Soils Scientist - Jobs in Calgary, AB

Job Description

Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), founded in 1990, has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States. In 2017, WEST expanded into Canada by opening an office in Calgary, AB, with staff now in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. In our continued drive to provide outstanding professional consulting services and original solutions to a wide range of natural resource problems, we are looking for an energetic and experienced Intermediate Soils Scientist to expand and complement our team.Key Details:

• Number of positions available: 1
• Positions Type: Permanent/Full-Time
• Location: Calgary, AB
• Tentative Start Date: February 27, 2023
• Job Closing: January 31, 2023

Key Benefits:

• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• RRSP (100% employer contributions, after initial eligibility requirements are met)
• Life insurance, Long Term Disability and AD&D

Primary duties may include:

• Complete and direct various tasks related to soils desktop and field delineations, classifications for eco-types, mitigation plan development, permitting, and restoration monitoring.
• Assist with soil classification and terrain surveys, including soil sampling, analyzing field data, interpreting analytical data, determining soil map units, and mapping soil according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification, Canadian Soil Information System and Alberta Soil Names File (Generation 4) User’s Handbook.
• Ensure that all soil sampling is conducted in accordance with defined protocols and the work progresses in a timely manner; including Ground Disturbance protocols.
• Assist with developing and conducting Pre-Disturbance Site Assessments (PDSAs) prior to construction and Interim Monitoring Site Assessments (IMSAs) after construction of renewable facilities.
• Prepare and assist in reports (including, but not limited to: Conservation & Reclamation Plans (C&Rs), Mitigation Plans, Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs), PDSAs and Site Restoration, and Soil Management Plans.
• Provide on-site soil knowledge for construction and reclamation projects to ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory guidelines and/or commitments.
• Onsite monitoring and audits.
• Promote WEST’s core values of quality client service and a collaborative team approach while maintaining a positive and respectful work atmosphere
• Summarizing and entering data.
• Completing Ground Disturbance packages and Codes of Practice for site surveys.

This position consists of approximately 25% office based work and 75% field based work (fieldwork occurring mostly under snow free conditions), and travel between the field and the Calgary office. Fieldwork will require long days (8-12 hours), in a range of temperature extremes and wind speeds. Candidates must be comfortable with hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., driving a four-wheel drive vehicle, dust, mud, snow, extreme heat, cold, working around cattle). Candidates must promote WEST’s core values of quality client service and a collaborative team approach while maintaining a positive and respectful work atmosphere. Fieldwork can also occur in remote locations, which will require candidates to be comfortable and able to work and operate vehicles in rugged, steep terrain within areas with large carnivores. Lastly, fieldwork often occurs in areas with little to no cellphone signal. Candidates must be comfortable using satellite and radio devices for regular communication.Staff may work independently or in small crews, and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with site management and WEST supervisors.This is a general description of the requirements for this position and is not inclusive of all duties, which may be associated with this position.Job RequirementsJob Requirements:

• Legally allowed to work in Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or have a valid US passport for work visa eligibility).
• A completed bachelor’s degree or higher in the biological sciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline and at least 3- 5 years of relevant experience.
• Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions.
• Ability to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g., Enterprise).
• Soil classification skills according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification, Canadian Soil Information System and Alberta Soil Names File (Generation 4) User’s Handbook in boreal, parkland, and prairie habitats of western Canada.
• Competent in Microsoft Office (advanced knowledge of Word and Excel), ArcGIS/QGIS.
• Ability to work long days (up to 12 hours) in the field and sometimes long shifts (up to 24 days) and lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to hike in rugged, steep terrain for long periods of time.
• Capacity to work independently and interact positively with project managers, supervisors, clients, field partners, and landowners.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well under time constraints and meet deliverable targets and deadlines.
• Highly-developed ability to follow protocols and work efficiently in the field and office.
• Ability to think critically to solve challenging problems.
• Currently hold a professional designation applicable for conducting professional sign off in Alberta or eligible for registration (e.g. Alberta Institute of Agrologists).
• Experience conducting and managing the Ground Disturbance process from beginning to end.

Desired Skills:

• Experience conducting vegetation and/or wetland surveys.
• Experience with construction or environmental monitoring.
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys.

As this job will require working in close proximity to others (e.g., travel in vehicles or helicopters for extended periods), it is a condition of this position that the successful candidate be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Prior to making any offer of employment, the successful candidate will have to provide documentation to WEST that they have been fully vaccinated. If the successful candidate cannot be vaccinated due to a protected ground under applicable human rights legislation, WEST will abide by its obligations under human rights legislation to provide accommodation, if possible, up to the point of undue hardship.Successful candidates must be able to provide a driver’s abstract that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. Successful candidates must also be able to pass periodic drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients. Candidates must be capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements, outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment.WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, family status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law.Quick Apply

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