Senior Wildlife Technical Lead

VERSATILITY. EXPERTISE. With these two words, Vertex makes the promise that we will always be versatile in developing solutions to our clients’ unique needs and that we will always demonstrate expertise in our designated fields. Since 1962, Vertex has been a leading North American provider of environmental services. With over 60 years of expertise, Vertex helps clients achieve their development goals through our versatile suite of services. From the initial site selection, consultation and regulatory approval, through the construction, operation and maintenance phases, to conclusion and environmental cleanup, Vertex offers a diverse range of services throughout the life cycle of our clients’ projects. Overview Vertex is currently seeking an experienced and growth-oriented Sr. Wildlife Technical Lead. This role is responsible for expanding Vertex’s biophysical consulting services across Western Canada and Ontario with a strong focus on the energy and mining sectors. This role will also be the senior technical accountable for wildlife services that Vertex provides to our client base. In this leadership role, you will be the technical accountable resources for wildlife scopes in your area of expertise, ensure technical excellence, and guide the growth of Vertex’s Biophysical service lines supporting projects and opportunities throughout Western Canada and Ontario focusing on ecological services. With the support of management, you will have the opportunity to support and grow our technical expertise in the wildlife division, strengthen client relationships, and grow the Biophysical service lines in key markets and sectors. The successful candidate will be a senior environmental professional with the ability to lead, and Project Manage wildlife driven projects/programs across Canada while supporting the growth and Business development of the Biophysical division in key market sectors and regions. This position combines business development leadership, senior technical oversight and accountability. Qualifications The role reports to the General Manager – Biophysical and works closely with the Vertex wildlife team, broader biophysical teams, and Senior Leadership.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, or a related discipline. A master’s degree is considered an asset.
• Active Professional Status as a P.Biol, and/or R.P.Bio
• 12+ years of professional experience in environmental consulting or equivalent industry management or execution experience, with demonstrated experience supporting wildlife monitoring, mitigation, and baseline assessment work in Western Canada, with a focus on Alberta projects and programs.
• Established relationships with energy, mining or renewable client bases are a strong asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal abilities with mentorship experience.
• Project Management experience in a fast-paced dynamic team environment.
• Experience supporting RFP and bid submissions for medium to large scale opportunities, with a focus on scope development and costing for wildlife related scopes.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license.

Key Responsibilities TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

• Act as a senior technical lead for our dynamic wildlife team and work collaboratively with internal biophysical specialists (i.e. wetlands, vegetation, fisheries and aquatics, and soils) to achieve desired project outcomes.
• Provide technical oversight, signoff, and strategic guidance for wildlife scopes (and other areas of expertise as required) in Western Canada.
• Oversee the technical execution aspects of all wildlife related work scopes for Vertex’s Canadian operations.
• Provide QA/QC oversight for environmental and biophysical deliverables in your area of expertise and collaborate with appropriate senior technical leadership in other jurisdictions in which Vertex operates.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients, providing clear communication, risk-based advice, and practical solutions.
• Experience working with multiple regulatory agencies in Western Canada including applicable wildlife acts, legislation, guidelines, and species inventories.

• Lead and manage wildlife focused environmental projects, including:

• Regulatory permitting, baseline studies, and impact assessments
• Wildlife monitoring programs including writing and technical review of Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Plans and Comprehensive Wildlife Reports
• Placement, deployment and troubleshooting of acoustic recording units (ARUs) for both bat and bird recording and wildlife cameras
• Support our existing Urban Development Liability Management team with Stage 1 Preliminary Site Investigations (PSIs), Stage 2 Detailed Site Investigations (DSIs), remediation and reclamation projects as required to meet business demands

• Experience with regulatory applications and post-construction monitoring for wind and solar energy projects
• Experience with surveying for and managing species at risk
• Experience in regulatory approvals under EAP requirements for upstream oil and gas facilities and linear disturbances (e.g. pipelines and transmission lines) considered an asset
• Experience with caribou monitoring/management considered an asset

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & CLIENT LEADERSHIP

• Lead as well as support business development efforts to grow Vertex’s biophysical services across our Canadian operations.
• Identify and pursue new opportunities in alignment with business strategy and target sectors in collaboration with the Senior Leadership and business development teams.
• Act as a direct Client Manager, developing and maintaining long-term client relationships.
• Support proposal development, scope definition, pricing, and technical strategy in collaboration with Vertex’s business development and bids teams for the wildlife discipline.
• Represent Vertex at industry events, client meetings, and networking functions.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory changes, and clients need to inform service growth and positioning for the wildlife discipline and associated biophysical disciplines.

INTEGRATED SERVICES (BIOPHYSICAL, LIABILITY MANAGEMENT, REGULATORY & COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL)

• Work closely with Liability Management and Regulatory teams to cross-sell Vertex services and enhance the overall value proposition to clients.
• Support integrated project delivery across Biophysical, Liability Management, and Regulatory services for energy, commercial and industrial, and mining projects.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of service offerings to meet the needs of sector growth and growth strategies.

LOCATION

• This position is based in Calgary or Edmonton
• Vertex offers a hybrid work structure, combining office and remote work.
• The role is permanent and full-time (40 hours/week).

Additional Information

• Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience and technical expertise
• Performance-based bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• RRSP matching program
• Training and professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to provide technical oversight and mentorship to a dynamic wildlife team while driving the growth and exposure of Vertex’s biopsychical service offerings in other key markets
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture
• Cell phone allowance provided