Senior Consultant - Terrestrial Ecology

Grow your career with a global sustainability leader while helping shape responsible development across Canada’s mining and energy sectors.

ERM is seeking a Senior Consultant, Terrestrial Ecology to join our Calgary, Alberta office. In this role, you will contribute to impactful environmental assessments, ecosystem studies, wetland and soil investigations, and permitting efforts that support major mining, energy, power, and infrastructure projects throughout Western and Northern Canada. This position offers significant opportunities for technical growth, client engagement, business development, and future leadership within ERM's multidisciplinary biodiversity practice.

Why This Role Matters?

As a member of ERM's ecosystem team, you will serve as a terrestrial ecologist supporting projects across Western Canada, with opportunities to contribute in other jurisdictions nationwide. You will play a key role in advancing environmental stewardship through baseline data collection, terrestrial ecosystem mapping, wetland assessments, soil classification, environmental effects assessments, and mitigation planning. Your expertise will help clients navigate complex environmental challenges while supporting sustainable development objectives.

What Your Impact Is:

This role offers the opportunity to work alongside a large network of biodiversity professionals in Canada and collaborate with ERM's global environmental and social experts. The successful candidate will have opportunities to interact directly with clients, regulators, Indigenous communities, and project stakeholders while developing into a future leader within the ecosystem team.

What You'll Bring:

Required

• B.Sc. degree in environmental sciences or a related field.
• 3+ years of environmental consulting experience; experience within government, mining, energy sectors, or First Nation consultation is considered an asset.
• Designation as a Qualified Professional in Alberta and/or British Columbia, or immediate eligibility.
• Experience with federal, provincial, and territorial regulations and guidelines related to survey methodologies, environmental assessment, and mitigation planning.
• Strong upland and wetland plant identification skills.
• Detailed understanding of rare plant and invasive plant survey methodologies in accordance with provincial standards, guidelines, and procedures.
• Detailed understanding of terrestrial ecosystem mapping under relevant provincial classification systems, including Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC).
• Detailed understanding of soil surveys and mapping under relevant provincial systems.
• Strong commitment to safety and adherence to established health and safety protocols.
• Ability to follow direction while demonstrating initiative and independent judgment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• M.Sc. degree preferred in environmental sciences or a related field.
• Environmental assessment and associated permitting experience within British Columbia, Alberta, and Northern Canada.
• Experience completing terrestrial ecosystem mapping projects in British Columbia in accordance with applicable provincial standards, guidelines, and procedures.
• Experience supporting mining, energy, power, or infrastructure development projects.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and consultation processes.
• Demonstrated interest in business development and building long-term client relationships.
• Interest in mentoring and providing future leadership to junior professionals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute terrestrial ecology and soil science field programs primarily throughout British Columbia, Alberta, and Northern Canada.
• Support the preparation of environmental effects assessments and associated management plans in compliance with applicable federal, provincial, and territorial requirements.
• Assist with the development of environmental permitting applications for mining, energy, power, and infrastructure projects.
• Conduct terrestrial ecosystem and soil mapping projects to support baseline environmental studies.
• Perform wetland classification, delineation, and management activities in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines.
• Complete vegetation, ecosystem, and soil field investigations and contribute to mitigation planning.
• Support project delivery through field surveys, data collection, literature reviews, technical report preparation, and development of client recommendations.
• Manage multiple project tasks within scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.
• Communicate effectively with subcontractors, regulatory agencies, landowners, Indigenous communities, and clients during project execution.
• Contribute to team development and collaborate with ecologists, soil scientists, and other multidisciplinary specialists.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with ERM colleagues across Canada and globally.

For the Senior Consultant, Terrestrial Ecology position, the anticipated annual base pay is $76,800–$99,000 (CAD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible). 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees. 

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. 

ERM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

ERM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, Indigenous identity, or status as a protected veteran or qualified individual with a disability.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Notice Regarding Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Hiring

• Our organization uses artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to assist in the recruitment process. These tools may help screen, assess, and/or evaluate applicants based on information provided in resumes, applications, and other submitted materials. All AI systems are designed to support fair and efficient hiring decisions and operate under human oversight.
• By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to the use of AI tools in evaluating your candidacy. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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