Principal Ecologist & Team Leader

WSP in the UK & Ireland; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Flexible working options

Wellbeing and health benefits

Professional development and Charter-?

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Ecologist to join the Nature Services team across Scotland and Ireland. You will work with a network of technical specialists to deliver a diverse portfolio, leading and mentoring peers while supporting project resourcing and client liaison.

You will plan and execute Phase 1/ UKHab surveys, prepare ecological reports and tenders, and contribute to the growth of the team through knowledge sharing and professional development.

Qualifications

• A relevant academic qualification in ecology or a related subject.
• Full membership of CIEEM (ideally working toward full chartership) or eligible to apply.
• Proven relevant experience of motivating and leading others, including supporting team development and managing project workloads.
• Advanced technical knowledge and competency in designing, planning and undertaking ecology desk-based and field-based surveys within the UK such as botanical survey and habitat classification and/or protected species surveys across a broad range of habitats and seasons, and use of H&S practices including site risk assessments.
• Ability to produce and review high quality, technically and scientifically robust ecological reports and other project deliverables including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Reports, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, and Environmental Statement chapters.
• Proven relevant experience gained within a professional consultancy, regulatory and/or industrial role(s) with strong communication and organisation skills.
• Proven relevant experience of project and budget management, preparing proposals and client engagement, including ability to demonstrate effective time management and delivery across multiple projects would be an advantage.
• Advanced technical knowledge and competency of relevant ecology policy and guidance (particularly within Scotland),including excellent attention to detail in analysis and interpretation of ecological data would be an advantage.
• A technical specialismor hold (or have held) protected species survey and/or mitigation licences would be an advantage.
• A desire to develop your core ecological and consultancy skills and be supported by a team of ecologists and other environmental professionals.

Responsibilities

• Embrace our Health, Safety and Wellbeing culture and create a safe place for all to work.
• Provide motivational leadership and line management for team members at various grades including overseeing workload planning and forecasting, whilst guiding and supporting professional development.
• Support the Team Lead/Deputy Team Lead with day-to-day project resourcing and through proactively contributing to effective team management in areas such as health and safety, technical training, recruitment, and chairing of meetings.
• Plan and undertake ecology surveys including Phase 1/ UKHab habitat surveys and protected species surveys (badger, otter, bat, amphibians and reptiles, etc).
• Prepare and review tenders and a range of ecological deliverables including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Reports, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, technical reports and mitigation licence applications.
• Undertake client liaison and project management.
• Conduct consultation and negotiation with regulators and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members whilst helping to nurture an enthusiastic, supportive, and productive working environment.
• Build and maintain a visible internal and external profile as a technical expert and collaborative leader.
• Participate in weekly and monthly Nature Services team meetings and national initiatives.
• Deepen your technicalexpertiseand pursue professional developmentsupported by colleagues and through formal training.
• Harness your potential to develop specific skillsets and share technical knowledge and opportunities for learning and innovations with colleagues.

Job description

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Ecologist to join the Nature Services team across Scotland and Ireland. You will work with a network of technical specialists to deliver a diverse portfolio, leading and mentoring peers while supporting project resourcing and client liaison.

You will plan and execute Phase 1/ UKHab surveys, prepare ecological reports and tenders, and contribute to the growth of the team through knowledge sharing and professional development.