Principal Freshwater Ecologist

Mott MacDonald; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000

Job description

Location/s: Any location in UK.
Relocation supported: Not supported, but internal applications are welcome.
Recruiter contact: Nikki George
Hiring manager contact: Celia Baiao

We’re a global engineering, management, and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.

About the division

Environmental and social considerations are central to Mott MacDonald’s Purpose and its offerings across all sectors and territories. Our environment and social business provides essential services and innovative solutions which anticipate our clients' needs across all sectors.

We are proud to be one of Glassdoor’s top employers to work for in the UK, as well as being recognised as a Top Inclusive Company in the UK.

Overview of the role:

You will be joining a multidisciplinary environmental team, working closely with other disciplines to ensure freshwater ecological tasks for projects are delivered successfully, with a key focus on managing a range of aquatic ecological deliverables such as hydroecology studies, EIAs, HRAs and WFDs as well as Drought Plans and Environmental destination assessments.

As part of this role you will be advising clients and design teams on the implementation of national and international environmental and ecological best practice. You will be defining freshwater ecological monitoring requirements and managing sub-consultants to carry out surveys. You will also be preparing technical reports and undertaking project management, including resource planning and managing budgets. There will also be the opportunity to contribute to work winning, including the development of proposals. The role will suit a dynamic, proactive person who wants to work in a growth area of our business and help with the delivery of freshwater ecological services in a fast-moving, client-focused commercial environment.

Minimum Requirements:

• Relevant degree in Ecology, Biology, Zoology, Aquatic Ecology, Hydro-ecology or directly related subject; degree at Grade 2.1 or above.
• Able to undertake: macrophyte surveys and river habitat assessments.
• Demonstrable knowledge of freshwater habitats function and aquatic species ecology.
• Experience in undertaking freshwater ecology environmental impact assessments, HRAs and EIAs.
• Good understanding of UK conservation legislation and development of mitigation strategies for protected aquatic species and habitats.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team; show initiative, make robust, defensible decisions and work to tight deadlines to meet client needs. Strong report writing skills, attention to detail and ability to write concise reports.
• Able to communicate effectively with their line manager, project managers, project teams, colleagues, stakeholders and clients in person, by telephone, e-mail and reports.

Good to have:

• Experience in undertaking Habitat Regulation Assessments and/or Water Framework Directive assessments.
• Good knowledge of aquatic invasive species and mitigation/control measures.
• Demonstrable experience in hydroecology and ecological flow target setting.
• Experience working with biological indices.

UK Immigration:

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion:

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility:

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Happy to talk Flexible Working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

Benefits:

• Health and wellbeing:
• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• Financial wellbeing:
• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
• Lifestyle:
• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.
• Enhanced family and carers leave:
• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• Learning and development:
• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.
• Networks, communities, and social outcomes:
• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.