Principal Marine Ornithologist

SLR CONSULTING; Remote; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in Scotland is seeking a Principal Marine Ornithologist. This role involves delivering impactful compensation and monitoring plans for marine renewable energy projects. Responsibilities include preparing ornithological assessments, managing offshore projects, and providing expert advice to clients. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of environmental planning, experience with seabird ecology, and is skilled in project management. Competitive salary, hybrid working conditions, and excellent career progression opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Company pension

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience with the European Birds and Habitats Directives.
• Experience conducting ESAS and seabird colony count surveys.
• Ability to produce and review high-quality reports.

Responsibilities

• Prepare compensation plans for offshore wind farms.
• Manage and coordinate offshore ornithology projects.
• Conduct ornithological fieldwork.

Skills

Understanding of the environmental planning system

Experience with ornithological impact assessments

Knowledge of European seabird ecology

Project management skills

Strong IT skills including Word and Excel

Education

Higher degree in ecology or related subject

Tools

Collision risk modelling

Spatial modelling

Population viability analysis

Job description

We are looking for a Principal Marine Ornithologist to join our team to help deliver impactful habitat compensation and monitoring plans for marine renewable energy projects and support in the delivery of ornithological assessments and guidance.

The role

• Preparation of delivery of compensation plans for offshore wind farm projects.
• Preparation and review of Ornithological Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments and technical reports.
• Project management, coordination and delivery of offshore ornithology projects.
• Preparing and coordinating tender submissions.
• Undertaking analysis of offshore wind farm impacts on protected seabird populations.
• Assisting clients with written and oral advice, including in meetings with key stakeholders.
• Ornithological field work.
• Contributing to strategic ornithology projects undertaken by the marine ornithology team.

About us

SLR are global leaders in Sustainability Solutions, helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with 4000+ employees across 6 regions in over 125 countries. Our ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development.

Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. Alongside 25 day’s annual leave, with additional flexible bank holidays, we offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, with family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and home life.

About you

• Strong experience and understanding of the environmental planning system in relation to the production of ornithological impact assessments.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of the European Birds and Habitats Directives and methods for assessments with regards to European Designated sites.
• Knowledge of the ecology of European seabirds.
• ESAS and seabird colony count survey experience.
• A flexible and proactive approach to work.
• Comprehensive experience of project management and managing a diverse workload.
• The ability to produce and review high quality reports and deliver them to clients on time and to budget.
• Good working relationship with regulators and statutory advisors.
• Educated to higher degree level in ecology or related subject, or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of experience.
• Strong IT skills including Word and Excel.

Whilst not essential, any experience of the following would also be useful:

• Previous experience of using some or all of the key tools in undertaking impacts assessments of offshore wind farm projects on seabird populations (collision risk modelling, spatial modelling, apportioning, displacement analysis, population viability analysis).
• Field survey experience.
• Previous experience of checking and analysing digital aerial survey data.

Culture & Inclusion at SLR

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional C&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all people regardless of their background can thrive.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently under‑represented at SLR, such as people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent.

Should you require any special adjustments throughout the recruitment process with us, please let us know. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we seek to ensure all applicants have equitable support when applying to SLR.

• SLR Commitment – All applicants with a disability who meet the essential requirements for the job will be guaranteed an interview in line with our Disability Confident Committed status