Senior Ecologist

Geoscience Ireland; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global environmental consultancy seeks a Senior/Principal Ecologist for its Cardiff office. Responsibilities include managing projects, producing ecological reports, and mentoring junior team members. Ideal candidates will have substantial ecological experience and relevant licenses, fitting into a collaborative and supportive culture aimed at sustainability.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Company pension

Excellent healthcare

Flexible working arrangements

Annual leave and additional flexible bank holidays

Qualifications

• 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience in ecological consultancy.
• Experience managing ecological projects and reporting to planning authorities.
• Experience making license applications, preferably with a bat license.

Responsibilities

• Managing ecological projects and overseeing the production of ecological appraisals.
• Mentoring junior staff and ensuring survey standards are maintained.
• Assisting with fee proposal preparations.

Skills

Ecological knowledge

Project management

Consultancy skills

Education

Degree in Ecology or related discipline

CIEEM Membership (Qualifying Member or higher)

Job description

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

1. Managing ecological projects (commensurate with experience), assisting team leads with managing resource allocation and financial budgets, addressing any client feedback, and ensuring effective communication on all projects.
2. Producing and overseeing the production of ecological appraisals, reports, licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, EPS licences, and other similar documents.
3. Mentoring junior team members.
4. Carrying out ecological surveys, where necessary, and checking that surveys are being carried out to the required standards by all staff.
5. Assisting 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 4,000+ 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, excellent healthcare, travel and life insurance, and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. We offer 25 days of annual leave, with additional flexible bank holidays, and flexible, agile, and hybrid working arrangements to help balance professional and home life.

About you

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

Culture & Inclusion at SLR

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, fostering an inclusive environment where all people can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, including those from under-represented groups, such as 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities, including neurodivergent individuals.

If you require any special adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. As a Disability Confident employer, we seek to ensure equitable support for all applicants.