Senior Ecologist

Overview

Tetra Tech is seeking a Senior Ecologist to join our high-performing ecology team, delivering technically robust and commercially aware solutions across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects throughout Scotland and the wider UK. Opportunities available in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness.

This is an opportunity to contribute to complex, high-profile work that supports the transition to clean energy and sustainable development, while developing your expertise across a varied and meaningful project portfolio.

As a Senior Ecologist, you will manage a varied portfolio of ecological projects, delivering work in line with UK legislation, planning policy, and ecological best practice. You will contribute to a broad range of development projects across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors, including developments under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act and major infrastructure projects supporting Scotland’s energy transition.

You will play a key role in producing high-quality ecological outputs, supporting project delivery - from survey and assessment through to mitigation and stakeholder engagement. Depending on experience, the role may also include line management responsibilities and mentoring junior members of the ecology team.

This opportunity is ideally suited to an ecologist who combines strong technical expertise with commercial awareness, confidence in client-facing environments, and a collaborative, solutions focused approach to project delivery.

Deliver high quality ecological surveys, assessments, and reporting that support planning, regulatory compliance, and informed decision-making across a diverse range of projects in Scotland and the wider UK. Apply sound ecological judgement to produce clear, pragmatic and commercially aware recommendations.

Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring deliverables are completed on time, within budget and to a consistently high standard. Contribute to fee proposals, tender submissions, invoicing, and the effective financial management of projects.

Adopt a forward thinking approach to ecology, with an interest in nature-based solutions, ecological resilience, and multidisciplinary collaboration, including integration with landscape, planning and hydrology teams. Promote innovation, best practice and continuous knowledge sharing across the business.

Develop and maintain strong client relationships, communicating confidently with clients, regulators and other stakeholders. Act as a trusted and knowledgeable ecological advisor, supporting successful project outcomes and long-term partnerships.

Support the development of junior ecologists through mentoring, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing. Where appropriate, contribute to line management responsibilities and help build a collaborative high-performing team culture.

Expected Training, Qualifications & Experience

• Experienced in ecological consultancy;
• Bachelor’s degree, and ideally Master’s degree in Ecology or a closely related discipline;
• Associate membership of CIEEM.
• Understanding of the Scottish planning system and relevant environmental legislation.
• Competent in UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) and habitat condition assessments.
• Experience designing and undertaking a range of ecological surveys with the ability to interpret findings and deliver robust ecological assessments.
• Experience supporting ecological mitigation strategies, including protected species licensing and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties.
• Full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across Scotland and the UK, with overnight stays where required.

Beneficial Training, Qualifications Or Equivalent Work Experience

• [KS1] Holding one or more protected species survey licences would be advantageous, particularly for bats and great crested newts.
• FISC Level 4 accreditation highly desirable.

This role can be based across several locations in Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. It…