Senior Fisheries Biologist

About Mc Elhanney

Based in Western Canada for more than 110 years, McElhanney delivers innovative and practical services in engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental disciplines. We are a 100% employee‑owned firm with over 1,400 staff across 31 locations, offering share‑holding opportunities.

McElhanney seeks a Senior Fisheries Biologist who will shape the early design and planning of complex projects in cities, energy, and transportation. The role focuses on fish and fish habitat across baseline and impact assessments, habitat restoration, regulatory permitting, and environmental management.

• Lead all stages of environmental studies including design, data collection, interpretation, and reporting.
• Provide environmental advice and solutions to guide design and planning.
• Coordinate regulatory permitting for approvals, project reviews, authorizations, and fish salvages.
• Assist senior leaders with short‑and long‑term project planning.
• Design and implement habitat mitigation and compensation measures.
• Mentor junior and intermediate environmental staff.
• Coordinate or oversee Environmental Management and monitoring during construction.
• Support proposal preparation, business development, and delivery of repeat‑business work.
• Advocate the McElhanney Quality Management System, ISO 9001, and client‑specific quality, safety and environmental systems.

• 8+ years of experience in fish and fish habitat related to baseline assessments, impact assessment, and aquatic habitat restoration and design.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecological Restoration or a related field.
• Registration in good standing in British Columbia as an RPBio, or eligibility to register within 6 months.
• Experience with environmental regulatory permitting, fish inventory, habitat classification, and environmental management.
• Strong report‑writing and communication abilities.
• Experience liaising with clients, First Nations and government agencies.
• Valid BC driver’s licence required at time of hire.

Salary range: $95,000 – $140,000 per annum, commensurate with qualifications.

• Work‑life harmony with flexible hours.
• Comprehensive benefits: maternity and parental leave top‑up, health and dental coverage, RRSP matching, employee assistance.
• Safe & inclusive workplace culture.
• Attractive total compensation including bonus plan and share ownership potential.
• Professional development: dues, educational assistance, mentorship, workshops, committee involvement.
• Career progression support.
• Relocation assistance where applicable.

We celebrate diversity of ethnicity, religion, background, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, aboriginal status, age and disability, and welcome applications from all. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the selection process.