Marine Mammal Biologist

About Us

Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd is a boutique environmental consulting firm based in Port Moody, British Columbia. We are a group of multi-disciplinary applied scientists that bridge the realms of regulatory and academic applied scientists, with a strong focus on the marine environment. Our foundation is built upon the belief for the inclusion of western and Indigenous/Inuit sciences into all aspects of the regulatory life cycle, to support the understanding of existing conditions and effects assessments. Spatially we primarily work in British Columbia (BC) and Nunavut (NU), with a keen interest for expansion to territories and provinces with a coastline.  

We are a dynamic organization with multiple business portfolios, and work in a fast-paced environment.   We encourage a healthy attitude toward collaboration and communication within our organization, with clients and external partners. At Dynamic Ocean we are working toward developing a company culture that finds the appropriate balance between work and life, and so we offer a flexible work schedule, opportunity to work from home, and days off in addition to your vacation schedule.

The successful candidate will have the ability to work in a team environment and to function independently. Your personal and professional traits will allow you to work effectively in a multi-facetted environment and have a keen interest to grow and develop with the company.

We are seeking a high level intermediate, or senior marine mammal biologist to support our organization for projects that are based in BC and NU.

Responsibilities

  • Design (senior) and implement (intermediate/Senior) existing conditions field programs and undertake desktop studies to support an interpretation of presence (biomass/biodiversity) of marine mammals in coastal regions of BC and Nunavut (or other locations in Canada).

  • Participate in field programs to determine existing conditions, support compliance monitoring or research-based programs to understand the presence of marine mammals and potentially hydroacoustic soundscapes.

  • Manage and/or prepare reports including data analysis/interpretation, consolidation of desktop information, and management of field data.

  • Prepare environmental effects documents to target the mandate of the respective Regulatory Authority.

  • Development of construction environmental management plans to confirm the avoidance, mitigation and monitoring measures being undertaken during project construction (specific to requirements for protection of marine mammals).  

  • Mentor and support junior staff or clients staff to understand and identify marine mammal species.

  • Analysis and interpretation of ecological data sets using a variety of analysis techniques (e.g., regression analysis, statistical summaries, data plotting and cleaning).

  • Working knowledge of Species at Risk, in addition to federal and provincial/territorial documents that outline management of Species at Risk.

  • Travel as required to support local and remote field programs.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Undergraduate degree in a related field, with a Masters preferred.

  • Registered Professional Biologist designation with the College of Applied Biologists (or designated as a Biologist in Training).

  • Working knowledge of the types of marine mammals (cetaceans, pinnipeds) present in coastal BC waters.  Knowledge of marine mammal species present in Nunavut is considered an asset.

  • Knowledge of marine mammals and their species specific acoustic sensitivities, relative to anthropogenic influences. 

  • Experience with the design and implementation of autonomous and real-time hydroacoustic hydrophone programs considered an asset.

  • Understanding and interpretation of effects assessments to both develop an effects assessment, or review those developed by others.

  • Experience working in the regulatory environment with specific experience interpreting the mandates of Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (DFO-FFHPP).

  • Knowledge of pertinent legislation in British Columbia, with experience in Nunavut or other Canadian territories considered an asset.

  • Ability to multi-task and adapt to conditions in a fast-paced environment.

  • A positive attitude and interest to communicate and engage with the team.

  • High level of communication skills for verbal and written, and interpersonal skills.

  • Experience in statistical analysis programs such as R is considered an asset.

  • Experience in digital mapping programs such QGIS and ArcGIS is considered an asset.

  • Minimum of seven (Intermediate) or ten (senior) years experience in a marine environmental consulting role.   

  • An interest to expand your professional experience portfolio and grow with our organization.

Work Location and Benefits

Our office is Port Moody based and we offer a hybrid work schedule opportunity with an expectation of at least two to three days a week in our office. We do have satellite offices in Victoria and Cumberland and for the right candidate, remote work on Vancouver Island could be negotiated.  

We offer a competitive benefits program and a flexible work schedule. 

Compensation

Our salary ranges are typically above average and will be based on your unique qualifications and experience. We are interested to support you, and all our employees, in experiences to expand and develop their professional portfolios. We have a strong interest in Professional Development opportunities and growing together as a team.

 

Application

This job requires candidates to be based in BC, within commutable distance to one of our office locations.  We also require that candidates are able to legally work in Canada at the time of application.  We appreciate all applicants who apply, however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  

Please submit your CV with a cover letter to careers@dynamicocean.ca and reference your application as being for the ‘Marine Mammal Biologist’ position.  Please indicate whether you are applying for the intermediate or senior position.