Natural Areas Specialist

City of Mississauga•Mississauga, ON

1d•CA$80,567 - CA$107,426•Onsite

About The Position

As a Natural Areas Specialist, you’ll be at the heart of Mississauga’s mission to protect and enhance its natural heritage system. This role offers the opportunity to lead the city's Invasive Species Management program and restore natural areas into thriving ecosystems for the future. You’ll oversee the full lifecycle of environmental initiatives, from strategic planning to hands-on implementation, maintenance and monitoring. Whether managing contracts, coordinating teams, or ensuring ecological standards and safety, you’ll bring technical expertise and leadership to every step. Collaboration is key: you’ll forge strong partnerships across city departments and with external stakeholders to drive sustainable outcomes. This is more than a job—it’s a chance to shape the future of Mississauga’s urban environment. If you’re passionate about biodiversity, resilient landscapes, and making a tangible impact, this role puts you where it matters most.

Requirements

Post-secondary degree or diploma in ecology, biology, environmental science, or related discipline.
Must be eligible to become a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) or a Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) or Professional Biologist (P.Biol.)
Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in natural areas management or ecosystem restoration
Experience in ecosystem restoration, naturalization, invasive species management, habitat restoration, and stewardship in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
Demonstrated experience overseeing projects and contractors, including developing procurement documents, budget control, meeting deadlines and deliverables, contractor quality control, working with/on project teams and working groups
Experience in writing and administering grants for natural areas projects.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with residents, stakeholders and elected officials effectively
Sound knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, and policies (i.e. Occupational Health and Safety Act, Municipal Act, Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Conservation Authorities Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, etc.)
Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends
Must hold a valid Ontario Class G Driver’s License or higher with an acceptable driving record
Must be willing to obtain a recent driver's abstract at your own expense

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certification in Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario
Certification in the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and deliver all phases of Invasive species management projects related to Mississauga’s natural areas.
Oversee contractors and consultants, ensuring work meets specifications, budgets, and timelines.
Develop project work plans, designs, and technical documents to support implementation.
Administer and monitor contracts, including procurement, budgeting, invoicing, and performance evaluation.
Provide functional guidance, training, and leadership support to team members.
Write and administer grants for natural areas projects.
Integrate and maintain natural area data related to invasive species management and restoration needs within City platforms such as ArcGIS and Infor/IFI to support operational efficiency.
Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, corporate policies, and environmental standards.
Prepare project reports, correspondence, presentations, and updates for leadership and stakeholders.
Respond to public and Council inquiries, fostering positive relationships.
Represent the City at meetings, working groups, and community events to advance natural areas initiatives.