Ecologist

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Reading; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance and Private Medical

Flexible benefits programme

Disability Confident employer

Competitive pension

Job summary

Mott MacDonald Bentley is seeking an Ecologist to contribute across major water and environmental projects. You will work within the joint venture, applying ecological expertise from design through to construction, and collaborate with Mott MacDonald and JN Bentley colleagues to deliver sustainable outcomes.

The role requires a degree in Ecology, knowledge of surveys and biodiversity net gain, report writing experience, and a valid driving licence with willingness to travel to sites across the

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or related subject.
• Knowledge of guidance for ecological surveys.
• Report writing experience required.
• Knowledge of biodiversity net gain and ecological assessment.
• Valid driving licence and willingness to travel to sites across your region.
• Protected species licence or working towards one.

Responsibilities

• Engage in projects covering all life-cycle phases, from design to implementation, influencing scheme design and best practices.
• Contribute to biodiversity net gain strategies and client advisory efforts.
• Work across a diverse range of projects, collaborating with ecologists and other specialists.
• Join onsite or office teams and share knowledge with colleagues to strengthen consultancy abilities.
• Promote integrated solutions and innovative technologies while maintaining quality.

Skills

Report writing

Biodiversity net gain

Driving licence

Willingness to travel

Education

Degree in Ecology

Job description

Ecologist

Company: Mott MacDonald Salary: Not specified Hours: Full-time Location: Reading, RG1 8DB Job type: Permanent Closing date: 19 Aug 2026

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 MacDonaldMott 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 & InclusionA 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 [e-mail] discuss any such adjustments that we can make. You can read more about our Equal Opportunities Policy here:Equality, diversity and inclusion

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

Internal applications 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.

MMB has successfully extended its contract with Thames Water for an additional five years. As the largest water and wastewater provider in the UK, Thames Water serves 15 million customers throughout London and the Thames Valley. This extension will carry the current agreement through to the end of AMP8 in March 2030. MMB is delivering work on three frameworks in the region, which sees us undertake a varied programme of water and wastewater non-infrastructure and infrastructure projects to improve the network.

You will work on projects that make a real difference to our environment and our communities. Working primarily in the UK water market, MMB provides the feasibility, design, construction, and commissioning services needed to keep water flowing and wastewater treated. You’ll work on projects that make a real difference to our environment and our communities by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of water and wastewater treatment systems.

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.**

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme