Environmental Field Technician

Higher Ground Consulting (HGC) is seeking an environmental technician to join our Environment and Regulatory team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in both field and office‑based settings, with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers throughout the lifecycle of projects. The successful applicant’s work will be focused on supporting the completion of environmental field work including water quality sampling for both surface and groundwater, regulatory monitoring, and potentially support other environmental field programs including wetlands, wildlife, and vegetation.

The successful applicant should anticipate and enjoy a range of field programs throughout the year with a field focus in the summer months.

• Work closely with project managers and technical staff to plan, organize and execute environmental field programs. All programs require strong safety focus and attention to detail. Programs may include:
  • Liaison with environmental laboratories and companies for equipment and supplies and sample analysis
  • Following standard field protocols and QA/QC practices
  • Collection of standard field parameters including pH, EC, temperature, DO, REDOX using various devices such as YSI, Eagle, etc.
  • Collection of water levels both manually and/or utilizing devices such as transducers
  • Developing groundwater wells using various techniques such as bailers, low flow sampling, etc.
  • Collection of water and soil samples submission to accredited laboratories using standard techniques
  • Collection of additional water parameters such as stream flow, turbidity and/or field filtering
  • Sample management including labelling, organization, laboratory coding and chain of custody paperwork
  • Completion of safety and technical field paperwork
  • Data management and organization
• Liaise with clients, regulators, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders as needed.
• Support a close knit and supportive multi‑disciplinary teams including biologists, hydro geologists, indigenous community members, and engineers.

• Wetland monitoring programs may include water quality and quantity assessment and vegetation assessment.
• Fish programs may include aquatic habitat and fish assessments to identify and classify water bodies and watercourses, determine fish habitat potential as well as developing mitigations for work in aquatic ecosystems. This includes water quality & quantity monitoring, fish assessment and mitigations, watercourse crossing inspections, and other similar activities as needed.
• Wildlife programs may include sensitive species surveys, Camera/ARU monitoring deployment and development, nest sweeps, bird surveys, habitat assessments, and other similar activities as needed.
• Environmental drilling and/or test pitting for collection of subsurface soil samples and/or installation of groundwater monitoring wells including logging and supervision of drill rig.
• Support the preparation of environmental assessment reports, regulatory applications, and permit documentation (e.g. Section 11, DFO Request for Review, Code of Practice, Water Act applications etc.).

• Technical Diploma in an environmental program or bachelor’s degree
• Existing and relevant field experience focused on conducting water quality field programs such as groundwater and surface water monitoring programs in Western Canada
• Experience with trucks, highway driving, and lease access in rural areas.
• Adaptable to a flexible work schedule and willing to travel to project sites and work out of town as needed including:
  • Ability to travel to locations for up to two weeks at a time
  • Willingness to work overtime as required, particularly while working in the field and balance personal and team scheduling in a collaborative approach during busy seasons
  • Capable of working in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow, while maintaining safety and productivity.
  • This role may require prolonged periods of physical activity and exposure to uneven terrain or other environmental factors.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Flexible working style and willingness…