Consultant Ecologist

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Health & wellbeing programmes

Flex time opportunities

Mentoring and chartership pathways

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an Ecological Consultant to join a large, friendly, and diverse team. You’ll contribute to meaningful biodiversity outcomes through planning, field surveys and BNGe assessments, with opportunities for training and progression.

Hybrid working is available, with room for clear progression, mentoring, and collaboration across environmental specialists in the UK. You’ll gain hands-on experience on large-scale projects and advance technical ecological skills.

Qualifications

• Academic qualification or relevant experience in ecology or a related discipline.
• Membership of CIEEM or working towards it.
• Experience with digital data collection tools (Coreo, Fieldmaps, Survey123).
• Professional experience in ecological consultancy or a regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain principles and assessments.
• Clear, accurate report-writing skills for robust ecological assessments.
• Familiarity with ecology policy and planning guidance.
• Strong communication, proactive and solution-focused.

Responsibilities

• Planning and undertaking ecology surveys including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and protected species surveys.
• Prepare tenders and ecological deliverables such as survey reports and management plans.
• Conduct Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Collaborate with clients, project teams and GIS specialists.
• Apply mitigation hierarchy and design mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures.
• Maintain client liaison and project management.
• Engage with regulators and stakeholders through consultation and negotiation.
• Contribute to a supportive, productive team environment and development.

Skills

CIEEM membership

Report writing

Communication

Education

Academic qualification or related discipline

Tools

Coreo

Fieldmaps

Survey123

Job description

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 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Consultation and negotiation with regulators and stakeholders.
• 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).

Qualifications

• 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‑focused and proactive.

Benefits

• Hybrid working policy offering flexibility to work from home up to two days a week.
• Inclusive work culture celebrating diversity and belonging.
• Health & wellbeing programmes including virtual GP service, gym membership discounts, and menopause support.
• Flex time opportunities such as “WSP My Hour” and part‑time arrangements.
• Extensive development and training support, including mentoring and chartership pathways.

EEO Statement

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.