Management Biologist

Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your expertise in biology and the management of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in a District with a range of diverse and rich ecosystems? Are you able to think big picture and able to problem solve in a creative way? If so, consider this challenging opportunity to join our team.

Aylmer District lies in the most southwestern part of Ontario and includes the most southerly inhabited area in Canada – Pelee Island. There are well over 1 million people living within the District boundaries which is organized into over 50 upper and lower tier municipalities and includes 8 first nation communities.

Aylmer District is situated in an intensively managed agricultural-industrial setting of which over 98% is privately owned. Despite this significant natural heritage features remain, including: over 75 earth and life science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSIs); significant Carolinian Canada sites, many of the species listed on the Species at Risk Ontario list under the Endangered Species Act, 2007, threatened remnant habitats such as tallgrass prairie and oak savannah, provincially significant wetlands and coastal marshes located on major North American flyways, significant deer and wild turkey populations, a mammal population that supports an active fur harvest industry, 850 km of shoreline of Lakes Erie, Huron and St. Clair; and 3,700 km of streams (25% cold water) with the major rivers being the Detroit, St. Clair, Sydenham and Thames.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:
• provide advice and support in the planning and delivery of the district resource management and land use planning initiatives
• provide biological knowledge and advice on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem management
• assist in the management of resource issues

How do I qualify?

Mandatory requirements:

• You have a valid class G driver's licence or equivalent as recognized by the Province of Ontario.
• You have the ability to work in the field under all types of weather conditions and fly in small aircraft.

Technical knowledge:

• You have knowledge of sustainable resource management, ecosystem management and landscape planning theories, principles and practices, with a focus on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, fish and wildlife habitat, population assessment and environmental impacts.
• You have up-to-date knowledge of and experience in the application of biological modelling tools, design of fish and wildlife surveys and wildlife harvest regulation systems.
• You are proficient with computers, internet, email and software applications including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, statistical, spatial, population and habitat modelling, databases, and geographic information systems.

People and planning skills:

• You have demonstrated leadership, negotiation and interpersonal skills to reconcile differing points of view and garner support from various stakeholders
You have an ability to build relationships (i.e. with internal staff and external stakeholders) and work well in teams.
• You have the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to explain technical information in plain language to clients, liaise with specialists and compose scientific and technical reports.
• You have proven project management and organizational skills to design, plan and lead scientific studies/survey projects, including preparing and managing project budgets.

Research, analytical and problem-solving skills:

• You have proven ability to gather, analyze and interpret resource management data in order to provide expertise and advice on ecological impacts of activities and management of resource issues.
• You have the ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation (e.g. Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act, Endangered Species Act, 2007), regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines.

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 Friday, February 5, 2016 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.