WSP

Marine Biologist

WSP$122K — $162K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in marine biology, marine mammal science, or wildlife ecology.
  • 10+ years of experience in marine mammal research and monitoring across various Canadian regions.
  • Expertise in distance sampling, abundance modelling, and density surface modelling.
  • Experience preparing marine regulatory submissions, including Fisheries Act Authorizations and SARA permits.
  • Strong analytical skills with experience in managing large ecological datasets.
  • Knowledge of developing marine mammal mitigation and monitoring plans for industrial projects.
  • Professional biology designation (e.g., RPBio or equivalent).

Responsibilities

  • Design and lead marine mammal monitoring programs including surveys and noise studies.
  • Conduct systematic surveys to assess species distribution and habitat use.
  • Act as the Marine Mammal Technical Lead for major environmental impact assessments.
  • Develop Environmental Protection Plans to mitigate effects on marine life.
  • Guide project teams in planning and executing complex marine environmental projects.
  • Analyze ecological datasets and create high-quality technical reports.
  • Mentor junior and intermediate staff within the marine science practice.

Benefits

  • Proudly recognized as a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
  • Access to a global network of professionals and opportunities.
  • Support for career growth tailored to individual ambitions.
  • Flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Job Description

What if you could redefine what's possible? With us, you can.
You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it.
We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers.
With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions. We are pathfinders and impact makers.
We are Visioneers.

We are WSP.

The Opportunity

Your Impact Starts Here - Join our BC Ecology & Environmental Impact Assessment team in Victoria, where your marine mammal expertise will help shape sustainable marine development across Canada's coastlines and northern regions. You'll work on complex, high-profile projects that protect marine ecosystems while supporting responsible growth in ports and harbours, energy, defence, marine shipping, and coastal infrastructure.

In this senior technical role, you'll lead advanced monitoring programs, guide regulatory processes, and influence decisions that elevate the protection of marine species and their habitats.

Your Impact
  • Design and lead marine mammal monitoring programs, including population surveys, behavioural assessments, underwater noise studies, and density modelling.
  • Deliver systematic aerial, vessel-based, and fixed-station surveys that inform species distribution, abundance, and habitat-use assessments.
  • Serve as Marine Mammal Technical Lead for major environmental impact assessments and regulatory applications under federal and territorial legislation.
  • Develop Environmental Protection Plans and mitigation strategies that reduce project-related effects on marine mammals.
  • Guide multidisciplinary project teams in scoping, planning, and executing complex marine environmental programs.
  • Interpret complex ecological datasets, producing defensible technical analyses and high-quality scientific reporting.
  • Mentor and support junior and intermediate staff, strengthening WSP's national marine science practice.

The Skills That Set You Apart
  • A graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in marine biology, marine mammal science, or wildlife ecology.
  • 10+ years in marine mammal research, monitoring, permitting, or field programs across BC, Atlantic Canada, and/or the Arctic.
  • Applied expertise in distance sampling, abundance modelling, and density surface modelling.
  • Demonstrated experience preparing marine regulatory submissions, including Fisheries Act Authorizations and SARA permits.
  • Strong analytical and statistical skills with experience handling large ecological datasets.
  • Experience developing marine mammal mitigation and monitoring plans for industrial or infrastructure projects.
  • Professional biology designation (e.g., RPBio or equivalent).
  • A collaborative leadership approach with experience guiding teams and contributing to business development.

Why Choose WSP?

We exist to shape communities to advance humanity. The brightest engineers, advisors and scientists from across the globe call WSP home.
  • Proudly Canadian - we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026
  • A global community of brilliant minds - your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
  • Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it's across the country or around the globe, we'll help you tailor your role to match your ambition-because your growth drives ours.
  • Flexible work, real balance - we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

#WeAreWSP

Compensation

AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $122,900 - $162,800
MB & ON: $112,100 - $154,400
NB, NL, NS, PEI & QC: $104,500 - $140,700

Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Make Your Mark with WSP

If you're driven by purpose and impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape the future of Canada's marine ecosystems.

About Us

WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms. Our purpose is to future proof our cities and environments.

We have over 65,000 team members across the globe. In Canada, our 12,000+ people are involved in everything from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transportation networks, from finding new ways to extract essential resources to developing renewable power sources for the future.

At WSP:

  • We value our people and our reputation
  • We are locally dedicated with international scale
  • We are future focused and challenge the status quo
  • We foster collaboration in everything we do
  • We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable

Please Note:

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations.

Offers of employment for safety-sensitive positions involving fieldwork are contingent upon candidates being able to perform key physical tasks of the job as described in the job posting and interview. This may include the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. For more information please READ THE FULL POLICY.

About WSP

WSP is a Canadian engineering consulting firm that provides services to transform the built environment and restore the natural environment. The firm's expertise ranges from environmental remediation and urban planning, to engineering iconic buildings and designing sustainable transport networks, to developing the energy sources of the future and enabling new ways of extracting essential resources. It has approximately 54,000 employees, including engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors, program and construction management professionals, and various environmental experts. WSP has offices in more than 40 countries and territories around the world.
Learn more about WSP
Size
54,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1959

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