Wildlife Biologist
OUR PURPOSE
Be part of the Future of Environmental Solutions.
At Montrose Environmental we help protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that feeds us. Our teammates collaborate across services, disciplines, and geographies to solve environmental challenges together – motivated to do better for our clients, each other, and the communities where we live and work. We deliver responsive, locally connected, and scalable solutions to help our clients achieve their ambitious goals for a more sustainable and resilient future.
WHO WE ARE
Montrose is a leading environmental solutions company focused on supporting commercial and government organizations as they deal with the challenges of today and prepare for what’s coming tomorrow. In Canada, we are one of the leading providers of environmental consulting and engineering services and part of a global network of teammates across 100+ locations around the world.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Our team is made up of diverse people working collaboratively towards common goals. We value the contributions and perspectives of all employees and are committed to equity and diversity initiatives to create a feeling of belonging for all of our people. When we are inclusive and diverse in a way that reflects the broader world we serve, we are able to draw from a wider community of excellence within the regions we operate.
Are you looking to…
Lead wildlife and nest sweeps and related surveys, and work closely with the client to plan and coordinate daily/weekly field activities based on changing site requirements.
Have autonomy and the opportunity to interact and work with a community of technical experts from other Montrose regions.
Partner with extensive, long-standing clients such as municipal governments, conservation authorities, academia, and private industry.
Join a well-respected environmental consulting company engaged in interesting, dynamic work
As a Wildlife Biologist, you will join our Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta office as part of our Wildlife & Aquatics team.
This role will oversee a field crew at a northern Alberta mine site on a 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off rotation. In this role, you’ll lead wildlife and nest sweeps and related surveys, and work closely with the client to plan and coordinate daily/weekly field activities based on changing site requirements. This is a permanent role with a rotation-based schedule and on-site camp accommodations. This position is ideal for a hands‑on leader who thrives in a dynamic site environment, maintains a strong safety and compliance mindset, and delivers high‑quality data and clear communication.
The successful applicant will be involved in a broad range of projects with responsibilities as follows:
Lead Field Operations
Plan and execute daily work scopes for bird surveys (including breeding bird, owl, and sharp-tailed grouse), nest and wildlife sweeps, amphibian capture and relocations, and deployment/servicing of acoustic recording units and/or wildlife cameras.
Lead crews in accordance with Montrose Standard Operating Procedures and client site rules.
Conduct tailgate meetings, risk assessments, and ensure stop‑work authority is exercised when needed.
Client & Site Coordination
Serve as the on‑site point of contact for the client; align daily and weekly plans with evolving site priorities, access constraints, and construction schedules.
Coordinate field resources (personnel, vehicles, equipment) and request adjustments to crew size or work areas as conditions change.
Pre‑Field Planning & Logistics
Prepare safety plans, maps, access routes, and equipment lists; confirm permits and access approvals.
Arrange mobilization/demobilization, accommodations, and site orientations per client requirements.
Camp-based accommodations are provided at site; travel and logistics follow client/site policy.
Technical Execution & Data Quality
Perform and oversee nest sweeps and wildlife sweeps to regulatory and client standards; identify species‑at‑risk sign, habitat features, and mitigation needs.
Ensure accurate digital data collection, photo documentation, and metadata; complete QA/QC and initial interpretation of results.
Reporting & Communications
Produce concise daily field updates for the client and Montrose PMs; escalate mitigation concerns promptly.
Contribute to field summaries and technical reports, including figures, tables, and data appendices.
HSE Leadership
Champion Montrose’s safety culture; comply with mine‑site policies, PPE requirements, and pre‑access testing.
Participate in incident reporting, lessons‑learned, and continuous improvement.
Collaboration
Work with vegetation, soils, construction support, and aquatics teammates to sequence work effectively and integrate findings.
Travel/Work Split:
Full-time remote with approximately 80% field / 20% office (reporting, data review, planning).
Overtime will be required during rotation and is compensated per applicable policy.
Field Lead, Wildlife (14/14 Rotation)
Location: Northern Alberta (mine site; rotational)
Schedule: 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off (12‑hour shifts typical)
Home Office: Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta (Permanent position)
What We Are Looking For
Education: B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree(s) in Biology, Ecology, or Environmental Science
Experience: 4–7+ years in wildlife fieldwork as a crew or field lead; mine site experience is an asset.
Technical Skills:
Proven experience with breeding bird surveys, nest sweeps and wildlife sweeps
Strong identification skills for key wildlife features for birds and other wildlife.
Experience with sharp-tailed grouse, owl, amphibian capture and relocation is an asset
Proficiency with GPS/GIS enabled data collection and digital field forms.
Safety & Site Readiness: Strong safety mindset; able to work 12‑hour shifts in remote conditions. Valid Class 5 driver’s licence and experience driving on resource roads or in mines. Comfortable with ATVs/UTVs, light truck operation; helicopter experience is an asset.
Professional: Effective organization, clear writing, and confident client communication. Eligible for or registered as P.Biol. (ASPB) is an asset.
Availability: Willing to work a minimum 14/14 rotation and adjust crew schedules to meet site needs.
Why Choose Montrose?
At Montrose you will be part of an amazing community of collaborative people who live shared mission and principles and bring industry-leading technical expertise to their work every day. We offer a comprehensive compensation package, which includes benefits, RRSP matching, vacation days and sick days. This is a permanent position with an hourly rate range of $30.00-$53.00, starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location. We are also committed to flexible work hours and schedules, team-based work, and cross-training opportunities.
This posting reflects a current vacancy that the company is actively seeking to fill.
Click the Apply button.
Are you the one we're looking for? Please apply to us directly. As a note, we are not accepting third party agency applicants at this time.
Montrose is committed to providing a safe and productive work environment and to promoting the health, safety and well-being of our employees. In keeping with our Health & Safety Policy, individuals in safety sensitive positions are subject to pre-employment, pre-access (and in some client cases, random) alcohol & drug testing as well as drivers abstract reviews.
Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.
We welcome and promote diversity and inclusion in our workplace and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. Montrose provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities; including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources directly.
Please follow us on LinkedIn (@Montrose Environmental Group) for ongoing updates about our people and business.
For more information, visit www.montrose-env.com and don’t forget to bookmark our Careers & Culture page.
While we appreciate all applications we receive, we advise that only candidates under consideration will be contacted.