Senior Ornithologist

Tetra Tech Europe; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking a Senior Ornithologist to join our ecology team in the UK, delivering technically robust and commercially aware solutions across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.

You will manage a portfolio of projects, provide high-quality outputs from surveys to mitigation, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders. Hybrid working across multiple UK locations is available.

Qualifications

• Experience in ecological/ornithological consultancy.
• Understanding of the planning system and relevant environmental legislation.
• Experience designing and undertaking a range of surveys and interpreting findings.
• Experience supporting ecological mitigation strategies including ECoW duties.
• Full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across the UK, with overnight stays where required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of ecology projects in the UK.
• Produce high-quality ecological outputs, surveys and reports.
• Contribute to fee proposals, tender submissions, invoicing, and project finances.
• Engage with clients, regulators and stakeholders to support project outcomes.
• Mentor junior ecologists and contribute to team development.

Skills

Ecology/ornithology consultancy

Client-facing & engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Ecology or related field

Job description

Tetra Tech is seeking a Senior Ornithologist to join our wider high-performing ecology team, delivering technically robust and commercially aware solutions across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects throughout the UK.

Join Us in Shaping the Future

This is an opportunity to contribute to complex, high-profile work that supports the transition to clean energy and sustainable development, while developing your expertise across a varied and meaningful project portfolio.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As a Senior Ornithologist, you will manage a varied portfolio of projects, delivering work in line with UK legislation, planning policy, and ecological best practice. You will contribute to a broad range of projects across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors as well as conservation and research.

You will play a key role in producing high-quality ecological outputs, supporting project delivery - from survey and assessment through to mitigation and stakeholder engagement. Depending on experience, the role may also include line management responsibilities and mentoring members of the ecology team.

This opportunity is ideally suited to an ornithologist/ecologist who combines strong technical expertise with commercial awareness, confidence in client-facing environments, and a collaborative, solutions focused approach to project delivery.

Your Impact in This Position

You will play an important role in shaping the success of both regional and national work by contributing technical expertise, sound professional judgement, and practical solutions to complex environmental challenges. Your work will directly support the delivery of major developments across the UK, helping to maintain a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and sustainable outcomes.

Through your contribution, the team will continue to provide timely, pragmatic ecological advice, achieve successful project outcomes and strengthen long-term client relationships. You may also support the development of future ecological talent through mentoring, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within the wider team.

Core Capabilities

Technical Ecology Delivery

Deliver high quality surveys, assessments, and reporting that support planning, regulatory compliance, and informed decision-making across a diverse range of projects in Scotland and the wider UK. Apply sound ecological judgement to produce clear, pragmatic and commercially aware recommendations.

Project Management

Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring deliverables are completed on time, within budget and to a consistently high standard. Contribute to fee proposals, tender submissions, invoicing, and the effective financial management of projects.

Innovation

Adopt a forward-thinking approach to ecology, with an interest in nature-based solutions, ecological resilience, and multidisciplinary collaboration, including integration with landscape, planning and hydrology teams. Promote innovation, best practice and continuous knowledge sharing across the business.

Client Engagement

Develop and maintain strong client relationships, communicating confidently with clients, regulators and other stakeholders. Act as a trusted and knowledgeable ecological advisor, supporting successful project outcomes and long-term partnerships.

Team Development & Leadership

Support the development of junior ecologists through mentoring, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing. Where appropriate, contribute to line management responsibilities and help build a collaborative high-performing team culture.

Qualifications & Experience

Expected Training, Qualifications & Experience

• Experienced in ecological / ornithological consultancy;
• Bachelor’s degree, or above in Ecology or a closely related discipline (or comparable suite of experience);
• Understanding of the planning system and relevant environmental legislation.
• Experience designing and undertaking a range of surveys with the ability to interpret findings and deliver robust assessments.
• Experience supporting ecological mitigation strategies, including Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties.
• Full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across the UK, with overnight stays where required.

Working Environment

This role can be based across several locations across the UK. It will involve regular travel to project sites throughout the region; overnight stays will be necessary depending on project location and workload.

The position offers a varied working environment, combining office-based, site-based, and client-facing activities. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements may be available, subject to project requirements, and team needs.

Why join Tetra Tech?

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.