Senior Ecologist, Niagara Falls

Senior Ecologist

Closing Date: May 15, 2026

Job Type: Permanent

Department: Current Planning

Salary: $91,423.00 - $114,279.00

Openings: 1

Position Summary The Senior Ecologist is responsible for managing natural heritage resources within the City through the support of policies, plans, strategies, and initiatives that align with Provincial and City environmental legislation. The Senior Ecologist is responsible for conducting ecological assessments as well as providing expertise on environmental, resource management, and ecological matters associated with a variety of development applications and policy planning projects.

Responsibilities

Conduct ecological assessments for municipal projects using accepted protocols (e.g., Ontario Wetland Evaluation System, Ecological Land Classification, etc.).

Lead the review of planning applications relative to environmental and natural heritage planning matters (OPA, ZBA, subdivisions, consents, site plan applications, etc.). Review and comment on Environmental Impact Studies, Environmental Site Assessments, Restoration and Monitoring Plans, Subwatershed Studies, and other such studies or plans.

Conduct site visit and assessments for development and policy initiatives in the City.

Prepare Terms of Reference for development applications and for long-term planning documents for the City (e.g., Subwatershed studies, environmental impact studies, urban forest management etc.).

Lead and manage environmental and natural heritage planning policy, in coordination with the Long-Range Planning Initiatives and Policy teams, relative to various policy documents and background studies.

Provide technical guidance for Environmental Assessments including Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, as needed.

Lead and collaborate on the City’s urban forest, tree preservation and compensation, and woodland management policy. Review tree preservation plans, update tree cutting by-law as necessary and monitor and evaluate compensation plans and areas.

Lead environmental discussions with applicants, agencies and consultants to ensure proper ecological and policy implementation.

Collaborate with Conservation Authority, NEC, provincial agencies, and other stakeholders relative to natural heritage and environmental planning matters.

Undertake research and analysis to develop strategic environmental policies, plans, strategies and guidelines in keeping with Provincial plans and policies.

Prepare staff reports and make presentations to Council, committees and at public information sessions as required.

Manage the review and preparation of feedback on Provincial and other government agency policies, plans, strategies and initiatives. Interpret municipal and provincial planning documents and procedures for staff, agencies, developers and public as it relates to Natural Heritage.

Prepare professional evidence and provide expert testimony before legislative committees, tribunals, commissions as it relates to natural heritage and environmental planning matters as required.

Perform other duties as required.

Position Requirements

University degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Sciences or a closely related field.

Minimum five (5) years work experience and progressive work experience.

Certification in the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES) and experience with Ecological Land Classifications.

Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation and accreditation by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), is considered an asset.

Working knowledge of provincial (including PPS 2024), regional, and municipal environmental and natural heritage policy frameworks.

Working knowledge of environmental legislation, regulations, permits, policies and approvals (e.g., Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, Endangered Species Act, Species Conservation Act, Conservation Authorities Act, etc.).

Applied, technical knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, applicable planning legislation and regulations, and provincial and regional guidelines and policies, such as the Planning Act is an asset.

Knowledge and experience in compensation including policy, design and monitoring is an asset.

Working Conditions Standard office environment and site visits required.

Equipment and Tools Used General office equipment, computer and related software and digital camera.

EEO Statement Personal information is collected under the authority of The Municipal Act and will only be used to determine suitability for this position. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those advancing through the selection process will be contacted.

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