Senior Ornithologist

SLR CONSULTING; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global sustainability consultancy in the UK is seeking a Senior Ornithologist to manage ornithological projects and provide specialist technical advice. This role involves leading surveys, producing reports, and supporting tender delivery within a collaborative team. Candidates should have a degree in Ecology or a related field, along with strong bird identification skills and project management expertise. With a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working options, this position offers excellent advancement opportunities.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible working hours

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Professional experience within ornithological consulting is highly desired.
• Understanding of scientific data collection methods.
• Demonstrable understanding of UK wildlife legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage ornithological aspects of projects and provide technical advice.
• Lead on ornithology surveys and produce technical reports.
• Support in delivery of tenders and supervision of junior staff.

Skills

Bird identification skills

Ornithology survey techniques

Project management competence

Communication and report writing

Education

Degree in Ecology or Biological Science

MSc (desirable)

Job description

Overview

SLR are looking for a Senior Ornithologist to join our highly successful and expanding ecology team. You will play a lead role in delivering a range of projects across our business sectors, mainly to assist our growing portfolio of renewable energy projects in the UK. The role will involve managing survey work across a wide range of sites, as well as data analysis, report writing, tendering and project management. This role presents an exciting opportunity to be responsible for the delivery of ornithology inputs to a number of large and complex projects.

The role

• Management and delivery of ornithological aspects of projects, and providing clients, colleagues and consultees with specialist technical advice.
• Leading on ornithology surveys, following a range of survey methodologies and techniques.
• Production of technical reports, including scoping reports and EIA chapters, including data analysis and presentation.
• Support in the delivery of tenders, including production of technical proposals, determining budgets, arranging sub-contract quotes and contract review.
• Supervision and mentoring of junior ornithology staff. Depending on skills and experience, the role may also include staff management.
• Liaising with other SLR technical teams on a variety of subjects including ecology, planning, landscape, and hydrology, whilst working closely with senior members of the ecology team in other SLR offices.

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

We are open to offering this role at a range of seniorities, from Senior Field to Associate Consultant level, but would ideally like professional experience within ornithological consulting, as well as:

• A degree in Ecology, Biological Science or equivalent (MSc desirable) plus appropriate level of membership of CIEEM or equivalent.
• A passion for ornithology demonstrated by excellent bird identification skills and experience in a range of ornithology survey techniques (e.g. vantage points, moorland breeding birds, raptors).
• An understanding of scientific data collection methods and an aptitude for accurate and clear recording and storage of data.
• Demonstrable competence in project management, planning work in line with health and safety procedures, budget management, and liaison with clients, subcontractors and stakeholders.
• Good theoretical grounding in ecology, survey guidance and environmental assessment.
• Demonstrable understanding of UK wildlife legislation and the conservation status of UK bird species.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.

If you are interested, and hold a full UK driving licence, we would love to hear from you.

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.

• SLR Commitment – All applicants with a disability who meet the essential requirements for the job will be guaranteed an interview in line with our Disability Confident Committed status