Ecologist

JBA Consulting is seekng an ecologist to join the Ecology Team based either in Doncaster or Tadcaster.

Reporting to the Ecology Team Leader, you will be expected to undertake surveys, interpret the results and provide verbal and written reports and advice to colleagues within the company and to clients.  Previous experience of a range of ecological survey work is essential.

JBA Consulting’s Ecology Team offers solutions to our clients’ many needs with regard to the natural environment.  With a focus particularly on the water environment and its management, including protected wetlands, coastal protection, rivers and drainage systems, we specialise in negotiation and relationship building with local and national authorities, whilst maintaining independence and objectivity. 

The Ecology Team provides ecological solutions UK wide on issues such as protected species and habitat surveys, EIA, SSSI management and habitat creation and restoration, as well as advising clients on issues such as legislation, habitat monitoring and management. In addition to water-based environments, in recent years the team has broadened the focus of their offering to encompass the rail industry, wind farm developments, raised mire systems and specialist vegetation surveying.

Responsibilities/Accountabilities

The Ecologist role will inevitably be office-based, however regular site visits and field survey work will also be required.  Although based with other members of the Environment Division in one of our offices in the North of England, you will be required to manage yourself on a day-to-day basis and be responsible for checking and critically appraising your own work. To complement the current members of the Ecology team, the post will involve demonstration of a high level of ecological knowledge in development of survey and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, continued demonstration of team working skills and personal effectiveness will be required.

The role is in support of our Senior Ecologists and will be expected to concentrate on developing the company’s capabilities in site assessment, monitoring and enhancement.   The successful candidate will be required to:

• Undertake EcIAs 
• Undertake surveys for a range of habitats and species
• Help prepare the ecology and nature conservation chapters of Environmental Impact Assessments
• Work with, and advise, other discipline teams on large projects
• Have worked on ecological mitigation strategies including their delivery on site
• Embrace the concept of continued professional development and integrate this into their work
• Aim to provide expert advice to other discipline specialists, engineers and clients relating to the undertaking of ecological consultancy work
• In the medium to long term, contribute to a programme of team capability expansion in response to market demands
• Support delivery of marketing initiatives and, where/when appropriate, the production of tenders and project proposals
• Contribute to the development of new best-practice principles and concepts, and develop innovative solutions for clients
• Attend meetings with clients and others outside normal working hours if necessary

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have a degree in ecology or a related discipline and membership of a professional body (eg. IEEM).  They will also be able to demonstrate a good ecological skillset and have undertaken a wide range of ecological survey work. Protected species licence holders and previous experience of applying for protected species licences would be beneficial, and previous experience of drawing up and implementing management plans and mitigation strategies for non-native invasive species and protected species would also be preferable. 

They will be technically knowledgeable to a level sufficient to meet the above requirements and also be able to demonstrate fluency and consistency in verbal and written English, in both technical and plain English writing styles, and have excellent interpersonal skills.  

Computer literacy, especially with a thorough working knowledge of the full suite of Microsoft Office programs is also essential and experience of ArcGIS and/or Recorder preferable. Because we work across the UK, a full, clean driving licence is essential.

For further information about the application procedure, salary and benefits, please download an application form.

If you would like an informal chat about the position, please contact Rachael Brady, 01302 342 055.