Environmental Planner-Scientist

About Us

SOAR Professional Services is committed to being a change maker for Indigenous communities, with a workforce that is representative of the communities and the people we serve. SOAR is an Indigenous-led, staffed, and owned organization. SOAR stands for SHARED SUCCESS, OPPORTUNITIES, ACKNOWLEDGE, RESPECT. To this end, we are driven to find the right people who share our values and can be champions of innovation and change for our clients with a strategic eye on the development of resilient solutions for generations to come. 

We’re looking for passionate and talented Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit, Métis) professionals who are ready to make a difference!

Working @ SOAR Professional Services

SOAR employees are provided a relaxed working environment and the opportunity for growth and career development.

To perform at their best, we understand our employees need balance. With benefits including flexible work arrangements and a combined time off policy, employees have options to handle the priorities in their lives.

Mentoring, growth, and room for advancement are important at SOAR. We believe that engaged employees passionate about what they are doing translates to a positive experience for our clients and ultimately more opportunities to expand your professional skills and abilities.

Our base compensation is set at the market rate for our competitive marketplace and our benefits and work-life rewards are at or slightly above our competitive marketplace.SOAR offers competitive salaries, exceptional time off policies, comprehensive health, dental, and wellness benefits, and generous retirement plans including, but not limited to:

  • Base Pay
  • Retirement Savings Plan (SOAR matches employee contributions up to 5.5%), or Student Debt Repayment Program (SOAR matches employees contribution up to 5.5%)
  • Health Benefits Plan (Vision, Health, Dental)
  • Wellness Benefits $200/per year for a variety of health and/or wellness-related activities such as gym memberships, purchase of home fitness equipment, fitness classes, yoga classes, golf green fees, and ski lift tickets.
  • Sick/Caregiver Leave
  • Cultural Leave to spend time in your traditional territory and/or community for cultural/spiritual practices, hunting/trapping, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, etc.
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program
  • Internal and external professional development opportunities
  • Professional designation reimbursement
  • Ownership Opportunities
  • Volunteering in the community in which you live and work and opportunities for pro bono work

Environmental Planner/Scientist

This role will give you the chance to work for and contribute to the success of an innovative new Indigenous professional services organization with an incredibly supportive management team who is dedicated to your success, professional development, and the advancement of our clients strategic initiatives.

What your day will look like (Responsibilities)

  • Assist project managers with the successful completion of multi-disciplinary project work (e.g., preparation, monitoring and execution of project plans, reports, proposals, contract reviews)
  • Coordinate with team members including; engineers, planners, GIS specialists, and environmental scientists
  • Participate in environmental field surveys to collect data such as ecological land classification, aquatic assessments, vegetation inventories, wildlife surveys (e.g., amphibians, birds), and soil or water quality sampling
  • Support public, regulatory agency, and Indigenous consultation and engagement activities and events
  • Participate in client meetings in support of project execution and business development and client relationship management
  • Travel to client locations and other SOAR and Dillon Consulting’s offices 

Qualifications (What you will need to succeed)

  • A university or college degree in planning, environmental studies/science, geography, or a related field considered an asset
  • A strong interest in Indigenous economic development, renewable energy, environmental assessment and permitting, and community consultation and engagement
  • Ability to work independently (self-driven) and contribute to a multi-disciplinary team environment
  • Strong communication, report writing, organization, and interpersonal skills
  • Driver's license

Experience (What value you bring)

Experience and interest in Indigenous culture, provincial, territorial, and federal environmental assessment and regulatory permitting processes and renewable energy projects (e.g., wind, solar, powerlines) 

  • Understanding of environmental assessment requirements and legislation, such as the federal Impact Assessment Act, Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, and Renewable Energy Approvals in Ontario Regulation 359/09
  • Demonstrated abilities in multi-disciplinary teamwork, detail-oriented tasks, and technical report writing
  • Experience with natural environment field inventory methods (e.g., aquatic habitat assessment, vegetation and wetland classification, wildlife habitat assessment)
  • Indigenous cultural knowledge (including generational) and/or Indigenous language proficiency is considered an asset
  • Proficiency in the use of word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Reader)
  • A commitment to self-development and ongoing learning and professional development
  • Contribution to SOAR’s corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees

SOAR is committed to providing professional opportunities for Indigenous employees. Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants, please self-identify. We also encourage you to contact James Arnold at JArnold@soarps.ca if you require accommodation in the interview process.