Associate Ecologist

WSP USA; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training & mentoring

Chartership support

Thrive programme

Gymflex scheme

Job summary

WSP is seeking an experienced Associate Ecologist to lead projects, mentor colleagues, and shape ecology strategy across UK habitats. You will deliver ecological workstreams, manage client relationships, supervise surveys and ES chapters, and help win new work while developing junior ecologists within a collaborative, safety-focused team.

You’ll lead project delivery, work with senior leaders, and drive high standards in technical excellence, client service, and team development within a hybrid

Qualifications

• Experience across UK habitats and protected species; survey and mitigation licences.
• Proven track record in supporting clients from survey design to regulatory support.
• Experience delivering Ecological Impact Assessments and robust ES chapters.
• Knowledge of Habitats Regulations Assessment and compliance.
• Demonstrated success in winning work with commercial clients in residential, mixed-use, or industrial sectors.
• Passion for mentoring and developing ecologists at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery and team leadership within ecology projects.
• Collaborate with Regional Director and Team Leader to manage workload and ensure technical excellence.
• Generate new opportunities, prepare tenders, and oversee ecological workstreams (technical, commercial, financial).
• Provide site and office support, mentoring junior colleagues developing their skills.
• Foster a supportive, high-performing team environment and uphold health, safety, and wellbeing.

Skills

UK habitats

Client relationship building

Ecological Impact Assessments

Habitats Regulations Assessment

New business development

Mentorship and leadership

Job description

If you’re an experienced consultant ecologist ready to step into an Associate role where you can lead, influence, mentor and make a real impact, this could be the perfect next step.

A Little More About the Team…

Our Ecology team is friendly, collaborative, and built on shared expertise. You’ll work alongside specialists in habitats, protected species, biodiversity, water, planning, and more meaning you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of projects and disciplines.

What you can expect:

• A supportive culture with training, mentoring, and clear progression
• Access to industry-leading specialists across the UK
• Opportunities to help shape best practice in UK ecology
• A workplace where wellbeing and safety always come first

If you want to grow your ecological, project management, and consultancy skills while influencing the wider ecology profession, you’ll feel right at home here.

Your New Role – What’s Involved?

As an Associate Ecologist, you will play a key role in both project delivery and team leadership, including:

• Championing our Health, Safety & Wellbeing culture and helping create a safe, positive working environment.
• Working closely with your team, the Regional Director, and Team Leader to manage workload and uphold high technical standards.
• Generating new opportunities and preparing tenders, while overseeing the delivery of ecological workstreams technical, commercial, and financial.
• Providing both site and office support, helping to guide and mentor junior colleagues as they develop their skills.
• Contributing to a supportive, enthusiastic, and high-performing team environment.

What We’re Looking For

You will thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience working across a range of UK habitats and protected species, with survey and/or mitigation licences (current or held previously).
• A proven track record of supporting clients from devising survey programmes and designing pragmatic, cost-effective mitigation, to gaining regulatory support and supervising implementation on-site.
• Experience delivering Ecological Impact Assessments and writing robust ES chapters.
• Knowledge and experience of Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Demonstrable success in winning work, particularly with commercial clients in residential, mixed-use, and industrial sectors.
• A passion for supporting and developing ecologists of all grades through mentorship and leadership.

Why Choose WSP?

When you join us, you’ll gain:

• A clear pathway to progress your ecological consultancy career
• The freedom to shape your own development
• Exposure to major UK and international projects
• A workplace that truly values diversity, collaboration, and wellbeing

You’ll be part of a team that believes in building a better, more resilient environment one project at a time.

#LI-MB1

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.