BIODIVERSITY SPECIES AT RISK BIOLOGIST

Are you passionate about conservation, biodiversity and the protection of our natural heritage and wild species? If so, consider this opportunity to bring your expertise to our team and gain unparalleled experience.

What can I expect to do in this role?

You will:
• provide ecological advice and support to clients on the protection and recovery of species at risk
• assist in the development of recovery strategies, management plans, habitat regulations, agreements, and permits
• participate in land use and resource management planning initiatives
• assist in the review of development proposals, aggregate applications, work permits, and environmental assessments and make recommendations
• design and lead the collection and management of species at risk information
• prepare correspondence, briefing materials, scientific and technical reports
• promote and develop partnerships

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

Mandatory requirements:
• You have a valid driver's licence.
• You have the ability to travel in fixed and rotary winged aircraft and operate and obtain your operator's licence or certification to operate a variety of equipment such as boats, motors, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, electrofishers to undertake field work in a variety of conditions.

Specialized skills and knowledge:
• You have strong biological skills and knowledge with emphasis on the concepts of biological rarity and the contributing factors; herpetology; identification of species and habitats of species at risk within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region; and population assessments and techniques.
• You have demonstrated knowledge of procedures and practices of biology, applied ecology, and project management to organize, design, lead, and implement field project proposals, problem solve, analyze data, and evaluate research projects.
• You have proven ability to interpret and apply related legislation such as Endangered Species Act, Planning Act, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Crown Forest Sustainability Act, Species at Risk Act and Fisheries Act, procedures and guidelines in order to provide advice to clients, participate in planning initiatives and to assist with the development of local agreements and permits for the protection and recovery of species at risk.
• You have experience with recovery planning processes, document development, action planning, team organization and management.

Other important skills:
• You have strong communication skills that include the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences such as First Nations, municipalities, industry, consultants and landowners to provide advice, prepare agreements, letters, briefing materials and technical reports, and to present before courts, tribunals and boards.
• You have tact, sound judgment, interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution and facilitation skills to manage conflict, facilitate meetings, build consensus, resolve user conflicts, and develop partnerships and agreements.
• You have experience using a variety of software such as word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, Geographic Information System (GIS), and data base systems such as Natural Resource Values Information System (NRVIS) to analyze data and prepare reports.


Note: The successful candidate will be paid at and allocated to the appropriate level in the class series (Biologist 2A/2B) in accordance with his/her professional expertise as they relate to the requirements of the position.

Less qualified applicants may be considered on an underfill basis.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 16, 2012 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.