Biodiversity Net Gain Ecologist

Anglian Water Services; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Anglian Water is seeking a Biodiversity Net Gain Ecologist to lead the development and implementation of biodiversity initiatives. This full-time role combines office work and field responsibilities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and enhance biodiversity across the region. With a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, this position is a great opportunity for a passionate individual to make a significant impact on ecological goals.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Personal private health care

Annual bonus scheme

26 days leave plus Bank Holidays

Life Cover at 8x salary

Free parking at all offices

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Experience with UKHab condition assessments and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Hands-on experience in ecological surveying, particularly in identifying plant species and habitats.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Anglian Water’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) strategy.
• Identify and assess suitable AW and third party sites for BNG.
• Manage legal and commercial aspects of BNG delivery.

Skills

Ecological surveying

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

GIS proficiency

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Circa £45,000 per annum

Full time/37 hrs a week/permanent

Location: Can be based across the Anglian Water Region but travel across the whole region to various sites including Grimsby, Huntingdon, Norwich and Essex will be required

Anglian Water offers a flexible approach; this role provides you with the opportunity to combine working from home and from an Anglian Water office. Your based location will be one of our sites and travel across the whole of the A nglian W ater Region will be required .

Join our team and make a difference

Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing biodiversity? Do you want to be part of a purpose-driven organisation that’s committed to environmental and social prosperity? At Anglian Water, we’re not just about water – we’re about making a difference. Join us as a Biodiversity Net Gain Ecologist and play a vital role in delivering our ambitious environmental goals, including statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and our Biodiversity Performance Commitment. This is your chance to help shape how we deliver nature reco very across our region.

As a Biodiversity Net Gain Ecologist, you’ll be pivot al in delivering Anglian Water’s biodiversity strategy. You’ll lead the development and implementation of BNG initiatives, ensuring compliance with legislation and alignment with our company’s Purpose – to bring environmental and social prosperity to the region through our commitment to Love Every Drop.

You’ll work closely with internal teams and external partners to identify , assess, and manage sites for BNG and our Biodiversity Performance Commitment. Your expertise in UKHab assessments, the Statutory Biodiversity Metric, and habitat management will be key to delivering measurable environmental outcomes.

As a valued employee you’ll be entitled to:

-Competitive pension scheme – Anglian Water double-matches your contributions up to 6%

-Personal private health care

-Annual bonus scheme

-Opportunity to volunteer do unpaid work in the community

-26 days leave, rising with service + Bank Holidays, with the option to swap Christmas and Easter holidays for those celebrated by your religion

-Life Cover at 8x your salary

-Personal Accident cover – up to 5x your salary

-Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle

-Paid time off when you’re physically and mentally unwell

-Lots of great benefits including 20% off new EE mobile contracts, discounted cinema tickets and a Cycle2Work scheme

-Free parking at all offices, site and leisure parks

-Excellent family friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity / adoption leave , as well as 4 weeks paternity / partner pay. Opportunity for shared parental pay.

What yo u ’ll be doing:

- Develop and implement Anglian Water’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) strategy, collaborating with internal teams and our BNG Delivery Group.

- Create and maintain robust processes, guidance, and templates for delivering both on-site and off-site BNG.

- Identify and assess suitable AW and third party sites for BNG, ensuring they are cost-effective, operationally viable , and aligned with company goals.

- Support the integration of BNG into wider nature-based solutions, working with the Nature-based Solutions Strategy Group.

- Manage legal and commercial aspects of BNG delivery, including contracts and maintaining a log of transactions.

- Maintain and enhance our BNG GIS tool, ensuring accurate and effective use across the business.

- Lead the delivery of the Biodiversity Performance Commitment (PC) by tracking site data, performance, and compliance with Ofwat requirements.

- Conduct or commission habitat condition assessments for BNG and Biodiversity PC sites, maintaining accurate records and reporting.

- Provide expert advice on habitat management to internal teams, including operational staff managing nature-based assets.

- Promote a strong health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with company policies and contributing to continuous improvement.

What does it take to be successful?

- A degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

- Experience with UKHab condition assessments and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.

- Hands-on experience in ecological surveying, particularly in identifying plant species and habitats.

- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

- Proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS).

- Ability to plan and prioritise workload effectively.

Inclusion at Anglian Water:

Join us and make a difference. Our customers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we think our workplace should reflect that. We are committed to making sure all our colleagues feel they belong and are supported to succeed. Together with our fellow water companies, we are committed to the Social Mobility Pledge; we are also a signatory to Business in the Community’s Race at Work charter; we hold the Armed Forces Gold Covenant for Employers; we are an accredited Disability Confident employer and we play a leading part in the Women’s Utility Network.

Closing date: 19/06/2025

#loveeverydrop