Ecologist

Mott MacDonald; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Annual bonus schemes

Employee ownership

Flexible benefits

Pension matching

Generous holiday

Job summary

Mott MacDonald in Cardiff is seeking a Senior Ecologist to lead major infrastructure and development projects, with significant site-based work, protected species surveys, and ECoW duties. The role combines fieldwork with office-based reporting, data interpretation, and delivering high-quality ecological outputs.

You will support senior colleagues across the UK, contribute to biodiversity strategies, and help shape best practice while benefiting from a hybrid working policy and opportunities for

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or related field required.
• At least three years' experience in ecological consultancy or equivalent.
• Knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy, and ecological assessment processes.
• Strong report-writing skills with attention to detail and high-quality outputs.

Responsibilities

• Lead protected species surveys and habitat surveys.
• Prepare Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties and other fieldwork.
• Write reports, interpret data, and support health, safety, and wellbeing briefings.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and influence scheme design to deliver biodiversity benefits.

Skills

Degree in Ecology

3+ years ecological consultancy

UK wildlife legislation knowledge

Report writing

Education

BSc in Ecology

MSc or PhD advantageous

Tools

CSCS card

ECoW experience

Job description

Location/s: Cardiff, UK

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the division

Environmental and social considerations are central to Mott MacDonald's Purpose and its offerings across all sectors and territories. Our environment and social business provides essential services and innovative solutions which anticipate our clients' needs across all sectors.

Overview of the role

Mott MacDonald is a leader in Nature Services, and we are looking for talented ecologists to join our growing team and help integrate nature into development. Working alongside our clients, you will play a key role in delivering better outcomes for people, nature and communities.

We pride ourselves on setting and maintaining high standards and are at the forefront of ecological consultancy. Our team has authored industry guidance, delivered Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) training, and contributed to CIEEM Raising Standards documents, helping to shape best practice across the profession.

Innovation is central to how we work. We have developed our own digital tools and workflows to improve the efficiency and quality of ecological data collection and management, enabling our ecologists to focus on delivering meaningful environmental outcomes.

Our recent work includes providing biodiversity advice to enhance NHS hospital estates, delivering nature-based solutions for flood management and water treatment, and leading the development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies. We work across a diverse portfolio of sectors and clients, giving our ecologists the opportunity to contribute to projects that make a genuine difference.

Our Cardiff office supports a wide range of clients, including Welsh Water, Transport for Wales, Associated British Ports (ABP), Local Planning Authorities, North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA), Great British Energy-Nuclear, the Environment Agency and Forestry England. Projects are located throughout Wales and the South West of England.

The Cardiff ecology team currently comprises 12 ecologists ranging from graduate ecologists through to technical director level. As part of Mott MacDonald's wider ecology community, you will also collaborate closely with colleagues across the UK, including a team of over 20 ecologists based in Bristol and Exeter.

As a Senior Ecologist, you will play a key role in delivering major infrastructure and development projects. The role is likely to involve a significant amount of site-based work, leading protected species surveys, habitat surveys, Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) activities and other technical fieldwork.

You will also undertake office-based responsibilities, including report writing, data interpretation and analysis, and the preparation of health, safety and wellbeing briefings and documentation.

You will support senior colleagues in the successful delivery of complex projects, providing technical expertise and helping to maintain the high standards for which our team is known. The projects you work on will span all stages of the project lifecycle, from concept and design through to construction and implementation. This provides an excellent opportunity to influence scheme design, deliver measurable biodiversity benefits and promote industry best practice.

We offer excellent opportunities for career development and progression within a growing business. Whether your ambition is to develop technical expertise, lead major projects or progress into management, you will be supported to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

This role would suit a proactive and motivated team player who enjoys working in a collaborative environment and is keen to contribute to the continued growth and success of our ecology team.

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Degree in Ecology or a closely related subject. A higher degree (MSc or PhD) would be advantageous
• At least three years' experience in ecological consultancy, or equivalent experience with demonstrable transferable skills
• Knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and ecological assessment processes, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs).Experience of leading protected species surveys across a range of development projects, including survey design, scope development, field delivery and coordination of survey results
• Strong report-writing skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to produce accurate, concise and high-quality technical reports, including ecological appraisals, survey reports and method statements

Desirable:

• A member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent
• Experience of project management, including programme and budget management
• Experience of preparing fee proposals and contributing to tender submissions
• Qualified tree climber with relevant certification and practical survey experience
• Holder of a personal conservation licence for one or more protected species (ideally bats or dormice) and/or FISC Level 4 accreditation, or the ability to achieve this following assessment
• Experience undertaking Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties and possession of a valid CSCS card
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK and work away from home where project requirements dictate

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at [e-mail] and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.