Looking to work on projects that create positive outcomes for biodiversity?
As Principal Ecologist, you'll lead and deliver ecology and biodiversity projects, helping to meet client requirements across a variety of planning projects. You'll manage projects from inception through to completion, provide technical expertise, support junior colleagues and contribute to wider project teams.
What's in it for you?
Competitive salary package
Enhanced pension contribution
Enhanced family-friendly policies
Two paid volunteer days each year
Training and professional development programmes
Hybrid working
Regular team socials
The Role
You'll be responsible for delivering ecology and biodiversity projects in support of the planning process, managing work from inception through to completion and providing technical input across the wider nature team.
Your work will include:
Lead and deliver ecology and biodiversity projects
Manage low to moderate complexity projects from inception through to completion
Produce and undertake technical QA reviews of PEAs, BNG Assessments and protected species reports
Complete BNG calculations using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric
Undertake and lead straightforward to medium-complexity field surveys, including UKHab, PEA and bat surveys
Produce biodiversity net gain plans and mapping using QGIS
Contribute to the preparation of reports and proposals
Line manage, support and mentor consultant and graduate team members
Attend client and project meetings
Liaise with clients, consultants and external stakeholders
About You
Relevant degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or a related scientific discipline, with an MSc desirable
Confident using QGIS, with the ability to independently produce high-quality habitat and survey maps
Experience independently undertaking PEAs on moderately complex sites
Strong knowledge of BNG and practical experience using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric
Experience planning and leading moderate-complexity bat survey projects
Ability to identify common bat species in the field and through recognised bat call identification software
Experience carrying out other protected species surveys
Good botanical knowledge, with the ability to classify straightforward sites using UKHab criteria to FISC Level 3
Experience in at least one additional protected species or ecology discipline, such as HRA or EcIA
Bat licence and/or bird survey experience would be highly desirable
Associate CIEEM membership and working towards Full membership
Excellent report writing, project management and client relationship skills
Highly organised, self-motivated and comfortable working independently
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