Principal Ecologist

Mattinson Partnership; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

Career development

Friendly team environment

Meaningful projects

Varied projects across sectors

Nature-positive projects

Job summary

Mattinson Partnership is seeking a Principal Ecological Consultant to join its Ecology team in the Glasgow/Edinburgh region. The role focuses on leading ecological projects, delivering high-quality technical advice, and mentoring junior ecologists, while actively engaging with clients to identify new opportunities.

You will work across projects, develop mitigation and monitoring strategies, and contribute to business development through proposals and tenders as the ecology service grows.

Qualifications

• Solid experience in ecological consultancy
• Knowledge of ecology legislation, policy and best practice
• Experience with PEAs, EcIAs, Species Protection Plans and Habitats Regulations Assessments
• Understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological projects from inception to completion, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Provide technical ecological advice and oversee surveys and assessments.
• Develop mitigation and monitoring strategies and review technical reports.
• Mentor and develop less-experienced ecologists and support colleagues.
• Engage with clients to understand needs and identify new opportunities.
• Collaborate with other environmental disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support business development, including proposals and tenders to grow the ecology service.

Skills

Project management

Client liaison

Mentoring

QGIS/ArcGIS Pro

Technical ecology

Education

Degree in Ecology/Environmental Science/ Biological Sciences

CIEEM membership

Tools

QGIS

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

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Location: Glasgow or Edinburgh, with the opportunity to work across both offices.

About the Role

Our client is a well-established environmental consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality ecological and environmental services. With a growing team and a varied project portfolio, they work with clients across a range of sectors to deliver practical, sustainable and nature-positive solutions.

They are looking for an experienced Principal Ecological Consultant to join their Ecology team. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on with projects, providing technical advice, supporting colleagues and developing strong relationships with clients.

The Role

You'll take the lead on a range of ecological projects, managing them from the early stages through to completion and making sure they are delivered to a high standard, on time and within budget.

The role will involve providing technical ecological advice, overseeing surveys and assessments, developing mitigation and monitoring strategies, and preparing and reviewing technical reports. You'll also have the opportunity to mentor less experienced team members and help them develop their skills.

A key part of the role will be working directly with clients, understanding their needs and helping to develop new opportunities. You'll also work closely with colleagues across different environmental disciplines to deliver joined-up solutions.

There will be plenty of opportunity to get involved in business development, including proposals and tenders, as well as helping to improve and develop the ecology service as the business continues to grow.

About You

We're looking for someone with solid experience in ecological consultancy who is confident managing projects and providing technical advice. You'll ideally have a degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences or a related subject, alongside full CIEEM membership and an interest in working towards Chartered status.

You should have strong knowledge of ecological legislation, policy and best practice, with experience in areas such as PEAs, EcIAs, Species Protection Plans and Habitats Regulations Assessments.

An understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is also important.

Experience with QGIS or ArcGIS Pro would be useful, as would previous experience mentoring or managing other ecologists.

Package

• Generous salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• A supportive and friendly team environment.
• A varied range of projects across different sectors.
• The chance to work on interesting, meaningful and nature-positive projects.