Senior Aquatic Ecologist​/Fish Biologist

About The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Aquatic Ecologist / Fish Biologist with deep expertise supporting mining and nuclear sector projects across Ontario and throughout Canada. The successful candidate will lead aquatic baseline studies, impact assessments, permitting, and mitigation strategies for complex industrial developments, expansions, refurbishments, and decommissioning projects. This senior technical and strategic role includes overseeing multi-disciplinary teams, advising clients on regulatory risks, and serving as a key subject-matter expert for high-profile projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead aquatic baseline studies tailored to mining and nuclear regulatory expectations, including fish community surveys, habitat mapping, hydrological/aquatic connectivity assessments, water quality and effluent interaction studies, and benthic invertebrate programs.
• Assess facility interactions with waterbodies, cooling systems, intake/outfall structures, contaminated sites, tailings areas, and realignment/diversion works.
• Lead analysis of cumulative effects, thermal effects, entrainment/impingement, mine-water discharge impacts, habitat alteration, and species-at-risk considerations.
• Develop mitigation, offsetting, and habitat compensation plans that meet Fisheries Act and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) requirements.

• Lead aquatic components of Fisheries Act authorizations (including habitat offsetting plans and monitoring programs), Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and Ontario Environment Act processes, CNSC Environmental project ion and licensing requirements, Species at Risk permits and habitat assessments, Mine closure planning,
• Provide strategic guidance on regulatory pathways, timelines, and risks for major mining and nuclear infrastructure projects.

Mining-Specific Responsibilities

• Lead aquatic assessments for tailings management areas, mine-water discharge pathways, watercourse realignments/diversions, and closure/reclamation planning.
• Support design and permitting of water management infrastructure (ditches, dams, intake/outfall systems, effluent treatment technologies).
• Interpret aquatic impacts associated with blasting, dewatering, pit expansion, tailings deposition, and acid rock drainage/metal leaching controls.

Nuclear-Specific Responsibilities

• Support aquatic assessments for nuclear station operations, new builds, refurbishments, cooling water systems, and thermal discharge evaluations.
• Lead entrainment/impingement studies, population modelling, and SARN/EA documentation for CNSC and Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) reviews.
• Oversee environmental protection measures related to radiological and non-radiological aquatic pathways.

Project Management

• Manage complex aquatic components of multi-million-dollar mining and nuclear projects.
• Lead teams through data collection, modeling, assessment, reporting, and permitting stages.
• Ensure deliverables meet regulatory, QA/QC, and client requirements.

Client, Agency & Indigenous Engagement

• Collaborate with federal/provincial regulators, including DFO, CNSC, IAAC, MECP, and Conservation Authorities.
• Support consultation with Indigenous Nations and provide clear, science-based communication on potential aquatic effects.
• Prepare technical presentations, meeting materials, and responses to regulator and reviewer comments.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide guidance, coaching, and technical oversight to aquatic scientists and interdisciplinary team members.
• Support recruitment and development of the aquatic science group at the senior/principal level.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Professional designation preferred (e.g., R. P. Bio., P. Biol., P.Eng., P. Geo., or equivalent).
• Electro-fishing and field safety certifications are assets.
• 10 to 15 years of demonstrated experience in aquatic ecology/fisheries consulting.
• Proven track record working with mining and/or nuclear clients in Ontario or comparable jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated success delivering aquatic programs under the Fisheries Act, CNSC, Impact Assessment Act, and…