Senior Ecologist

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks a Senior Ecologist to join a large, collaborative ecology team and lead complex surveys and ecological deliverables across the UK.

You will mentor colleagues, provide technical advice, manage tenders, and liaise with regulators and clients to influence biodiversity outcomes.

Qualifications

• Academic qualification in a related discipline and CIEEM membership.
• Protected species license(s) or other specialist ecological consultancy skills.
• Experience in undertaking PEAs, habitat surveys and protected species surveys.
• Experience producing fee quotations and tenders and inputting into technical ecological reports.
• Teamwork with ecologists and environmental professionals.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation and survey methodologies.
• Desirable ability to author Ecological Impact Assessments.
• Strong communication skills and a proactive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical advice and leading ecology surveys including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, UKHab surveys and protected species surveys.
• Preparing tenders and suites of habitat, botanical and protected species surveys.
• Inputting into ecological deliverables such as PEAs, EIAs and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Client liaison and project management.
• Consultation and negotiation with regulators and stakeholders.
• Nurturing an enthusiastic, supportive, and productive working environment.
• Providing mentoring and training to the wider ecology team.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Mentoring

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Academic qualification in related discipline

CIEEM membership

Protected species license(s)

Job description

Senior Ecologist – WSP

As a Senior Ecologist you will be part of a large, friendly and diverse team that prioritises collaboration, wellbeing and professional growth. You will work alongside environmental specialists across the UK, gaining exposure to multidisciplinary thinking and global expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing technical advice and leading ecology surveys including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, UKHab surveys and protected species surveys.
• Preparing tenders and suites of habitat, botanical and protected species surveys.
• Inputting into a range of ecological deliverables such as Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Management Plans, Protected Species Reports, European Protected Species licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity chapters of EIAs and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Client liaison and project management.
• Consultation and negotiation with regulators and stakeholders.
• Helping nurture an enthusiastic, supportive, and productive working environment.
• Providing mentoring and training to the wider ecology team.

Qualifications and Experience

• An appropriate academic qualification in a related discipline and membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (mentoring available for upgrade to Full Membership).
• Protected species license(s) or other specialist skill sets relevant to ecological consultancy.
• Experience in undertaking PEAs, Hab survey and protected species surveys.
• Experience producing fee quotations and tenders and inputting into technical ecological reports.
• Teamwork with ecologists and environmental professionals.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation and policy, and ecological survey methodologies.
• Desirable ability to author Ecological Impact Assessments.
• Strong communication skills and a solution-focused, proactive attitude.

Flexible working is a core part of our culture, with support for work‑life balance and knowledge sharing. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to large‑scale and complex schemes with real influence on biodiversity outcomes.