Senior Ecologist

Wardell Armstrong; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000

Job description

Wardell Armstrong LLP is a successful multi-disciplinary consultancy with 13 offices across the UK, employing approximately 500 staff. At the heart of our business lies a group of outstanding people. Working together with our clients, we deliver solutions to challenging problems in Mining & Minerals, Infrastructure & Energy, and Property & Development.

The Opportunity

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and open-minded Senior or Principal Ecologist (approx. 5-8 years experience) to work alongside our established team at our Leeds office.

The opportunity is to develop new clients and business opportunities, manage a range of existing projects, and enhance the technical capabilities of the team. You will deliver high-quality, free-thinking advice on a variety of projects across the UK, working closely with our other environmental specialists in planning, arboriculture, acoustics, air quality, and landscape design.

In this exciting role you will:

1. Lead and undertake ecological field surveys and analyze and interpret survey results.
2. Produce preliminary ecological appraisals, survey reports, licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments, and other similar documents.
3. Devise and implement mitigation strategies and habitat management opportunities.
4. Provide technical input and support to internal offices and clients.
5. Mentor junior team members.
6. Take responsibility for managing projects including resource allocation, managing subcontractors, managing risk, quality assurance, and client feedback.
7. Develop emerging workstreams such as Biodiversity Net Gain.
8. Prepare fee proposals and assist in the development of new business areas.

As the successful candidate you will:

1. Be qualified to degree level or equivalent in ecology or a related discipline.
2. Hold or be working towards protected species survey licences and have some experience of protected species Mitigation Licensing.
3. Be an Associate or Full member of CIEEM or other relevant institute.
4. Have a full understanding of habitat survey and a broad knowledge of protected species survey.
5. Be comfortable writing Ecological Impact Assessment reports and understanding of CIEEM methodology.
6. Have competent GIS skills, full understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, and use of typical metric calculators.
7. Have experience of managing ecology projects to completion.
8. Have a proven track record of mentoring and managing junior staff.
9. Be self-motivated with strong communication skills, able to work as part of a team.
10. Have excellent report writing skills.

Applicants must be flexible over travel and hours, particularly during the relevant survey periods, and be prepared to work away from home as projects require. Due to the nature of the work, a full driving licence and access to a car is required.

Career Progression

We offer excellent prospects, particularly if you have the experience, ambition, and capability to reach the highest levels in your profession. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

We offer:

• Membership of the Firm's Group Personal Pension Plan, with Employer's contribution of up to 5%.
• Payment of relevant professional subscriptions.
• 24 days annual leave per year.
• Membership to the Firm's Private Health Care Scheme.
• Inclusion in the Firm's Critical Illness policy.
• Inclusion in the Firm's Life Assurance Policy given as 3 times annual salary.
• Mobile Phone with inclusive tariff including personal usage.
• Flexi-Time Working Schedule.
• Long service awards.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Travel Loans.
• Recruitment Bounty Scheme.

A structured training and mentoring process.