Are you an expert in aquatic and environmental sciences? Here is your opportunity to keep Ontario’s fish consumers safe and investigate contaminated sites through research and monitoring practices.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Refer to the “How to apply” section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• provide scientific expertise and leadership in the studies of trace contaminant data from the ministry’s sport and juvenile fish contaminant monitoring programs.
• lead and coordinate the preparation and distribution of the Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish.
• investigate and assess surface water compliance issues related to ambient water, sediment, and aquatic biota and conduct special studies specific to sport fish.
• define sources and causes of impairment and develop recommendations for remedial actions.
• provide expert scientific knowledge, guidance and advice to Regional staff and clients in the assessment of surface water contamination/non-compliance and impacts of industrial, municipal and agricultural discharges and runoff.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

You have an Ontario class G driver’s license in order to travel to province-wide field sites and meetings.

Knowledge of Aquatic and Environmental Sciences

• You know and can apply principles, theory and techniques of aquatic biology, aquatic chemistry, and human health risk assessment to interpret and assess the impacts of trace contaminants.
• You know theory, principles and application of environmental sciences and have practical experience in water and sediment contamination, including metals, chemicals, pesticides, sewage, animal and farm waste and industrial waste compounds.
• You know relevant legislation, such as the Ontario Water Resources Act, Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Bill of Rights and the Fisheries Act.

Knowledge of Analytical and Scientific Principles

• You know the analytical principles and techniques required to conduct state-of-the-art studies of contamination on rivers and lakes in Ontario.
• You know the scientific principles and complex processes of aquatic contamination in order to assess and interpret data and advise on remediation techniques.
• You know scientific and mathematical analysis approaches at an advanced statistical level.
• You have practical knowledge of field and laboratory methods and demonstrated project management skills to ensure that investigations in the field are conducted correctly.

Software and Database Management Knowledge

• You know software programs for database management to edit and manipulate large amounts of data and conduct analyses of large data sets.
• You have experience using computers and associated software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, graphical, statistical, to summarize and describe data.
• You have the skills required to access and query databases, prepare charts and tables, prepare reports and to communicate using e-mail and the Internet

Reasoning and Problem-Solving Skills

• You can consolidate and lead analysis of data, using data modelling techniques.
• You can develop recommendations on sources and causes of impairment, remedial and preventive action and on any follow-up required.
• You can measure the effectiveness of controls or remedial actions.

Communication Skills

• You can communicate in a clear manner to present detailed technical and scientific information and reports, conduct interviews and make presentations to both scientific experts and non-experts.
• You can prepare a variety of technical documents and reports for a range of audiences, including reports on scientific findings with related statistical information and recommendations for controls.