Ecologist

Building Design Partnership Limited; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee profit share

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Building Design Partnership Limited (BDP) is seeking an ecological consultant to lead diverse projects, embedding biodiversity across landscape, urban design and planning teams. You will provide technical advice, deliver ecological assessments, and help grow the ecology service within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

You will work across design studios globally, liaising with clients and authorities while shaping Nature-based Solutions and green infrastructure strategies.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or related discipline required.
• Chartered membership with CIEEM preferred or working towards Chartered status.
• Strong knowledge of UK ecological legislation and Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
• Experience using the Biodiversity Metric for assessments.
• Experience undertaking UKHab surveys and ecological assessments.
• Experience preparing EcIA, PEA and BNG reports.
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to manage projects and work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Protected species survey licence and Bat licence Level 1.
• Experience preparing Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.
• GIS skills (QGIS or ArcGIS).
• Experience advising on Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure strategies.
• Project management and client-facing experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver ecological advice across a range of projects.
• Prepare and oversee Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Plan and undertake ecological assessments including preliminary ecological appraisals and protected species surveys.
• Produce HMMPs, LEMPs, EcIA and supporting ecological reports.
• Collaborate with landscape architects, urban designers and planners to embed biodiversity.
• Develop Nature-based Solutions for water management and green infrastructure.
• Advise clients on environmental legislation and policy requirements.
• Liaise with planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Contribute to bids, marketing materials and tenders.
• Support business development and client relationships in the ecology service.

Skills

GIS skills

Ecology reporting

Project management

UKHab surveys

Education

Degree in Ecology

CIEEM membership (or working towards)

Tools

QGIS

ArcGIS

Job description

You will play a key role in developing our ecology offer, providing technical expertise, strategic advice and innovative thinking across a diverse portfolio of projects. Working across landscape architecture, urban design, public realm, strategic planning and development, you will help ensure ecological thinking is embedded throughout the design process, delivering positive outcomes for biodiversity, people and place.

This role combines technical ecological consultancy with the opportunity to influence design, contribute to business growth and help build an ecology team within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver ecological advice across a range of projects.
• Prepare and oversee Biodiversity Net Gain assessments using the statutory biodiversity metric.
• Plan and undertake a variety of ecological assessments, in particular preliminary ecological appraisals, UK Hab assessments and protected species surveys.
• Produce Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs), Landscape and Ecological Management Plans (LEMPs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and supporting ecological reports.
• Work collaboratively with landscape architects, urban designers and planners to integrate biodiversity into project design from concept through to delivery.
• Develop Nature-based Solutions for water management, climate resilience, habitat creation and green infrastructure.
• Advise clients on environmental legislation, planning policy, Biodiversity Net Gain requirements and ecological best practice.
• Liaise with local planning authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation of fee proposals, marketing materials and ecological requirements within tenders
• Contribute to business development, client relationships and the growth of the ecology service.

About us

BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we've been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the start, we've been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we've brought to life.

We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan’s Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.

Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We believe that great design removes barriers and opens new possibilities, all while meeting the demands of a constantly evolving world. Whether we’re designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.

We’re proud of the places we've shaped and the lives we've touched, and we are committed to continuing our mission of designing a better, more connected world—one that leaves every place better than we found it.

About you

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (or working towards Chartered status).
• Strong understanding of UK ecological legislation, planning policy and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience of using the statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Experience undertaking UKHab surveys and ecological assessments.
• Experience preparing EcIA, PEA and BNG reports.
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to manage projects and work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Protected species survey licence and Level 1 Class bat licence.
• Experience preparing Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.
• GIS skills (QGIS or ArcGIS).
• Experience advising on Nature-based Solutions and Green Infrastructure strategies.
• Project management and client-facing experience.

BDP offers

In return, BDP can offer you a wide range of learning opportunities to encourage personal and professional career development. From sponsorship to profession led CPD events, we also offer annual appraisals and a mentoring scheme that is supported by our internal online learning platform.

We are committed to being an employer of choice and offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package that includes an employee profit share scheme, tax efficient smart benefits, private medical insurance, life insurance, long term sickness insurance, interest free season ticket loans, health screening, opportunity to buy/swap holidays and enhanced maternity and paternity provision, plus many more.

We offer regular international, and studio based social, sporting and charitable events. Some recent events include month-end socials, a hiking club, wellbeing webinars and toolbox talks. Our variety of employee forums gives everyone the platform to have a voice and be heard which drives cultural changes and helps to create an engaged, inclusive organisation.

To find out on more detail about what BDP can offer you, please visit: https://www.bdp.com/en/careers-at-bdp/why-join-bdp/.

To apply

BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. BDP also operates a hybrid working policy which is usually three days in the office and two days working from home.

No agency or third-party applications please.