Consultant Ecologist

WSP USA; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Training budget

Flexible hours

Job summary

WSP seeks an Ecological Consultant in the UK to contribute to a wide range of projects and to help deliver biodiversity outcomes at landscape scale. You will join a large, multidisciplinary team and work on diverse surveying, reporting and mitigation planning tasks as part of a supportive environment.

The role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement across the UK, with opportunities for training and career development, including potential progression to chartership and leadership within

Qualifications

• Academic qualification in ecology or a related discipline.
• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards it).
• Experience with ecological consultancy or regulatory environments.
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) principles and assessments.
• Clear, accurate report-writing skills.
• Familiarity with ecology policy and planning guidance.
• Strong communication and proactive mindset.

Responsibilities

• Plan and undertake ecology surveys including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and protected species surveys.
• Prepare tenders and ecological deliverables (PEAs, protected species reports, method statements, management plans).
• Conduct Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
• Collaborate with clients, project teams and GIS specialists.
• Contribute to mitigation design and enhancement measures.
• Liaise with clients and manage projects.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive team environment.
• Utilise training budget for in-house and external courses.

Skills

Communication skills

Ecological consultancy experience

Understanding of BNG principles

Report writing

Digital data collection tools

Education

Academic qualification in related discipline

CIEEM membership (or working towards it)

Tools

Coreo

Fieldmaps

Survey123

Job description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

As an Ecological Consultant with WSP, you’ll become part of a large, friendly, and diverse team where collaboration, learning and wellbeing sit at the centre of our culture.

Flexible working is one of our core benefits, helping you maintain a healthy balance between your work, personal life, family, and wellbeing. You’ll be supported by a strong knowledge sharing team, with access to peer support networks, specialist groups, and open collaboration across all experience levels.

You’ll have the chance to work alongside environmental specialists across the UK, broadening your experience through multidisciplinary learning and exposure to global expertise. With structured training, mentoring, and clear progression routes, you’ll have every opportunity to develop your technical ecological skills, grow your project management capabilities, and work towards protected species licences.

You’ll gain hands‑on experience across a range of large‑scale and complex projects, help to shape meaningful biodiversity outcomes and contribute to nature‑positive solutions. With room for innovation in survey design, modelling, mitigation planning, and application of cutting edge ecological methods, you’ll be supported to explore and develop your strengths while making a real impact at landscape scale.

Above all, you’ll be part of a team with a strong sense of purpose and take pride in contributing to projects that deliver genuine environmental benefit.

You will be involved in the following activities:

• Planning and undertaking ecology surveys including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, and protected species surveys.

• Preparation of tenders and a range of ecological deliverables including; Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, protected species survey reports, method statements and management plans.

• Conducting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.

• Working closely with clients, project teams and GIS specialists

• Applying the mitigation hierarchy and contributing to designing mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures.

• Client liaison and project management.

• Helping to nurture an enthusiastic, supportive, and productive working environment.

• Taking advantage of a generous training and career development budget to complete training (in‑house and external).

What we are looking for you to demonstrate…

• An appropriate academic qualification and/or experience in a related discipline.

• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards it).

• Understanding of digital data collection tools (e.g., Coreo, Fieldmaps, Survey123).

• Professional experience within ecological consultancy or a regulatory environment.

• Knowledge of BNG principles and guidance, and experience of BNG assessments.

• Clear, accurate report‑writing skills and ability to produce robust ecological assessments.

• Familiarity with relevant ecology policy and planning guidance.

• Strong communication skills, solution‑focussed and proactive.

We are passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive team, so even if you’re not sure you match everything in our job description, we are still keen for you to make an application.

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

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the

best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

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.