Senior Ecologist

WSP in Australia; Newcastle City Council; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP seeks a Senior Ecologist to join the Newcastle team, delivering ecological assessments, reporting, and field surveys to support environmental approvals and biodiversity outcomes.

You will work with the Ecology national team, apply BAM-based surveys, contribute to project planning, and help develop management plans within a hybrid work model combining field, office and remote work.

Qualifications

• Degree in Environmental or Natural Science such as ecology, botany, biology, or similar discipline.
• Experience in ecological assessments across NSW bioregions and in consulting/advisory roles.
• Field experience including flora/fauna surveys and ecological monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ecological surveys and vegetation assessments applying the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM).
• Contribute to project planning, meeting deadlines and budgets.
• Build relationships with colleagues and clients; participate in developing project scopes and proposals.
• Prepare ecological assessment reports and vegetation data reports.
• Pursue ongoing professional development including memberships and attendance at workshops.

Skills

Ecology knowledge

Biodiversity

Field surveys

Data analysis

Client communication

Education

Degree in Environmental/Natural Science (ecology, botany, biology)

Tools

GIS

Spatial data mapping

BAM

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

The opportunity

WSP is at the forefront of helping our clients protect and restore our natural resources and ecosystems, in compliance with legislation, regulations and policies.

Join our team of intelligent and collaborative Changemakers and make your mark on tomorrow! In this role, you’ll work with the Technical Executive of Ecology and the Ecology national team. This is a hybrid location role, with a combination of field, office and work from home approaches available.

Our Ecology team is at the forefront of providing innovative nature positive solutions in NSW for the largest infrastructure projects and you will have the opportunity to bring your knowledge to the fore as part of this approach. With a combination of academic and practical approaches, this could be the role for you!

We are looking for a Senior Ecologist to join our Newcastle team, part of a well-established national team of ecological experts.

Your role will primarily be to undertake fieldwork and prepare environmental reports to assist clients with environmental approvals, ecological impact assessments, targeted threatened species surveys, vegetation clearance assessments, ecological management plans, offset management plans and ecological monitoring.

Day To Day, You Will

• Conduct ecological surveys and vegetation assessments applying the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM)
• Contribute to the planning of projects, including meeting deadlines and budgets
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients; and actively participate in developing project scopes and proposals
• Assess data and prepare ecological assessment reports, native vegetation data reports, etc.
• Commit to your on-going professional development including membership of scientific organisations, involvement with environment groups, attendance at workshops, conferences, etc.

About You

• A degree in Environmental or Natural Science such as ecology, botany, biology, or similar discipline.
• You're likely to have previous consulting/advisory experience in undertaking ecological assessments in the various bioregions across NSW.
• Field experience such as flora and / or fauna surveys, ecological monitoring, plant species and threatened ecological community identification, etc.
• General fauna survey experience
• BAM Accreditation would be highly regarded
• Knowledge of vegetation and biodiversity legislation and policy, specifically the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and other applicable biodiversity legislation
• Experience with field survey design, field data collection, mapping and use of survey guidelines for flora
• Experience in GIS, field mapping and developing and managing spatial datasets
• Have a passion for ecology, conservation, biodiversity and natural resources management
• Interest and willingness to participate in national projects is desirable

Why WSP?

Imagine a better future for you, and for us all.

Joining WSP means becoming part of a global team of over 73,000, united by a shared passion for making a positive impact.

• Join WSP’s Earth and Environment business, a nationally renowned business unit with a proven history of delivery high quality innovative work across sectors.
• Deliver work that genuinely shapes communities, grounded in WSP’s mission to provide sustainable solutions with deep environmental and social responsibility.
• Grow in a culture built on collaboration, inclusion, and belonging, where diverse perspectives power innovation and employees feel valued and supported.
• Enjoy work/life flexibility and strong career pathways, plus global mobility, health and wellbeing programs, and social initiatives.

Discover more on our https://www.wsp.com/en-au/careers/why-join-us/employee-benefits page.

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