Senior Environmental Planning Specialist

Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), founded in 1990, has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in North America. With over 200 scientific publications, WEST provides a unique blend of scientific inquiry with environmental consulting and has published on a variety of environmental topics.

In 2017, WEST expanded into Canada by opening an office in Calgary, Alberta, and has since expanded into British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. WEST and WEST staff have worked on hundreds of projects across Canada spanning renewable energy, pipelines, transmission, oil and gas, urban development, and mining.

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 experienced Senior Environmental Planning Specialist.

Number of positions available: 1

Location: Ontario

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Tentative Start Date: June 6, 2026

Job Closing: Until filled

Pay: $90,000 plus (CAD) Depending on Experience

Benefits: WEST Benefits

Job Summary:
The successful candidate will have experience in consulting (particularly renewable and power line projects) and be passionate in helping WEST succeed. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills and detailed knowledge of Ontario’s environmental acts, regulations, policies, and directives. The successful candidate will also have previous experience with environmental reporting and permitting, technical knowledge in planning and executing biophysical programs, working with multi-disciplinary project teams, business development, and managing projects. Primary responsibilities include helping coordinate and manage natural science studies within Ontario; however, support throughout Canada and the US is anticipated and in a variety of sectors.

Responsibilities include: 

• Complete and direct various project management and support tasks related to project siting evaluation, environmental planning, or environmental reviews (e.g., federal/provincial/local site permitting and environmental reviews, wetland and/or water resource permitting, environmental site assessments).
• Coordinate and manage biophysical field studies (e.g., wildlife, wetlands, vegetation, aquatic resources).
• Direct multi-disciplinary teams (including internal staff and external sub consultants) in completing environmental review for small, medium, and large-scale projects.
• Coordinate with local/provincial/federal agencies and stakeholders in support of client-directed project work.
• Collaborate closely with clients to support real-time requests and help clients implement scientific consulting solutions. Take lead on navigating the regulatory landscape and providing clients with novel and innovative solutions.
• Review reports, applying expertise to present and interpret the results of field and desktop studies in their scientific and regulatory context.
• Maintain team alignment on field data management and GIS data processes to meet WEST standards and client/agency requirements.
• Market WEST's capabilities, respond to proposal requests, and provide oversight into the development of scopes of work and budget estimates.
• Foster current business relationships and promote new business development efforts.
• Cultivate strategic client relationships, identify new opportunities, and support business pursuit strategies.
• Help maintain WEST's position as thought leaders in the environmental consulting market.
• Manage project teams, deliverables, and budgets for multiple projects.
• Promote a team atmosphere and develop a collaborative environment.
• Complete field work and travel, as needed.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties that may be associated with this position.

Requirements: 

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biological studies, natural resources, wildlife management, wildlife biology or equivalent or a combination of equivalent education and experience in lieu of a degree.
• Ten plus (10 ) years of experience in consulting, project management, and environmental work.
• Strong leadership capabilities and prior staff management experience are preferred.
• Excellent industry experience in their area of expertise.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Good leadership and communication skills with the ability to effectively supervise and motivate others.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to conduct interviews and properly evaluate candidates.
• Ability to effectively evaluate workloads and delegate work as needed.
• Ability to follow instructions from managers and accept guidance and constructive criticism.
• Legally allowed to work in Canada (i.e., Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or have an existing VISA with no work restrictions) Please note: US citizens require a Canadian work visa to work in Canada.  

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 a 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.