Ecologist

Tasks

HARP is a major scheme to maintain drinking water supplies across Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester for future generations. The Haweswater Aqueduct is a 110km pipeline which runs from the Lake District, through Lancashire and into Greater Manchester. Originally constructed in the 1950s, the pipeline needs essential upgrade work and will see the replacement of the existing tunnel sections to ensure it can continue to supply customers for generations to come.

The Ecologist will provide expert on-site ecological support to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, planning conditions, and biodiversity mitigation commitments during construction or development projects. This role acts as the liaison between the construction team, clients, statutory agencies (e.g., Natural England, Environment Agency), and ecological stakeholders.

• Conduct ecological supervision and monitoring during pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases.
• Ensure compliance with ecological mitigation measures and environmental commitments.
• Carry out tool-box talks and ecological briefings for contractors and site operatives.
• Supervise and/or conduct ecological surveys (e.g., NVC, nesting birds, reptiles, bats, otter, badgers, great crested newts).
• Provide advice on best practice construction techniques to minimise ecological impact.
• Monitor ecological exclusion zones, buffer zones, and habitat protection areas.
• Produce site visit reports, compliance audits, and records of ecological constraints.
• Assist in the drafting and implementation of ecological aspects of Environmental Management System documentation and planning submissions, e.g. Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs), Habitat Management Plans, and Landscape and Ecological Management Plans (LEMPs).
• Liaise with stakeholders including local planning authorities, ecologists, and NGOs.
• Respond promptly to unexpected ecological issues (e.g. protected species discoveries) and provide solutions to avoid project delays.

• Membership (or eligibility) of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). Desired
• Proven experience as an Ecological Clerk of Works or in ecological consultancy.
• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Protected species licences (e.g., bats, great crested newts) desirable.
• Strong field survey skills, management plan and report writing capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a construction environment.
• Working knowledge of UK and EU wildlife legislation (e.g. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Habitats Regulations 2017).

• Experience working on large infrastructure, transport, or utilities projects.
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Natural Capital assessment and calculation.
• GIS or mapping experience.