Consultant / Project Ecologist - Belfast

Are you a Project Ecologist looking to work for a dynamic and industry leading team, with flexibility to balance field work, hybrid working and access to Tetra Tech offices covering the UK? Or are you an experienced Consultant Ecologist, ambitious to make a step up, with the support of a diverse network of experts at an award winning consultancy, conducting field studies in a wide range of the UK’s most interesting projects.

Role Outline

As a project / consultant ecologist, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality ecological services. You will lead surveys and contribute to a diverse range of projects across sectors including energy, defence and infrastructure. Your expertise will support clients in achieving their environmental goals while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

The person in this role will be a competent ecologist and we will encourage professional development in areas that align with their own interests and Tetra Tech’s business strategy. We encourage our ecologists to lead on projects that align with their technical skillset and expertise and will provide inhouse project management training and an array of technical training. With an eye for detail and a desire to deliver to high standards, a key element of this role will be to provide support and feedback to colleagues on project deliverables, drawing on the knowledge of our technical experts to develop the best solutions.

The role will require work with colleagues from across the wider business on multi-disciplinary opportunities and projects so a willingness to understand how other parts of the business work would be advantageous. Our success is, in part, due to our established and long-lasting relationships with clients and the role will involve working closely with clients across a range of sectors including Residential, Defence, Infrastructure, Energy and Government Services.

We are looking for an ecologist who has strong field skills and ambitions to develop their technical skills in line with project requirements. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with a particular specialism and/or extensive experience in survey and consulting on bats, badger, otter, amphibians, habitats, ecological appraisal and impact assessment.

With support from our regional and national nature team, and in line with our career framework, you will be encouraged to develop your expertise in your specialist discipline whilst honing your skills as an environmental consultant, finding solutions for our clients and advocating for ecosystem improvements within your projects. We offer training, bonuses for achieving bat licences and chartership status, and have dedicated team members focused on delivering training and upskilling.

Key responsibilities

1. Survey Work & Design: Plan, conduct and lead ecological field surveys including protected species surveys, habitat assessments and ecological appraisals. Oversee data collection, ensuring high-quality, accurate results. Provide technical expertise and guidance to the National team where appropriate.
2. Fee proposal, Report Writing and Quality Assurance: Produce high-quality, detailed reports, protected species licence applications and mitigation strategies and management plans for a range of protected species and habitats. Experience preparing Ecology chapters for Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessment would be an advantage. Prepare clear and competitive fee proposals for a variety of ecological services.
3. Client Engagement: Work closely with clients, including developers, planners and internal colleagues to provide ecological advice and solutions. Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with clients ensuring clear communication and excellent service.
4. Project Management: Actively project manage from inception to completion ensuring timelines, budgets and quality standards are met.
5. Team Development: Provide training and mentoring to junior ecologists, helping them develop their skills and technical knowledge. Mentor junior staff on their journey to obtaining protected species licences. Foster a culture of continuous learning in the team.

Requirements:

1. An appropriate academic qualification in a related discipline.
2. Membership of a professional institute, ideally Associate Member (or pending) of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
3. Demonstrable and relevant experience within ecology/environmental consulting.
4. Hold a full driving licence.

About the team

1. Over 90 permanent ecologists across 14 offices working as one cohesive team.
2. Time away from home minimised.
3. IT systems allow seamless remote and flexible working, so proximity to an office is not a barrier. Our ecologists can work on the projects that interest them and deliver them to the highest standards.
4. Cars or car allowances to every member of the team regardless of grade, including for personal use.
5. Established TOIL system to allow time management to suit specific personal needs alongside seasonal demands.
6. Career frameworks provide clarity on how to progress.
7. We encourage the development of well-rounded ecologists who can talk about all stages of a project.
8. We offer internal and external training and mentoring, including from our inhouse experts.
9. And to show our support of personal development, we award a significant financial bonus to anyone achieving Chartered Environmentalist/Ecologist status through CIEEM.
10. We work closely with many other teams, including our own Planners, Archaeologists, Landscape Architects, Masterplanners and Engineers.
11. With a culture of openness, there is always someone within the business who can provide advice and support for almost any query.

Tetra Tech is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity/shared parental leave, in line with the Equalities Act 2010.

Additional Information

• Organization: 784 WYG