Entry Level Freshwater Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Communities everywhere share the need for clean water. And as they work to meet that need, they're facing new, more complex challenges every day. Our water professionals collaborate to contribute innovative ideas, guided by scientific rigor and a vision for sustainable growth. Every day, we're helping communities improve, reuse, and protect our world's most precious resource.
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Combine your love of working underwater with your interest in the natural sciences! Stantec is hiring seasonal/ as-needed commercial dive supervisors to support our freshwater mussel surveys and underwater inspection work. We conduct biological surveys using SCUBA and surface-supplied air diving supervised by experienced scientific and commercial divers. Our underwater inspection work is supervised by experienced commercial dive supervisors and staffed with NHI-certified underwater bridge inspectors, professional engineers and engineer-divers (when required). Dive teams use full-face masks with communications or Kirby Morgan hard hats depending on the conditions. All diving adheres to or exceeds OSHA regulations. Our team fosters an inclusive safety culture that encourages people to bring up concerns and problem solve together.
Stantec provides a corporate credit card to use for reimbursable expenses for all business travel including flights, rental cars, meals, hotels and incidentals.
Responsibilities

• Act as a tender/rack operator/boat operator as part of the dive rotation;
• Assist with bathymetric and other acoustic imaging surveys;
• Assist with sediment sampling;
• Conduct freshwater mussel surveys on a team with malacologists, commercial and scientific divers;
• Conduct underwater inspections of structures such as bridges, culverts, piers, pipelines, and other structures as required;
• Enforce dive safety protocols and exercise good judgement;
• Learn how to deploy acoustic imaging devices and apply them to underwater surveys;
• Maintain, organize, and inventory diving equipment, boats, trailers, and vehicles;
• Operate boats and trailers;
• Operate specialized dive equipment including SCUBA gear, surface-supplied air systems, dive helmets, boats, trailers, and remotely operated vehicles (ROV's) when applicable;
• Perform extensive field deployments and frequent travel;
• Prepare and enforce dive plans, job hazard analyses, and emergency management plans for dive projects;
• Record dive logs;
• Set up dive station and check that all equipment is functioning correctly.

• Requirements
• Ability to operate diving equipment confidently and troubleshoot technical issues efficiently;
• Ability to pass a current ADCI or equivalent "fit to dive" physical;
• Ability to pass a DOT medical examination;
• Ability to work long field days and tolerate inclement weather and diving conditions;
• ADCI Surface-supplied air diving supervisor certification or greater;
• Basic computer skills necessary to send emails, participate in virtual meetings, input time cards and travel expense reports, etc.;
• Current First-Aid/CPR/AED, Emergency Oxygen Provider, or the ability to obtain upon hire;
• Current state issued driver's license;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word) and PDF software;
• Flexible schedule and willingness to travel for prolonged field assignments;
• High school diploma or greater;
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and safety standards relevant to commercial diving operations;
• Positive attitude, effective communication skills and ability to work well with others;
• Strong understanding of diving physics, safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and commitment to safe work operations.

Also seeking candidates with these skills/qualifications:

• Team leader qualifications under National Highway Institute;
• National Highway Institute Underwater Bridge Inspection Certificate;
• Entry-level commercial divers
• Malacologists

Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.
Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).
Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.
The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements
Primary Location: United States | OH | Cincinnati
Other Locations: United States | KY | Louisville
Organization: BC-1734 Water-US North Central
Employee Status: Regular
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: No
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 05/03/2026 03:03:58
Req ID: 1004553
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Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.