Our client is a leading consultancy that specialise in providing practical solutions to ecological problems for clients in both the public and private sectors. Due to the continued success in the industry they are seeking to appoint an experienced Senior Ecologist to be involved in all areas of ecology work but with an emphasis on dealing with protected species issues.
The successful candidate will be expected to manage staff and individual contracts, in order to deliver high quality services for the company within budget and to meet deadlines. They will also be involved in costing work and preparing tenders.
Responsibilities
- You must be able to demonstrate excellent management skills, to oversee a busy and varied workload and to supervise field staff undertaking, amongst other things, bats surveys and assessments, other protected species surveys and assessments, Phase 1 habitat surveys and ecological Clerk of Works and Watching Brief roles on construction contracts.
- You will be required to undertake survey works.
- You will be required to prepare, submit and implement European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licences the protected species as required.
- You will be required to take on and manage individual contracts, in order to deliver high quality services within budget and to meet deadlines. This will involve: liaising with clients, other consultants; acquiring data from third parties; organising and supervising sub-contractors and other staff; preparing maps and writing and editing reports.
- You will be involved in the delivery of Continual Professional Development sessions (CPD) to existing and potential clients on subjects such as Wildlife & Development.
- From previous management roles, you would be able to demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in respect of quality assurance, delivery of contracts on time and within budget, and improving the quality of work produced by those you have managed.
- Candidates will have developed excellent relationships with clients and have experience of attending meetings with clients and design teams at a senior level
- They will have detailed knowledge of relevant aspects of UK and EU environmental legislation and confidence when advising clients on wildlife issues during the development process, as well in liaising with statutory bodies, planning authorities and NGOs.
- The project-based nature of the work means that there will be a requirement to undertake such travel as is necessary to successfully carry out contracts. This may include overnight stays and, possibly, longer periods of working away from home.
Person specification
The Senior Ecologist will:
- Have an appropriate degree(s)
- Be a Full Member of the IEEM
- Have a minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience covering Phase 1 and habitat surveys, EIA and HRA, as well as BREEAM and CfSH
- Four or more years report writing in a professional role, including production of non-standard research led reports.
- Be able to critically review own work and possess a minimum 2 years of reviewing others work, including Phase 1 survey reports, protected species survey reports and ES chapters
- Excellent communication skills to enable effective liaison with clients and colleagues
- Min 2 years of managing a team largely focussed on protected species surveys and assessments
- Have a particular expertise in bat ecology and be in possession of a survey licence
- Must be competent in the survey of one or more of the following key protected: great crested newts, badgers, reptiles, dormice, water voles, birds
- Have experience of writing EPSM licences for one or more of the following: bats, great crested newts, and dormice. Ideally, have been named ecologists on one or more EPSM licence.
- Have an interest and preferably some expertise in invertebrate ecology
- Experience of producing ecology chapters as part of EcIA for complex projects.
- Must respond promptly and professionally to clients and be able to advise and to consult with colleagues if necessary. Evidence of effective relationships with a number of important clients, offering advice and guidance
- Be able to manage own workload, be proactive in managing projects and be able to delegate to and provide support to Ecologists as appropriate
- Up to date knowledge of EU and UK legislation and policy
- Up to date knowledge of, and familiarity with, survey guidance for a range of protected species
- Be proficient in Customer Service and able to deliver and lead training events and workshops, both internally and externally to clients and other stakeholders
- Be personable, a team player and experienced with client interface
- Full clean driving licence
What the client can offer?
- Great Salary Package
- Annual increment subject to satisfactory performance
- 25 days leave
- Generous Training budget
- Staff support/mentoring
- Flexitime and TOIL
- Pension scheme