Senior Ecologist

Wessex Water Services; Bath; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the water sector is looking for Ecologists and Senior Ecologists to join their dedicated Ecology team in Bath. This role provides an exciting opportunity to manage various ecological projects, ensuring balanced development while minimizing environmental impact. The position offers a supportive learning environment with room for professional growth and a focus on work-life balance. The successful candidates will primarily conduct ecological assessments and work collaboratively within a high-performing team, contributing to sustainable project outcomes.

Benefits

Combined pension contribution up to 20%

Career progression opportunities

25 days holiday, rising to 28 with length of service

Flexible working arrangements

Healthcare package

Life assurance up to eight times salary

Cashback and discounts from retailers

Paid volunteering day each year

Enhanced family leave arrangements

Support from mental health first aiders

Qualifications

• At least three to five years of experience in a project delivery-focused role.
• Competent in ecological surveys and assessments.
• Practical understanding of ecological mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of projects from initial design through to construction.
• Deliver ecological surveys, impact assessments, and mitigation support.
• Work closely with design engineers to manage ecological impacts.

Skills

Habitat mapping (UKHab)

Protected species appraisal surveys

Ecological report writing

Use of biodiversity net gain metric

IT skills

GIS systems (ArcGIS)

Education

Degree in ecology or related subject

Job description

We are looking for candidates at either an Ecologist or Senior Ecologist level to join our team.

If you are looking for a role that focuses on our local environment and you love engaging with equally passionate people, then we want to hear from you!

You will be encouraged to have a voice, be free-thinking and empowered, while also working in a high-performing team and having a genuine opportunity to make an impact.

Although based in Bath, this role will require you to travel throughout the Wessex Water region on a regular basis. We also offer flexible working, allowing you to work from home some of the time, if preferred, as well as from our office.
What you'll do

Our in-house Ecology team provides a wide range of services to facilitate project delivery for engineering, construction and operational projects.

The Ecology team support a diverse range of projects and enjoys the satisfaction of working on and influencing their projects from outline design through to completion.

Supporting our agreed rolling five-year programmes of work - all within the Wessex Water region - and working closely with our in-house design teams, our Ecologists spend most of their time doing the ecology work they love and enjoy an excellent work/life balance. Supporting fee proposals is not a feature of this role.

In this role, you will manage a portfolio of individual projects from initial design through to construction. You will work closely with Design Engineers and Project Managers to minimise the ecological impacts and risks of projects.

You will deliver a range of services, including ecological surveys, ecological impact assessment and protected species work, through to mitigation and construction support.
What you'll need

You will have studied a degree in ecology or a similar related subject and typically have at least three to five years' similar experience in a project delivery-focused role.

You will:

• be competent in habitat mapping (UKHab) and protected species appraisal surveys
• have a practical and pragmatic understanding of habitat and protected species mitigation
• be experienced in the use and application of the statutory biodiversity net gain metric
• have good ecological report writing skills
• have a good applied understanding of the UK planning process and legal framework
• have experience working proactively with engineering teams throughout design and construction
• have a proactive and flexible approach with a focus on successful project delivery
• have good IT skills and experience with GIS systems (ArcGIS).

It would also be advantageous if you:

• hold one or more protected species survey licences (great crested newt, bats)
• have experience and preferably hold one or more protected species mitigation licences (great crested newts, badgers, water voles or bats)
• have experience in writing ecological impact assessments and habitat regulations assessments.

Due to the nature of travelling around the Wessex Water region, which in some cases can be very rural, a full clean driving licence is essential.
What you'll receive

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary, subject to conditions.
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

Who we are

YTL UK is part of the international YTL Group based in Kuala Lumpur. The UK companies include:

• Wessex Water - one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West
• YTL Developments - a major UK developer currently redeveloping a 350 acre former airfield into an award winning, exciting mix of houses, apartments, schools, commercial space, restaurants and hotels, to make a truly sustainable new community
• YTL Construction UK - a top 20 UK contractor providing fully integrated services to infrastructure, residential, commercial, industry, energy and environmental sectors
• YTL Arena - the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 19,000 capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space
• plus a number of other retail, environmental and specialist businesses.

Our people tell us that YTL UK is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have a unique opportunity to develop and progress your career within such a diverse group.

We are passionate about diversity and inclusion - with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Recruitment team.