Assessment Biologist

Do you have a keen interest in fisheries, aquatic resources and ecosystems as well as a broad knowledge of fisheries and ecosystems-based management approaches for Lake Erie?

If so, then consider this exciting opportunity with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to develop and implement fisheries management and assessment programs and plans in Lake Erie.

What can I expect to do in this role?

As a part of the Lake Erie Management Unit team you will:

• design and implement complex, statistically valid fishery and aquatic resources surveys and perform complex biological, statistical, and population analysis on data acquired
• write and contribute to fish stock and aquatic resource status reports
• assist in developing lake-wide plans and make recommendations for fisheries management and rehabilitation
• consult and liaise with partners, public advisory committees and resource users on Lake Erie projects and plans
• integrate management information, resource status and ecological/population models to develop sustainable resource usage and/or rehabilitation strategies and targets
• plan, organize and implement projects to acquire information in support of rehabilitation of habitat, food webs and fish communities

How do I qualify?

Technical knowledge:

• You have advanced knowledge of theories, principles and practices of fish population assessment surveys, fish community structure, offshore and near-shore fishery habitat, fisheries structure and management, limnology, and the structure and function of food webs.
• You have applied knowledge of advanced statistics, population modeling, inventory techniques and procedures.
• You have applied knowledge of hydro-acoustics, including the use of the associated specialized sampling equipment and software.
• You have good working knowledge of the preparation and review of scientific and technical reports.
• You have the ability to interpret and work within relevant legislation, regulations and guidelines (i.e. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, Fisheries Act (Canada), Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Endangered Species Act, Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between Canada and the United States, etc.).

Analytical and problem solving skills:

• You have the ability to analyze, interpret and transfer results.
• You have well developed analytical skills to diagnose impairments and evaluate options.
• You have proven problem-solving skills to identify solutions to reduce or eliminate impairments of data collection.

Project management skills:

• You have proven project management skills to effectively design, budget and implement projects and work plans through to completion.

Relationship building and communication skills:

• You have the ability to communicate effectively to explain technical processes in plain language and also liaise with specialists.
• You have good negotiation and interpersonal skills to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment and with external clients.
• You have well developed written communications skills including the writing of draft scientific and technical reports.

Computer skills:

• You are proficient in maintaining large databases by entering, recovering, merging, tabulating and reformatting data.
• You are proficient with computers and software applications such as word processing, databases, graphics, internet, and electronic mail.
• You are proficient with specialized software such as Echoview, ArcMap and SAS.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

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 Tuesday, April 4, 2017 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

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