Principal Ecologist

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Introduction

With support from an experienced UK team of ecologists, we are looking for a Principal Ecologist to be based in our Southampton office with demonstrable project management experience.

Important

Proven track record in project management

The Job

This is a key position within our clients National Ecology team. Our client are seeking a strong individual who can help the established team develop the ecological business in the region and manage large and exciting projects including residential, mixed-use developments, new road schemes and solar farms. They will serve a diverse client base, attend project meetings and public consultations, and engage with stakeholders including Natural England and the local authorities. They will also provide support, advice and training to other members of the team. The key elements of the role include the application of ecological principles to a range of projects, an in-depth knowledge of wildlife law, and the ability to identify pragmatic and client-focussed solutions to ecological constraints.

Although interacting with clients and project teams will be the focus, this role will also involve field work to support this office’s busy and changing survey schedule. It will require the provision of support to team leaders, supervision of junior staff and liaison with a range of technical and non-technical bodies including other teams within the organization. Applicants with Natural England survey licences (e.g. bats, hazel dormouse and great crested newt in particular), ornithological and/or invertebrate skills are highly desirable. Experience in mitigation and development licensing, especially in relation to residential developments, would also be a significant advantage.

Sitting within an established team in Southampton, the successful candidate will also work closely with our wider ecology team, including ecologists in Bristol, Cardiff and Wellington. They will require a proven track record in project management, field work and technical reporting with a desire to mentor other staff and improve knowledge of their chosen field across the national team. With an ambition for continued growth for the ecology business, there is room for the right candidate to progress.

Our client operate as one national team and support each other through mentoring, internal and external training, team Away Days, and shadowing on projects. They promote internal progression and provide managerial as well as technical training to allow each ecologist to develop along a personalised career path.

Key Accountabilities:
- Reporting to the ecology team leader in Southampton.
- To become an integrated member of the Southampton and UK ecology teams. 
- Effective management of and responsibility for large ecology projects including input to fee proposals, technical report writing and reviewing, tracking of project costs and providing support to junior team members projects. 
- Clear written and verbal communication with clients and other stakeholders. 
- Completion of ecology surveys and pragmatic interpretation.

Essential:
- Good client management, written and verbal communication skills. 
- Good team working and project management skills. 
- Good knowledge of relevant UK and European legislation, policy and guidance. 
- Excellent field skills covering a range of taxa including Phase 1 habitat surveys, protected species habitat assessments, bat, great crested newt, reptile, dormice, badger water vole and otter surveys. 
- Experience of preparing mitigation method statements, including drafting licences applications, ideally for EPS. 
- Experience of working in teams and independently with a proactive approach to progressing schemes. 
- Good business development skills or ambition to develop these skills. 
- Ability to communicate on appropriate technical and commercial levels internally and to a diverse range of current and potential clients. 
- Eye for detail to assist in report reviews. 
- Good IT skills including MS Word and Excel. 
- Full driving licence. 
- Relevant degree as a minimum. 
- Membership of an appropriate professional body (e.g. IEEM) or ability to apply.

Desirable:
- Specialist skills in areas such as GIS, bat sound analysis, ornithology, invertebrate and protected species mitigation. 
- Natural England development or EPS licence holder. 
- Chartered Environmentalist or ability to apply.

To apply for this position, candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK