Senior​/Principal Ecologist Ornithology Specialism

Job Description
Overview

At AtkinsRéalis, our team of ecologists work throughout the UK to deliver a diverse range of challenging and exciting projects that benefit our clients, biodiversity and society.

As we grow and expand our portfolio across Scotland, supporting an increasing pipeline of projects and clients spanning all areas of infrastructure development and upgrade, we are seeking an enthusiastic Senior/Principal Ecologist to join our established Scottish ecology team. This role will support our clients, contribute to the development of new approaches to our work, and offer the opportunity to develop a career across all aspects of project delivery, working on projects that shape Scotland’s infrastructure and natural environment.

Although you will be aligned to our Glasgow office, all locations will be considered.

Joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant and high-profile projects, with many of our projects winning awards for biodiversity enhancements, innovation, and knowledge sharing. Our ecology team have previously been awarded CIEEM Large-Scale Consultancy of the Year Award and been highly commended over a number of years.

Please see a link to our AtkinsRéalis Ecology video. At AtkinsRéalis we are fully committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and work hard to make everyone feel respected, empowered and able to realise their full potential as important members of our team. Flexible working is a core part of our culture and we appreciate that different people have different priorities.

We recognise that a healthy work/life balance is integral to wellbeing and we are extremely supportive of individual requirements for flexible and remote working.

Read more about how you can thrive with us:
Equality, diversity & inclusion in the UK & Europe ()

• Leading on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets.
• Planning and undertaking a range of field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results with a strong focus on ornithology.
• Delivering input into Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Appraisal
• Designing and co-ordinating ecological mitigation.
• Authoring and checking/reviewing a range of ecological reports and survey data.
• Provide ecological advice to clients, planners and multi-disciplinary design teams and liaise with stakeholders.
• Taking a leadership role managing projects, building client relationships and work bank.
• Actively identifying, raising, managing and mitigating risks, particularly within a Project/Framework environment.
• Proactively providing innovation on projects and within the ecology team.
• Coaching, mentoring and supporting other staff members in their development.

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent, and chartership (CEcol or CEnv) or working towards this. AtkinsRéalis to cover membership costs.
• Strong skills in report writing, including preparing Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Chapters for Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessment (including Appropriate Assessment).
• Skilled ornithological surveyor including demonstrable competency and proven experience to capable level in line with CIEEM’s Competency Framework to lead bird surveys.
• Range of experience across surveys for both assemblage and species specific surveys with a focus on Scottish/upland species desirable.
• Experience in survey design and data interpretation for multi-season ornithological surveys. Experience of territory and collision risk analysis is desirable.
• The experience and ability to hold or have held Schedule 1 survey licences is strongly desirable. Demonstrable experience of working as an assistant or agent on a Schedule 1 licence will also be looked upon favourably.
• Ability and willingness to coordinate and lead other protected species surveys and production of deliverables in line with relevant good practice guidance.
• Experience of undertaking quality assurance and technical lead roles for projects.
• Demonstrable project management experience including technical, financial and quality…