Principal Ornithologist

Atmos Consulting Ltd; Mold; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Performance bonus

Flexible benefits

Career progression

Mentoring

Innovative projects

Career development support

Job summary

Atmos Consulting Ltd in Mold (North Wales) seeks an experienced ornithologist to join our Ecology team at a leadership level, directing delivery of high-quality environmental advice across key projects.

You will collaborate with the Leadership Team and Ornithology Technical Director to lead medium and large projects, shape services, and mentor junior staff, with flexible or hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in ornithology or a related field.
• Degree in ecology or related subject.
• Full current driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Direct/manage a range of medium and large projects delivering Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitat Regulations Appraisal.
• Collaborate with Ecology colleagues to shape Atmos service offerings and client services.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships with organisations like NatureScot, Natural England, NRW and RSPB.
• Support GIS team with modelling approaches and data analyses, including displacement and population viability analyses.
• Assist the Technical Director with resource planning, mentoring, and staff development; act as technical lead when required.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Interpersonal communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Driving licence

Education

Degree in ecology or related subject

Tools

MS Word

Excel

GIS

Job description

Are you an established ornithologist with a minimum of 5 years' experience, looking to make a positive career move in an inspiring and supportive place to work?

Atmos Consulting has a rare opportunity to join our highly respected and talented Ecology team at a leadership level. This is a senior level position, and you will play a pivotal role in developing the team and the services we offer our clients.

About This Role

You will work closely with the Atmos Leadership Team and the Ornithology Technical Director to lead the team in the delivery of high-quality technical advice across a variety of critical projects in the low carbon economy.

Working in collaboration with Ecology colleagues and other environmental disciplines, you will be given the opportunity to innovate and enhance our service delivery in exciting areas, including habitat restoration, positive biodiversity outcomes and nature-based solutions as well shaping how we collect and analyse our data.

The role is based at our Mold (North Wales) office, with flexible or hybrid working arrangements available to support work-life balance.

In This Role You Should Expect To

• Direct/manage a range of medium and large projects to deliver high-quality Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitat Regulations Appraisal services.
• Work closely with colleagues in shaping the Atmos service offering, building new ideas into useful client services.
• Build and shape stakeholder relationships with organisations such as NatureScot, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and RSPB.
• Maintain relationships with clients.
• In collaboration with our highly respected GIS team, build on our expertise and reputation in modelling techniques, including collision risk modelling, spatial modelling, displacement analysis and population viability analysis.
• Support the Technical Director in resource and business planning, mentoring and advising junior staff and deputise as appropriate. Act as a 'go to' for technical advice, promoting best practice in ecological impact assessment and conservation, both internally and externally.

Who are we looking for?

This is a key position in the team, and you will have a lead voice in the delivery of the ornithological services that Atmos provides.

You would be a great fit for this role if you have:

• A passion for and commitment to sustainable development.
• A collaborative and supportive attitude to team working, with a flexible and proactive approach to work.
• Natural curiosity, a willingness to learn and share knowledge, with an appetite to explore how we can innovate in our business.
• A firm understanding of the relevant framework of legislation and guidance within the UK.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate on technical issues both strategically and in detail when required.
• A degree in ecology or a related subject, or the ability to demonstrate an equivalent level of experience.
• Health and Safety awareness, especially safe working practices and risk assessment related to ecology fieldwork.
• IT skills including the use of MS Word and Excel.
• Full current driving licence.

What we offer

For over 15 years Atmos Consulting has been at the heart of the net-zero economy, supporting our clients to realise their project goals. Our vision is to be our clients' sought-after, trusted environmental advisor, providing expert, fuss-free solutions, offering a one-team approach and an inspiring, people-centric place to work.

Every day our team comes to work knowing they are working for an organisation committed to growing and developing its people - a business that it is passionate about making a real difference to sustainable development, protecting the environment and enhancing the world we live in.

Benefits

In addition to rewarding you with a competitive salary and other standard benefits, including 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and pension scheme, Atmos offers:

• An annual discretionary company performance bonus scheme; paid out in each of the last three years.
• Flexible benefits to suit you, including employee assistance programme, cycle to work & tax-free childcare scheme.
• A modern, friendly and flexible work environment with real career progression opportunities, supported by our buddying and mentoring approach.
• A fully supportive environment where you will be actively encouraged to be innovative and collaborative.
• An opportunity to work and lead on a wide variety of cutting-edge projects, addressing the big environmental challenges in the low-carbon economy and shaping the built environment for generations to come.
• Active support to expand your horizons and grow your career.

We are proud to be an inclusive company. As such we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief.