Terrestrial Ecologist - Assistant Consultant

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to exciting and meaningful projects, and connect with talented professionals across a range of disciplines. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that values new ideas, different perspectives and collaboration, while developing a career that is as unique as you are.

As a Junior Terrestrial Ecologist
, you’ll join our Biodiversity team in Johannesburg, working on projects across South Africa and, where opportunities arise, elsewhere in Africa.

You’ll gain hands‑on experience across a diverse range of biodiversity projects, developing your terrestrial ecology, fieldwork and environmental consulting skills while working alongside experienced environmental professionals.

With us,
you can
.

A little more about your role

Your primary focus will be on terrestrial ecosystems
, supporting habitat, flora and fauna assessments and associated biodiversity studies.

While terrestrial ecology will be your core discipline, you’ll also have opportunities to support other biodiversity‑related disciplines where appropriate, allowing you to broaden your technical experience and understanding.

The role will involve a combination of fieldwork, data processing, technical reporting and project support. Given the nature of our work, you should be comfortable travelling and spending extended periods in the field when projects require it.

You will be involved in:

• Preparing for and undertaking terrestrial ecology field surveys, including habitat, flora and fauna assessments.
• Supporting biodiversity specialists across other disciplines where required and within your capabilities.
• Processing, managing and formatting ecological field data.
• Preparing baseline biodiversity and site sensitivity reports.
• Supporting the preparation of ecological and biodiversity impact assessment reports.
• Preparing terrestrial ecology monitoring reports covering habitats, fauna and flora.
• Supporting the wider WSP Environment & Energy business on multidisciplinary projects.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, clients and other technical specialists.

Meeting WSP and client health, safety, environmental and quality requirements throughout project delivery.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have a genuine enthusiasm for ecology and biodiversity, combined with a willingness to learn, develop your technical expertise and contribute positively to multidisciplinary project teams.

Qualifications and experience

• Ecology
  • Botany
  • Environmental Science
  • Biodiversity Conservation
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Related discipline
• Minimum of 2-years’ experience in the environmental field, with demonstratable experience undertaking field surveys and compiling relevant reports.
• Familiarity and experience with standard terrestrial ecology survey techniques in both fauna (mammal, amphibian, reptile, avifauna) and flora required, and a broad understanding of aquatic and wetland sampling techniques, advantageous. Willingness to spend extended time in the field, as required.
• SACNASP candidacy or higher required.
• Valid South African Passport required.
• Valid driver’s license and capability to operate manual transmission 4x4 vehicles required, 4x4 offroad experience is preferable.
• Previous consulting experience is beneficial.

Key Competencies and Generic

Skills:

• Technical report writing skills including the ability to produce professional reports in fluent English.
• Computer literate, inclusive of a strong understanding of the Microsoft software suite.
• Experience in use of GIS software (ESRI, QGIS, or similar) advantageous.
• Technical:
• Habitat assessment.
• Biodiversity screening.
• Ecological impact assessment.
• Data management and analysis.
• Spatial analysis.
• Profess…