Environmental Specialist

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is seeking an Environmental Specialist in Ottawa, ON, to develop biodiversity surveys, manage environmental data, and ensure compliance with regulations. Responsibilities include designing monitoring frameworks, maintaining data quality, providing ecological expertise, and preparing reports. Candidates should have a Bachelor's in a relevant field, five years of experience in environmental roles, and knowledge of environmental laws. Strong communication and project management skills are essential.
Are you looking for a role that challenges you and lets you make a real impact on environmental protection? Can you see yourself developing biodiversity surveys, managing meaningful environmental data, and supporting compliance across a unique laboratory site? Do you enjoy coordinating field work and contributing to procedures that strengthen biodiversity management? If you do, our Chalk River location is looking for an Environmental Protection Specialist to help advance our biodiversity monitoring program and support responsible environmental stewardship. This may be the job for you! Apply today!

What will you be doing!
• Designing and implementing biodiversity monitoring frameworks to track key species, habitats, and ecological indicators across project areas.
• Maintaining data integrity and quality by establishing protocols for field data collection, storage, validation, and analysis.
• Providing environmental and ecological expertise during project planning, impact assessments, and design reviews.
• Developing, evaluating, and recommending mitigation measures to reduce project impacts on biodiversity, habitat, and natural resources.
• Preparing environmental reports and documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal standards (e.g., mitigation plans, monitoring results, technical memos, Species at Risk permit applications).
• Ensuring regulatory compliance by interpreting relevant legislation, guidelines, permits, and environmental commitments.
• Providing technical guidance and training to project staff on environmental best practices, field protocols, and mitigation strategies. Other duties as assigned by your manager.

What we are looking for:
• Education
• Honours Bachelor's in Biology, Science, Environmental Studies or related field from a university of recognized standing or membership in a scientific professional organization authorized by statute to establish qualification for membership in that organization.
• Experience
• At least five years of progressive experience in the environmental field, including demonstrated responsibility growth and proven expertise in wildlife management best practices.
• Experience in field inspection to ensure compliance with Federal requirements is required.
• Experience in the development process of a Forest Management Plan, wildlife habitat modelling tools and stakeholder engagement is desirable.
• Experience in a nuclear facility would be an asset.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Knowledge of Federal and Ontario environmental laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of species at risk identification, ecology, habitat characteristics, major threats, and survey protocols.
• Strong working knowledge of mapping software such as MapInfo or ArcGIS.
• Strong communication and public presentation skills.
• Effective written communication skills to clearly document engagement outcomes and resolutions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with managers, project teams, regulatory affairs, Indigenous communities, and support groups.
• Ability to assess field and project conditions, identify non‑compliances, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Some knowledge of ISO‑14001 standards and their application is desirable.
• Familiarity with data management and project management software is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Access, Excel, and Word.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
• Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”

Working Conditions:
• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty-seven and a half (37.5) hour work week.
• This position is part of the CRPEG Union and is governed by the terms and conditions outlined in the CRPEG Collective Agreement. As a member of this bargaining unit, you’ll benefit from clear expectations around hours of work, wages, vacation, and other conditions that support a fair and consistent working environment.
• This position requires fieldwork (approximately 25% of the time), including in various weather conditions. The field work would involve walking long distances in a forested environment and being outside for an extended period.
• The office working environment (approximately 75% of the time) is provided in a cubicle and/or shared-space setting.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team:
• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
• A defined-benefit pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?
• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!

Location: Fully Onsite

This role is a fully onsite role that requires the employee to primarily work at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratory site, with only occasional opportunities to work remotely, if desired by the employee. Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work-life balance.

Please note: This is a fully on-site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. Click here to read all about it!

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:
• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity
• Excellence

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via jobs@cnl.ca. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.