Ecologist

Job Description

AECOM is seeking a highly motivated Intermediate Terrestrial / Wetland Ecologist to join our growing Environment team in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This role is intended for a self-directed consulting professional with strong field and reporting experience in wetland assessment and delineation, vegetation and botanical surveys, avian surveys, and Species at Risk surveys.

The successful candidate will help deliver ecology, environmental assessment, permitting, and environmental management assignments across Nova Scotia and broader Atlantic Canada, while working as part of an integrated, multi-disciplinary team of scientists, planners, engineers, and technical specialists.

Job responsibilities include but aren’t limited to the following:

• Leading wetland assessments and delineations, vegetation and botanical inventories, avian surveys, wildlife surveys, and Species at Risk habitat screenings.
• Planning, coordinating, and safely executing environmental field programs, including logistics, supporting subcontractor co-ordination, field data collection, and QA/QC of field records.
• Preparing and contributing to technical reports, baseline studies, environmental impact assessments, permitting documents, environmental management plans, monitoring reports, and regulatory submissions.
• Interpreting field results in relation to applicable provincial and federal regulatory requirements, including requirements relevant to wetlands, wildlife, Species at Risk, migratory birds, and habitat protection.
• Supporting proposal development, including technical approach, level of effort, assumptions, scheduling, staffing plans, and project experience write-ups.
• Working with project managers to support project delivery, including scope planning, schedule coordination, budget tracking inputs, meeting notes, client communications, and deliverable coordination.
• Collaborating with adjacent Environment disciplines as AECOM continues to grow its Atlantic ecology practice, including support for site assessment and remediation for contaminated sites (surface/groundwater monitoring and sampling, soil sampling, air sampling, Phase II ESA drilling and reporting) where appropriate.
• Following AECOM Safety, Health and Environment requirements and quality management processes, and helping promote safe, practical, and high-quality field delivery.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Degree or diploma in biology, ecology, environmental science, botany, wildlife biology, or a related discipline.
• 4+ years of relevant experience, or demonstrated equivalency, in environmental consulting, industry, government, academia, Indigenous-led environmental programs, or another directly relevant setting.
• Demonstrated experience conducting wetland assessments and delineations (holds WESP-AC certifications), vegetation and botanical surveys, breeding bird or other avian surveys, wildlife surveys, and Species at Risk habitat screenings.
• Working knowledge of environmental regulatory requirements in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada, including provincial wetland and wildlife requirements and relevant federal requirements such as the Species at Risk Act and Migratory Birds Convention Act.
• Experience preparing technical reports, field summaries, permit application support materials, or similar deliverables.
• Experience supporting proposals, workplans, scopes of work, or level-of-effort estimates.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with clients, regulators, colleagues, and subcontractors.
• Well organized, with strong time management, judgement, and attention to quality.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in site assessment and remediation is an asset.
• Experience with renewable energy, linear infrastructure, transportation, defence, municipal, port, coastal, or other infrastructure projects in Atlantic Canada.
• Experience coordinating small field teams, mentoring junior staff, and reviewing field data for completeness and quality.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Artificial intelligence will be used to support the screening, assessment, and selection of applicants for this role. Final hiring decisions are made by the hiring team.