Principal / Associate Ecologist

Mott Macdonald; Hartford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in England is seeking an Associate Ecologist to join their East of England Ecology Team. This role involves managing ecological projects and providing expert advice throughout their lifecycle. The ideal candidate has a degree in Ecology, significant experience in ecological consultancy, and outstanding communication skills. This position offers a minimum of 33-35 days of holiday, private medical insurance, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Health cash plan

Professional development opportunities

Generous holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Ecological Consultancy or equivalent transferable skills.
• Proficiency in report writing and acting as a checker/reviewer for ecological deliverables.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK.

Responsibilities

• Join the team at Associate Ecologist level, primarily office-based but involving site work.
• Manage utilisation, training, and recruitment needs in collaboration with team leads.
• Contribute to projects spanning all stages of a project's life cycle.

Skills

Ecological Consultancy

Report Writing

Communication

People Management

Project Management

Education

Degree in Ecology or related subject

Chartered Ecologist or equivalent (or able to achieve within 6 months)

Job description

Overview

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of changes to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We 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 the future.

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.

Accessibility: We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working: We are happy to talk openly about flexible working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace. We offer some fantastic benefits including health and wellbeing.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A comprehensive wellbeing program with a variety of wellbeing support 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.

Responsibilities

• Joining our team at Associate Ecologist level, you will primarily be office-based but may engage in site work in your area of expertise.
• As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, communities, and each other. We share responsibility for staff wellbeing, mentoring, and career development for the East of England Ecology Team and may line manage some team members.
• You will work with the Regional Lead, Area Lead, and UK Ecology Team Lead to manage utilisation, appointments, training, and recruitment needs. Regular team briefings/meetings will ensure effective management and communication.
• Projects span all stages of a project's life cycle, offering opportunities to influence scheme design, enhancements, and promote best practices. Although part of the East of England ecology team, you will be connected to a larger team of ecologists with excellent career progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• A degree in Ecology (or a directly related subject).
• Extensive experience in Ecological Consultancy (or equivalent with transferable skills).
• A Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent. Must be a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Biologist (or able to achieve this within 6 months).
• Ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams, clients and regulators.
• Proficiency in report writing skills and a track record in acting as a checker/reviewer for ecological deliverables.
• Technical specialism (e.g. protected species mitigation licences or advanced botanical skills).
• Desirable: An additional higher degree would be an advantage.
• Experience of People Management.
• Proven Project Management skills.
• Experience of preparing costs and text for bids.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK.

Benefits

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday per year, inclusive of public holidays (with the ability to buy or sell leave).
• Holiday entitlement increases to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years of service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.
• Enhanced family and carers leave, including 26 weeks paid maternity/adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Shared parental leave with up to 24 weeks of pay.
• Up to five additional days of leave for significant caring responsibilities (two paid).
• 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.
• Join a wide range of groups including Advanced Employee Networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

About the division

Environmental and social considerations are central to Mott MacDonald’s purpose and offerings across all sectors. Our environment and social business provides essential services and innovative solutions which anticipate our clients’ needs across all sectors. We are leading the way in Nature Services and seek talented individuals to join our Ecology Team. We pride ourselves on high standards and are at the forefront of ecological advice, having written guidance, delivered training on biodiversity net gain (BNG), and contributed to CIEEM’s raising standards documents. We offer opportunities to collaborate with clients, learn, and grow within a supportive, employee-owned culture. Our East of England Ecology Team in Norwich and Cambridge comprises 22 members from Graduate to Technical Director level.