Senior Wildlife Technical Lead

VERSATILITY. EXPERTISE.

With these two words, Vertex makes the promise that we will always be versatile in developing solutions to our clients’ unique needs and that we will always demonstrate expertise in our designated fields.

Since 1962, Vertex has been a leading North American provider of environmental services. With over 60 years of expertise, Vertex helps clients achieve their development goals through our versatile suite of services. From the initial site selection, consultation and regulatory approval, through the construction, operation and maintenance phases, to conclusion and environmental cleanup, Vertex offers a diverse range of services throughout the life cycle of our clients’ projects.

OVERVIEW 

Vertex is currently seeking an experienced and growth-oriented Sr. Wildlife Technical Lead. This role is responsible for expanding Vertex’s biophysical consulting services across Western Canada and Ontario with a strong focus on the energy, commercial, transportation, and mining sectors. This role will also be the senior technical lead accountable for wildlife services that Vertex provides to our client base.

In this leadership role, you will be the technical accountable resource for scopes in your area of expertise, ensure technical excellence, and guide the growth of Vertex’s Wildlife service line supporting projects and opportunities throughout Western Canada and Ontario. With the support of management, you will have the opportunity to support and grow our technical expertise in the wildlife division, strengthen client relationships, and grow the Wildlife service line in key markets and sectors.

The successful candidate will be a senior environmental professional with the ability to lead, and project manage wildlife driven projects/programs across Canada while supporting the growth of the Wildlife division in key market sectors and regions. This position combines leadership, senior technical oversight and accountability.

QUALIFICATIONS

The role reports to the General Manager – Biophysical and works closely with the Vertex wildlife team, broader biophysical team, and Senior Leadership.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, or a related discipline. A master’s degree is considered an asset.
• Active Professional Status as a P.Biol, and/or R.P.Bio
• 12+ years of professional experience in environmental consulting or equivalent industry management or execution experience, with demonstrated experience supporting wildlife monitoring, mitigation, and baseline assessment work in Western Canada, with a focus on Alberta projects and programs.
• Established relationships with energy, mining, infrastructure, or renewable client bases are a strong asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal abilities with mentorship experience.
• Project Management experience in a fast-paced dynamic team environment.
• Experience supporting RFP and bid submissions for medium to large scale opportunities, with a focus on scope development and costing for wildlife related scopes.
• Business Development experience is considered an asset.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

• Act as a senior technical lead for our dynamic wildlife team and work collaboratively with internal biophysical specialists (i.e. wetlands, vegetation, fisheries and aquatics, and soils) to achieve desired project outcomes.
• Provide technical oversight, signoff, and strategic guidance for wildlife scopes (and other areas of expertise, as required, in Western Canada.
• Oversee the technical execution aspects of all wildlife related work scopes for Vertex’s Canadian operations.
• Provide QA/QC oversight for environmental and biophysical deliverables in your area of expertise and collaborate with appropriate senior technical leadership in other jurisdictions in which Vertex operates.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients, providing clear communication, risk-based advice, and practical solutions.
• Experience working with multiple regulatory agencies in Western Canada including applicable wildlife acts, legislation, guidelines, and species inventories.

• Lead and manage wildlife focused environmental projects, including:
  • Regulatory permitting, baseline studies, and impact assessments
  • Wildlife monitoring programs including writing and technical review of Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plans and Comprehensive Wildlife Reports
  • Placement, deployment and troubleshooting of acoustic recording units (ARUs) for both bat and bird recording and wildlife cameras

• • Experience with regulatory applications and post-construction monitoring for wind and solar energy projects
  • Experience with surveying for and managing species at risk
  • Experience in regulatory approvals under EAP requirements for upstream oil and gas facilities and linear disturbances (e.g. pipelines and transmission lines) considered an asset
  • Experience with caribou monitoring/management considered an asset

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & CLIENT LEADERSHIP

• Support proposal development, scope definition, pricing, and technical strategy in collaboration with Vertex’s business development and bids teams for the wildlife discipline.
• Represent Vertex at industry events, client meetings, and networking functions.

INTEGRATED SERVICES (BIOPHYSICAL, LIABILITY MANAGEMENT, REGULATORY & COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL)

• Work closely with Liability Management and Regulatory teams to enhance the overall value proposition to clients.
• Support integrated project delivery across Biophysical, Liability Management, and Regulatory services for energy, commercial and industrial, and mining projects.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of service offerings to meet the needs of sector growth and growth strategies.

LOCATION

• This position is based in Calgary or Edmonton
• Vertex offers a hybrid work structure, combining office and remote work.
• The role is permanent and full-time (40 hours/week).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience and technical expertise
• Performance-based bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• RRSP matching program
• Training and professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to provide technical oversight and mentorship to a dynamic wildlife team while driving the growth and exposure of Vertex’s biophysical service offerings in other key markets
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture
• Cell phone allowance provided

APPLY NOW
With a track record of success, Vertex provides a fast-paced environment where people thrive. We recognize that each member brings a valuable skill set to the Vertex team and we make health, safety and community well-being a priority by supporting numerous endeavors at each of our locations across North America.

At Vertex, we value teamwork through collaboration and provide support across the entire organization. If you think you have what it takes to play for the Vertex team, please apply. 

 *We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted*