Environmental Scientist

Are you an environmental professional with a strong scientific background? If so, join our team and you will support the delivery of Ontario's water programs and make recommendations for the management and protection of Ontario's environmental resources.

Effective January 1st, 2024 the salary range for this position is $1,267.74 to $1,532.88 per week in compliance with OPSEU Unified Bargaining Unit collective agreement provisions. The new rates, effective retroactive to January 1, 2024, were recently confirmed and dates for implementation of the new salary rates are still to be determined.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:

• Provide scientific technical support to the ministry's provincial permit to take water program
• Evaluate and coordinate water taking permit applications, assessment and planning documents and prepare written reports and recommendations on your findings
• Assess anticipated environmental impacts and make recommendations for the protection and management of environmental resources
• Review reports and results of field studies to evaluate hydrological and ecological impacts of proposed and existing activities
• Carry out and interpret results of field studies
• Provide technical and regulatory information to permit applicants, consultants, and other stakeholders

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• The position requires knowledge typically gained through a degree in disciplines such as hydrology, biology, chemistry, water resources, hydrogeology, environmental planning, environmental science or geology/earth sciences, or equivalent experience.

Environmental and legislative knowledge:

• You have scientific and technical knowledge related to environmental resource management.
• You know the principles and practices of water resources management, environmental assessment and planning processes and risk assessment management.
• You can interpret and apply environmental legislation (e.g. Ontario Water Resources Act, Environmental Protection Act, Planning Act and Environmental Assessment Act), Freedom of Information legislation, and related policies, regulations, and guidelines.

Analytical skills:

• You have the ability to analyze and assess environmental data and suggest actions for the management and protection of environmental resources.
• You can interpret scientific and technical data and develop options and recommendations to address any gaps in information.

Communication and interpersonal skills:

• You can develop and maintain effective working relationships and have good customer service skills.
• You are able to explain technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• You can prepare a variety of written materials such as scientific reports, memos, correspondence, etc.
• You are familiar with issues management theories and techniques and can manage sensitive situations regarding contentious matters with tact and diplomacy.

Project management skills:

• You have demonstrated project management skills.
• You have experience working within tight time frames, managing workload and paying close attention to detail.

Computer proficiency:

• You are proficient using computers and common office productivity software, such as word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, etc. to support data analysis, evaluation and reporting.

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 Thursday, May 9, 2024 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.