Ecologist

Mott MacDonald Bentley | MMB; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Mott MacDonald Bentley is hiring an Ecologist to work on major water and wastewater projects across all project phases from feasibility to construction. You will help deliver biodiversity net gain strategies and integrate innovative solutions within a multidisciplinary team in the North West region, travelling to sites as required in Manchester and surrounding areas.

The role emphasises quality, collaboration with engineering colleagues, and professional development through structured training

Qualifications

• A degree in Ecology (or related subject).
• Knowledge, understanding and experience of applying relevant guidance for surveys.
• Report writing experience.
• Knowledge of assessing and implementing biodiversity net gain.
• A valid driving licence and willingness to travel to sites across your operational region
• Protected species licence or working towards one

Responsibilities

• Engage in projects covering all life-cycle phases, influencing scheme design and best practices.
• Promote biodiversity net gain and integrate client guidance into strategies.
• Work on diverse projects to grow skills and contribute to business growth.
• Collaborate with ecologists and engineers on-site or in offices to deepen understanding of the consultancy.
• Promote integrated solutions and innovative technology while maintaining quality.

Skills

Report writing

Driving licence

Biodiversity net gain knowledge

Guidance for surveys knowledge

Education

Degree in Ecology or related field

Job description

• Report writing experience.

• Internal applicants are welcome.

Mott MacDonald Bentley is a fully integrated design and build business combining the design expertise of Mott MacDonald with the contracting experience of JN Bentley to deliver award winning projects. Working for Mott MacDonald Bentley, you will work on major water and wastewater schemes throughout all phases of the project from feasibility through to construction. With an annual turnover surpassing £500 million, Mott Macdonald Bentley cements its position as a leader within the industry. The sustained, robust business performance creates an ideal environment for career growth.

We have been named a partner on a new AMP8 framework with United Utilities, which will extend our relationship for at least the next five years. The partnership is set to be responsible for over £3bn of major infrastructure in the North West of England. Investment includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflows through the delivery of the largest spill reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters.

As an Ecologist you'll work on projects that make a real difference to our environment and our communities - enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of water and wastewater treatment systems.

The role of an Ecologist includes:

• Engaging in projects that cover all phases of the life cycle, from initial design to implementation. Your involvement allows for significant influence on scheme design, enhancements, and the promotion of best practices.
• Embracing the exciting advancements in delivering Net Benefits to Biodiversity, with opportunities to integrate these into client advice and collaborate with clients to develop their strategies accordingly.
• Working on a diverse range of projects and tasks to challenge you and help you reach your full potential. This approach maximises your opportunities and training, fostering both your skills and our business growth.
• Collaborating as part of our team, whether on-site or in the office, alongside ecologists of varying experience levels and our environmental and engineering colleagues. This teamwork will deepen your understanding of our consultancy and construction business.
• Using and promoting integrated solutions and innovative technology, while ensuring quality is maintained and helping us to build a lasting and sustainable environmental business.

What you’ll need:

• A degree in Ecology (or directly related subject).
• Knowledge, understanding and experience of applying relevant guidance for surveys.
• Report writing experience.
• Knowledge of assessing and implementing biodiversity net gain.
• A valid driving licence and willingness to travel to sites across your operational region
• Protected species licence or working towards one

What’s in it for you:

Financial wellbeing

• MMB match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues including our annual bonus schemes.
• Payment of annual professional institution subscription costs.

Health and wellbeing

• A minimum of 33 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays, with the ability to buy, sell or carry over annual leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Access to Life Assurance / Private Medical Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance and Health Screening options.
• We are happy to talk openly about flexible working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.
• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave plus the option for shared parental leave.
• Up to 2 paid additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities.

Learning and development

• MMB are committed to empowering our people to grow professionally and thrive in their careers. We offer structured development schemes that support your journey toward professional chartership. From day one, employees are fast-tracked towards chartership reviews and benefit from mentorship, hands‑on experience, and tailored training opportunities.

Mott MacDonald Bentley 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.

Other Information

This is a Mott MacDonald Bentley role, employed by Mott MacDonald.

Mott MacDonald Bentley is a joint venture business, established in 1999 between civil engineering contractor JN Bentley and global management consultancy, Mott MacDonald.

Mott MacDonald Bentley offers fully integrated design and build services to its clients, combining the contracting expertise of JN Bentley and the design specialisms of Mott MacDonald.

This role is employed by Mott MacDonald but will involve working across the joint venture business, both with Mott MacDonald and JN Bentley colleagues.

About Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy.

Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.

Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence.

We believe that because we care about what we do, we do things better.

We know that our people are our most valuable asset, so we are dedicated to investing in them, through our comprehensive training and development schemes, exposure to the wider design and build business and endless opportunities.

We are committed to creating a workplace where our people are safe, have a voice, can reach their full potential, and everyone shares in the rewards.

You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that benefit our communities – from helping to secure water supplies for future generations to protecting homes and businesses from flood risk – our projects make a real difference.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Mott MacDonald Bentley we welcome applications from all sectors of the community. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace where everyone feels included, has the opportunity to thrive, and is treated with respect.

Even if you don’t meet every requirement for this role but are excited about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Find out more about our approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion here: https://www.mottmacbentley.co.uk/people.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment practices are barrier‑free and as inclusive as possible. This includes making adjustments during the job application process and throughout your future career with us. Please call 01756 691572 or email [e-mail] to discuss any such adjustments that we can make. You can read more about our Equal Opportunities Policy here: Equality, diversity and inclusion - Mott MacDonald.

Agile working

We are committed to providing a flexible and agile working environment that supports both our employees and the needs of the business.

Location(s):

Manchester, GB

Contract Type:

Permanent

Work Pattern:

Full Time

Market:

Water

Discipline:

Water