Senior Ecologist

Mott MacDonald; Southampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000

Job description

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

The Water Consultancy Division is Mott MacDonald’s centre of excellence for responding to water and wastewater challenges, offering fantastic opportunities to get involved in diverse and technically challenging work. The work we do is at the forefront of ensuring safe water supplies for future generations and protecting our environment. Our multi-disciplinary teams provide a variety of services throughout the full project life cycle, from advisory services and feasibility studies, through outline and detailed design, to construction support and site supervision.

About the role

Mott MacDonald are leading the way in Nature Services and we are looking for people to join our Ecology Team and to play their part in integrating nature into all developments so that together with our clients we can build a better future.

We pride ourselves on setting and maintaining high standards and are at the forefront of providing ecological advice. Our team has written guidance and delivered training on BNG and contributed to CIEEM’s raising standards documents.

We’ve developed innovative tools to more robustly and efficiently collect and manage ecological data to enable our team to focus on really making a difference. We’ve provided detailed biodiversity advice to improve NHS hospitals for people and the planet, we’re delivering Nature-based solutions for water treatment and flood management and we’re over-seeing the production of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. We have a large portfolio of projects and a healthy forward-order book bringing with it fantastic opportunities for Ecologists at all levels. Our Southampton Office is well situated close to the train station and the team consists of 11 members from Graduate to Senior Associate Level.

Joining our team at Senior Ecologist level you will have a balance of office-based and site work. You will lead the ecological elements for small/medium projects (with inputs from more senior staff as required) and you will be responsible for the deliverables on your projects. You will support more junior members of staff, including for field work. You will have the opportunity to expand your experience by working on large scale projects for example, as a deputy to a technical specialist. You could also develop your skills in project management if this is an area you are keen on.

The projects you will be working on can span all stages of a project’s life cycle, from design conception to implementation; giving opportunities to positively influence scheme design, and enhancements and promote best practice.

Although you will be a member of the Southampton ecology team, you will also be connected to a much larger team of ecologists. There are excellent opportunities to progress your career through promotion, as well as develop a key role within our ecology team.

The role will suit a dynamic, proactive team-player who wants to work in a growth area of the business and help support the delivery of ecology services in a fast-moving, client-focused, commercial environment.

To be considered for the role you must have:

• A degree in Ecology (or a directly related subject). An additional higher degree would be an advantage.
• Extensive experience in Ecological Consultancy (or equivalent with transferable skills).
• A Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent.
• Knowledge of wildlife legislation including planning processes and preliminary ecological appraisals.
• Proficiency in report writing skills, displaying high standards with attention to detail and ability to write accurate and concise reports, such as ecological appraisals, survey reports and method statements.
• Personal conservation licence for at least one protected species and/or FISC Level 4 (or ability to achieve this when assessed).
• Experience of Project Management.
• Experience of preparing costs for bids.
• Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Biologist.
• Experience in undertaking Ecological Clerk of Works roles (and CSCS card).
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK.

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

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.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

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.