Principal Ecologist

MorePeople; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Two paid volunteer days each year

Training and professional development

Enhanced pension contribution

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Regular team socials

Job summary

MorePeople is seeking a Principal Ecologist in Bristol to lead ecology and biodiversity projects within planning. You will manage projects from inception to completion, provide technical input, mentor junior staff and contribute to wider nature teams.

Responsibilities include leading projects, QA reviews of PEAs and BNG assessments, conducting field surveys (UKHab, bat surveys), producing biodiversity net gain plans in QGIS and engaging with clients and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or a related scientific discipline, MSc desirable.
• Confident using QGIS, with the ability to independently produce high-quality habitat and survey maps.
• Experience independently undertaking PEAs on moderately complex sites.
• Strong knowledge of BNG and practical experience using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver ecology and biodiversity projects
• Manage low to moderate complexity projects from inception through to completion
• Produce and undertake technical QA reviews of PEAs, BNG Assessments and protected species reports
• Complete BNG calculations using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric
• Undertake and lead straightforward to medium-complexity field surveys, including UKHab, PEA and bat surveys
• Produce biodiversity net gain plans and mapping using QGIS
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and proposals
• Line manage, support and mentor consultant and graduate team members
• Attend client and project meetings
• Liaise with clients, consultants and external stakeholders

Skills

Project leadership

Client liaison

Report writing

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor in ecology or related field

MSc in ecology or related field (desirable)

Tools

QGIS

UKHab

Job description

Principal Ecologist

Bristol

Competitive salary

Looking to work on projects that create positive outcomes for biodiversity?

As Principal Ecologist, you'll lead and deliver ecology and biodiversity projects, helping to meet client requirements across a variety of planning projects. You'll manage projects from inception through to completion, provide technical expertise, support junior colleagues and contribute to wider project teams.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary package
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Two paid volunteer days each year
• Training and professional development programmes
• Hybrid working
• Regular team socials

The Role

You'll be responsible for delivering ecology and biodiversity projects in support of the planning process, managing work from inception through to completion and providing technical input across the wider nature team.

Your work will include:

• Lead and deliver ecology and biodiversity projects
• Manage low to moderate complexity projects from inception through to completion
• Produce and undertake technical QA reviews of PEAs, BNG Assessments and protected species reports
• Complete BNG calculations using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric
• Undertake and lead straightforward to medium-complexity field surveys, including UKHab, PEA and bat surveys
• Produce biodiversity net gain plans and mapping using QGIS
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and proposals
• Line manage, support and mentor consultant and graduate team members
• Attend client and project meetings
• Liaise with clients, consultants and external stakeholders

About You

• Relevant degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or a related scientific discipline, with an MSc desirable
• Confident using QGIS, with the ability to independently produce high-quality habitat and survey maps
• Experience independently undertaking PEAs on moderately complex sites
• Strong knowledge of BNG and practical experience using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric
• Experience planning and leading moderate-complexity bat survey projects
• Ability to identify common bat species in the field and through recognised bat call identification software
• Experience carrying out other protected species surveys
• Good botanical knowledge, with the ability to classify straightforward sites using UKHab criteria to FISC Level 3
• Experience in at least one additional protected species or ecology discipline, such as HRA or EcIA
• Bat licence and/or bird survey experience would be highly desirable
• Associate CIEEM membership and working towards Full membership
• Excellent report writing, project management and client relationship skills
• Highly organised, self-motivated and comfortable working independently