Senior Ecologist

Role description

As a Senior Ecologist, you would be joining our team of over 50 ecologists with more than 30 years of experience undertaking ecological surveys and assessments, as well as the provision of advice on soil, land use, hydrological and sustainable drainage issues, arboriculture, ecosystem service, natural capital assessment, biodiversity strategies and metrics and cultural heritage. During this time, we have undertaken over 2,000 projects covering a wide range of environmental disciplines throughout the UK, in Europe and beyond, for public and private clients.

As part of our Environmental team, you’ll help improve quality of life. With your specialism in environmental management, or your technical or sustainability expertise, your work could involve protected species, pollution, surface water and materials management, air quality or noise. And in some of the world’s busiest and most beautiful locations.

Presently, we are engaged on a variety of large and interesting projects, including Urban and Greenfield Residential Development, Highway and Rail Schemes, Power Stations, Electrical and Gas Infrastructure, and are working for a wide selection of clients based throughout the UK, including EDF Energy, National Grid, the Environment Agency, Transport for London, Highways England, Network Rail, the Canal and River Trust, and Housing Associations.

We are also involved in international work via Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessments and our natural capital community of practice.

This role has a focus working within Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Reporting to the Team Leader, you will be accountable for the coordination and completion of assigned tasks and projects within the Business Unit or project team. You will be responsible for leading and managing the delivery of small projects to meet time, budgetary and Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) targets, managing the ecological aspects of the client relationship so that delivery exceeds client expectations.

You will take a leadership role on small to medium sized projects, providing both direction and technical advice and leading by example.

We will ensure that we offer personal development which will allow you to progress your career and offer you the opportunity to be mentored by industry‑recognised Technical Leaders in their field, who will lend you their experience and ensure that the training you receive will give you the best possible chance of success.

• Knowledge and proven experience working within Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) projects
• Proven commercial and project management skills for small to medium projects
• Knowledge of ecological principles, relevant environmental and EcIA legislation, policy and guidance
• In‑depth knowledge of particular plant or animal groups and appropriate field survey skills
• Experienced in categorizing and assessing habitats from the plant communities present
• Excellent reporting skills, with a proven track record in writing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), writing or assisting on Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and Ecology Chapters for Environmental Statements
• Basic experience in writing or assisting with project and/or plan‑level Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA)
• Experience of bid production and client interaction
• Ability to lead surveys and manage small survey teams

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I work streams:
Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.