technical, communication, writing and organization skills.
• Design field sampling programs for baseline characterization, fate transport, and effects assessment, of chemical parameters in the aquatic environment
• Develop and conduct aquatic effects monitoring plans
• Perform statistical analyses for ecotoxicological applications such as environmental effects monitoring, investigation of cause, and ecological risk assessments
• Perform fate, speciation, and effects modeling for contaminants in aquatic ecosystems
• Perform bioaccumulation and biomagnification modeling in aquatic ecosystems
• Develop site-specific water quality objectives, Science-based Environment Benchmarks, and toxicity thresholds following provincial or federal guidance and best available science
• 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
• Understand the synergistic, antagonistic, and cumulative effects of contaminants in freshwater and marine environments
• Detailed knowledge of provincial and federal water quality guidelines for the protection of freshwater aquatic life
• Experience compiling, processing, analyzing, and maintaining large water and sediment quality datasets, and keeping clear processing records for downstream users of datasets
• Write clear, concise and accurate technical reports, on time and on budget
• Work on multi-projects and to solve problems in a fast-paced work environment
• 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)
• 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 PhD degree, or a Master of Science degree with 3-5 years of related experience, preferably in Canada, focusing on aquatic ecotoxicology. Relevant consulting experience is required.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

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.