Natural Areas Specialist

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 transformative projects that restore, enhance and expand natural habitats and maintain them over time- turning your vision into thriving ecosystems.

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.

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver all phases of habitat restoration, maintenance and monitoring 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 maintenance, monitoring, 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.

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in ecology, biology, environmental sicence, 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.)
• Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP), or Certification in Ecological Land Classification for Southern Ontario, and the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System would be an asset
• 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
• Primarily office environment. Occasional field work in varying environments, terrain and weather conditions