Senior Ornithologist

Tetra Tech is seeking a Senior Ornithologist to join our wider high-performing ecology team, delivering technically robust and commercially aware solutions across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects throughout the UK.

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 Ornithologist, you will manage a varied portfolio of projects, delivering work in line with UK legislation, planning policy, and ecological best practice. You will contribute to a broad range of projects across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors as well as conservation and research.

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 members of the ecology team.

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

You will play an important role in shaping the success of both regional and national work by contributing technical expertise, sound professional judgement, and practical solutions to complex environmental challenges. Your work will directly support the delivery of major developments across the UK, helping to maintain a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and sustainable outcomes.

Through your contribution, the team will continue to provide timely, pragmatic ecological advice, achieve successful project outcomes and strengthen long-term client relationships. You may also support the development of future ecological talent through mentoring, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within the wider team.

Deliver high quality 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.

• Experienced in ecological / ornithological consultancy;
• Bachelor’s degree, or above in Ecology or a closely related discipline (or comparable suite of experience);
• Understanding of the planning system and relevant environmental legislation.
• Experience designing and undertaking a range of surveys with the ability to interpret findings and deliver robust assessments.
• Experience supporting ecological mitigation strategies, including Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties.
• Full UK driving licence,…