Senior Ecologist

SLR CONSULTING; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consultancy is seeking a Senior Ecologist in Cardiff to manage projects and provide expert ecological advice. The role involves mentoring junior staff, overseeing ecological reports, and working on sustainable projects across Wales. The ideal candidate should possess significant experience and relevant qualifications, with opportunities for career progression and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Excellent healthcare offering

Company pension

Flexible working hours

25 days annual leave with additional bank holidays

Qualifications

• 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience in ecological consultancy.
• Experience managing ecological projects and technical report preparation.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car.

Responsibilities

• Managing ecological projects, overseeing resource allocation and client feedback.
• Producing ecological appraisals, reports, and licence applications.
• Mentoring junior team members and ensuring survey quality.

Skills

Project management

Ecological assessment

Environmental consultancy

Mentoring

Client communication

Education

Degree in ecology or related discipline

CIEEM Qualifying Member status

Job description

Job Title

Senior Ecologist

Vacancy No

VN5112

Employment Type

Permanent

Contract Type

Full-Time

Advert

Following its recent acquisition by SLR, Wardell Armstrong now forms part of a leading global environmental and sustainability consultancy working on projects across the world from over 100 offices. The Ecology team is highly successful and as part of our ongoing plans we wish to recruit an experienced Senior/Principal Ecologist to join our dynamic team in Cardiff. The ideal candidate will have between 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience in an ecologically focused role, preferably in ecological consultancy.

You will be joining a supportive team based in Cardiff, with the option of hybrid/ flexible working. The joining of SLR and Wardell Armstrong brings together a team of approximately 200 ecologists distributed across the UK and Ireland. Our experienced consultants provide expert advice on ecological and environmental issues affecting a broad range of habitats and protected species. Licensed members of our team can deal with great crested newts, bats, badgers, dormice and reptiles. We’re proud of our strong working relationships with Natural England, the Wildlife Trust, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.
The ecology team works alongside several other environmental professionals within the Firm, including planners, archaeologists, arboriculturists, landscape architects and engineers

The role
Project work will be varied, and there will be a strong focus on renewable energy, infrastructure and residential schemes as well as other commercial development projects. Project work will be within Wales and the South West and occasional further afield within the UK.
• Managing ecological projects (commensurate with experience), assisting team leads with managing resource allocation and financial budgets, addressing any client feedback and ensuring effective communications on all projects.
• Producing and overseeing the production of ecological appraisals, reports, licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, EPS licences and other similar documents.
• Mentoring junior team members
• Carrying out ecological surveys, where necessary, and checking that surveys are being carried out to the required standards by all staff.
• Assist the team leads with the preparation of fee proposals.

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
• A good level of both academic and professional qualifications in ecology or a related discipline.
• Experience of managing ecological projects to completion and reporting to the standards required by planning authorities, Natural Resources Wales and other similar bodies.
• Experience of making licence applications and holds at least 1 Protected Species licence. A bat licence would be advantageous.
• Experience of preparing a wide range of technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, ES Chapters, Habitat Regulations Assessments and other technical reports.
• Experience of applying for Natural Resources Wales/Natural England mitigation licences.
• Good knowledge of relevant UK and European legislation, policy and guidance.
• Qualifying Member’ status, or higher, of CIEEM.
• A full UK driving licence essential and access to own car is essential.

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.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Country

United Kingdom

Office

Cardiff - Tudor House