Senior Ecologist - Ornithology - UK Wide, Flexible Locations

Tetra Tech; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

CPD

In‑house training

Career frameworks

Car allowance

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking a Senior Ornithologist to lead high‑impact surveys and advisory work across the UK, delivering robust ornithological guidance that informs planning and development.

You will manage multi‑season bird surveys, support Habitat Regulations work, review technical reports, and collaborate with planners, engineers and other specialists to integrate ecological outcomes into project delivery, while mentoring junior ecologists.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree and strong consultancy experience in ornithology.
• Membership of, or eligibility for, CIEEM; full UK driving licence and legal right to work in the UK.
• Proven track record of delivering multi‑season surveys and managing projects; additional species skills advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Deliver ornithological advice and project management within the national ecology team.
• Lead multi‑season bird surveys (winter, passage, breeding).
• Support Habitat Regulations work and review technical reports.
• Collaborate with planners, engineers and other specialists to integrate ecological outcomes into project delivery.
• Mentor junior ecologists and contribute to in‑house training.

Skills

Survey design

Technical reporting

Project management

Mentoring

Cross-disciplinary collab

Education

Relevant degree

CIEEM membership/eligibility

UK driving licence

Job description

Join Tetra Tech’s award‑winning ecology team as a Senior Ornithologist and lead high‑impact surveys and advisory work that protect species and shape development across the UK. If you want technical challenge, mentoring responsibility and clear career progression in a supportive, multidisciplinary consultancy, read on.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

You will deliver ornithological advice and project management within Tetra Tech’s national ecology team, contributing to surveys, impact assessments, mitigation design and client liaison across sectors including residential, defence, energy, infrastructure and government. You’ll lead multi‑season bird surveys (winter, passage, breeding), support Habitat Regulations work, review technical reports and collaborate with planners, engineers and other specialists to integrate ecological outcomes into project delivery.

Your Impact in this position

Your field data, technical judgements and mitigation designs will directly influence planning decisions and conservation outcomes. You will manage multiple projects to high client expectations, mentor junior staff, strengthen client relationships and help grow the business through strong commercial and technical leadership.

Core Capabilities

• Survey Design & Delivery: Lead robust winter, passage and breeding bird surveys across diverse landscapes and wind‑farm contexts.
• Technical Reporting & Review: Produce and critically review clear, defendable ecological and planning‑stage reports.
• Project & Client Management: Manage budgets, schedules and client expectations; deliver multiple projects to deadline.
• Mentoring & Team Development: Coach junior ecologists, share technical expertise and contribute to in‑house training.
• Cross‑disciplinary Collaboration: Integrate ornithological input into multidisciplinary projects and support business development.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Relevant degree and strong consultancy experience in ornithology. Membership of, or eligibility for, CIEEM; full UK driving licence and legal right to work in the UK. Proven track record of delivering multi‑season surveys and managing projects; additional species skills advantageous.

Working Environment

Flexible, hybrid working with regular fieldwork and collaboration across offices. Expect site visits and client meetings alongside remote working for reporting.

Benefits

• Flexible hours
• CPD
• in‑house training
• career frameworks
• car or car allowance
• incentives for licence attainment and chartership support

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements.

This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace.

Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.