Associate Ecologist

RPS Group Plc; Hartford; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious consultancy in the United Kingdom is seeking an Associate Ecologist to manage complex ecological projects within renewable energy and commercial sectors. The ideal candidate should have experience in managing ecological assessments, client relations, and provide training. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Ecology is required, alongside knowledge of UK environmental legislation. This role offers a competitive salary between £48,000 and £60,000, along with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing ecological inputs to complex projects.
• Knowledge of UK planning system and environmental legislation.
• Technical expertise in ecology or specialist areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage ecological projects.
• Author and review ecology reports.
• Train and support junior team members.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and authorities.
• Complete Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.

Skills

Managing ecological inputs

Client-facing interactions

Designing ecological surveys

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's/Master's degree in Ecology

CIEEM Membership

Tools

Habitat Classification

Ecological Impact Assessments

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex ecological projects as part of a diverse portfolio of renewable energy, residential, and commercial projects, including Town and Country Planning Act developments and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
• Author, and peer review, a range of ecology reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) and Environmental Statement (ES) Ecology Chapters
• Contribute to the development of the team through providing in-house training, support and line management to junior team members
• Work collaboratively as part of a team of ecologists
• Lead negotiations with Natural England, County Ecologists, Local Authority planning officers, and stakeholders
• Complete Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, interpreting and evaluating the Biodiversity Metric to deliver pragmatic on- and off-site solutions to our clients
• Project management including preparation of fee proposals/ tenders, invoicing and management of project finances
• Design and implement ecological mitigation strategies including mitigation licences for bats, great crested newts, dormice, badgers, and water vole

Qualifications

• You will have sound knowledge of the UK planning system and environmental legislation relevant to the role
• You will have extensive experience managing ecological inputs to complex development projects, including EIA, green infrastructure and biodiversity net gain assessments
• You will excel in a client-facing role, winning and delivering new work and managing client relationships
• You will have technical expertise in your chosen specialist areas, or general terrestrial ecology
• You will be competent in UK Habitat Classification and habitat condition assessments (FISC level 4 highly desirable but not essential)
• You’ll be able to design and complete a range of typical ecology surveys, and interpret the findings to inform robust ecological assessments and deliver pragmatic solutions to clients
• You’ll have experience designing/ delivering ecological mitigation including protected species licensing and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW)
• We are looking for a team player – someone to support our small team as we grow, but also the ability to work independently.
• Good time keeping and communication skills are important to us.
• You will hold a full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes, and be willing to travel to sites throughout the region (some level of overnight accommodation may be required).

Qualifications and Certifications

• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Ecology or closely related field.
• CIEEM Membership
• Hold at least one protected species survey licence (great crested newt and bats highly desirable)
• FISC Level 4 highly desirable but not essential

What’s in it for you?

Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

About RPS

RPS, a Tetra Tech company is looking for an Associate Ecologist to join our East of England ecology team, based in Norwich or Cambridge.

About the Team

Our East of England ecology team delivers a range of ecological services to support renewable energy, residential, commercial and infrastructure projects across the region. We are involved with some of the largest off-shore wind developments in the country, as well as onshore solar, battery storage and energy transmission, helping to deliver clean energy to the UK market. We also have a strong presence in the residential and commercial market, providing variety to the work we do.

Your Impact

Join RPS, a Tetra Tech company to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to grow your career while leaving a lasting legacy. We’re proud to be an accredited training provider, internationally recognised and providing robust fully accredited professional training programmes – to master's degree level professional qualifications in leadership & management and executive coaching & mentoring, we provide learning and development for everyone.

We support our people to innovate, collaborate and build meaningful careers. Our network of people and knowledge will expand your horizons and give you access to a variety of interesting projects.

Embracing diverse ideas, perspectives, and thinking styles is at the heart of what we do. We need a mix of experiences and techniques to develop the ideas. We respect one another and recognise the potential and contribution of everyone. You’ll be joining a diverse community of experts and a company that puts its people first and prioritises their wellbeing.

Why choose RPS, a Tetra Tech company

In 2023 RPS joined Tetra Tech, enabling us to combine our expertise with the reach and resources of a prestigious global organisation.

We design, and manage projects in urbanisation, natural resources, and sustainability. As part of Tetra Tech’s strong team across 550 offices in over 120 countries, we deliver solutions that create lasting value in an increasingly urbanised and resource‑scarce world. By leveraging our global expertise, we enable our clients to develop winning solutions for their clients and communities.

As a Tetra Tech company, RPS is proud to provide market‑leading development and project opportunities for our people, supporting their growth while addressing the challenges that matter. Our people drive our success, and this is where you come to build a career.

Salary

We offer a competitive salary in the range of £48,000 - £60,000 (depending on experience)