| Description |
Under the direction of the Senior Manager, Planning Ecology, the Senior Ecologist, Planning ensures that TRCA policy and regulatory interests in aquatic and terrestrial natural heritage are communicated and implemented across a broad range of land use planning and development initiatives and infrastructure projects. This can include appearing before various boards and tribunals to provide “expert ecological/natural systems opinion” evidence on behalf of TRCA.
The position uses systems thinking to integrate ecological needs with human needs in order to minimize or eliminate the impact on ecosystems. The Senior Ecologist, Planning works collaboratively to find interdisciplinary solutions to complex development scenarios and provides technical ecological expertise in the development of Authority and municipal plans and policies related to ecosystem management. This position provides day-to-day technical direction and supervision to a small team to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to support the Planning and Development Teams.
In collaboration with the Senior Manager, Planning Ecology and other senior staff, this position participates in special projects related to research, science and technology advancements to inform policy, development and restoration planning, engineering design and to support the Authority/Divisional strategic plans and programs.
Knowledge and Experience:
- University Degree in biology, ecology, natural resources management, environmental sciences or related disciplines.
- 8 years of experience related to the major tasks.
- Solutions-oriented mindset with demonstrated critical thinking skills and the ability to apply sound scientific judgement related to ecosystem sciences, terrestrial and/or aquatic ecology, landscape ecology, environmental planning, and impact assessment.
- Excellent/ Mature oral and written communication skills including negotiation and conflict resolution. Ability to articulate complex ecological concepts to non-ecologists with an approach that favours comprehension.
- Demonstrated experience of the application of the Conservation Authorities Act, the Planning Act, the Environmental Assessment Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Fisheries Act, etc.
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and supporting technical reports for major and complex undertakings/projects.
- Experience related to construction techniques and measures to mitigate environmental damage.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with other technical staff and disciplines.
- Demonstrated ability in innovation, situation analysis, problem solving, program development and management.
- Ability to multitask and manage workload, and delegate tasks to junior staff.
- Project management skills including managing time, workloads and workflow to ensure deliverables are completed and deadlines are met within various service delivery standards.
- Experience in supervising, training, mentoring and managing the development of junior staff.
- Aptitude for excellent client relations and other strategic contacts to sustain long term partnerships and business relationships.
- Demonstrates professional resilience and accountability for decisions.
- Valid Driver’s licence.
Major Responsibilities:
- Review reports and construction plans submitted as part of complex planning, permit and environmental assessment applications.
- Prepare concise and clear technical comment memos for development planners and environmental assessment planners to ensure compliance with the Authority’s programs, policies and regulation requirements.
- Work collaboratively with internal staff including planners, hydrogeologists, water resource engineers and geotechnical engineers to ensure consistency between technical comments.
- Work collaboratively with municipal staff, developers and land owner’s groups during Official Plan updates, subwatershed studies and block planning (MESP).
- Use conflict resolution skills to find interdisciplinary solutions during complex negotiations.
- Provide senior leadership and support to planners, Planning Ecologists l & ll during site visits, meetings and negotiations to provide technical guidance to proponents and their consultants in order to ensure that proposals are in keeping with the Authority’s programs, policies and regulation requirements.
- Successfully negotiate with planners, developers, municipal staff, consultants and other stakeholders to achieve ecological acceptable solutions in complex or controversial scenarios.
- Use knowledge and experience to represent the Authority’s or municipality’s interests as an expert witness at hearings, mediations, tribunals or during court proceedings.
- Build and maintain effective partnerships with municipal, provincial and federal agencies and develop positive relationships with the general public, proponents, consultants, municipal staff, NGOs and other agency staff.
- Supervise planning ecologist I and II positions and provide senior guidance and mentoring as they undertake plan input and review.
- Interpret aquatic and terrestrial natural heritage information and provide technical assistance to internal staff on complex erosion, ecological restoration and land management projects.
- Support enforcement staff by providing ecological input on complex voluntary restoration sites and other enforcement files.
- Lead and participate in program development initiatives and policy projects and represent the Authority’s interests as a member of internal and/or inter-agency committees.
- Provide senior technical input into the preparation of watershed plans, fisheries management plans, natural heritage management reports, report cards and other Authority initiatives.
TRCA is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require accessibility related accommodations, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.
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