Lead Ecologist

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Ecologist to join their Capital Delivery team. This role is crucial in driving sustainability and ecological best practices in infrastructure projects across the Thames Valley and beyond. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation while enhancing biodiversity. This position offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and the opportunity to make a real impact in the water and wastewater sector. If you are passionate about ecology and eager to contribute to a sustainable future, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

26 days holiday (increasing to 30)

Contributory pension scheme

Personal Medical Assessments

Benefits hub with offers and information

Qualifications

• Degree or master's in Ecology, Conservation, or related field required.
• Full member of CIEEM preferred with knowledge of protected species.

Responsibilities

• Oversee ecological best practices in infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure compliance with biodiversity regulations.

Skills

Ecology

Conservation

Stakeholder Engagement

Biodiversity Metrics

Project Management

Education

Degree in Ecology

Master's in Ecology or related field

Tools

Ecological Survey Methods

Biodiversity Assessment Tools

Job description

Job title: Lead Ecologist Ref: 39825

Division: Asset Operations & Capital Delivery

Location: Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB

Contract type: Permanent

Full/Part-time: Full-time

Salary: Competitive salary from £50,000 to £58,000 per annum depending on skills and experience

Job grade: B

Closing date: 06/05/2025

Lead Ecologist – Capital Delivery Team

Are you passionate about ecology and ready to make a real impact in the water and wastewater sector?

As a Lead Ecologist within our Capital Delivery team, you'll be pivotal in shaping environmental aspects for projects across Thames Valley, the home counties, and beyond.

Working closely with our Environmental Technical Assurance Engineers, you'll ensure ecological best practices are embedded in infrastructure projects, driving sustainability and compliance while protecting biodiversity.

What you’ll be doing as a Lead Ecologist

• Your key responsibility will be to oversee de-risking and mitigation activities throughout the project lifecycle from Preliminary Design through completion, with a specific focus on ecology-related risks. In this role, you will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative environment. Your support for proactive initiatives such as conducting ecological walkovers for protected species will be crucial, making you an integral part of the team.
• You will collaborate with project teams to ensure smooth project delivery. A crucial part of your role will be reviewing contractors' Ecology and Protected Species documentation, including Method Statements for ecological surveys, PEAs, and biodiversity assessments, to ensure they meet the required standards. You will also play a significant role in supporting biodiversity net gain commitments across major capital projects.
• You act as a critical interface between Capital Delivery and the various internal and external stakeholder groups involved in BNG. You will play a significant role in enhancing biodiversity. Your efforts in driving the Contractor’s compliance with achieving biodiversity net gain and promoting ecological awareness to embed a culture of environmental responsibility will give you a strong sense of purpose and contribution.
• Support managers' relationships with regulators such as Natural England, environmental groups, and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with relevant environmental legislation at project and programme levels.

Based in Hybrid, Clearwater Court, Reading, you will be required on-site one day a week as part of your role.

36 hours a week, Monday to Friday.

Successful candidates must have a driver's licence and access to a car.

What you should bring to the role

• Degree or a master's in Ecology, Conservation, Earth Sciences or a related topic.
• Full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) (preferred).
• Protected species survey knowledge.
• Expertise with the industry standard Biodiversity Metric.
• Confidence to speak to all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Background of working on large projects.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £50,000 to £58,000 per annum.
• 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with length of service (Plus bank holidays).
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% - 2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• A wider benefits scheme includes our benefits hub, which is packed with offers and information to save money and support your well-being.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.