Senior/Principal Bat Ecologist

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Gymflex benefit

Thrive wellbeing programme

Disability confident hiring

Job summary

WSP’s Nature Services team in Scotland is expanding as licensed bat surveyors, offering flexibility to develop as generalists or specialists while working on projects across the UK. You will provide technical advice, plan surveys and mentor colleagues within a growing, diverse team.

The role supports decarbonisation and energy transition projects from windfarms to energy infrastructure upgrades, with opportunities for client liaison and development licensing work.

Qualifications

• Experience in carrying out and/or managing bat surveys across various habitat types and schemes.
• Experience in bat call analysis, data management and interpretation of field survey data.
• Experience in report writing and development licensing applications.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical advice, planning and overseeing bat surveys across a diverse range of schemes, linked to decarbonisation and energy transition.
• Acting as bat lead on schemes from windfarms to energy infrastructure upgrades.
• Overseeing surveys including generic and specialist surveys.
• Preparing tenders for a range of schemes.
• Input into EIAs, Habitats Regulations Assessments and licence applications.
• Client liaison and project management.
• Mentoring and training to the wider team.
• Contributing to innovative working methods and the national bat technical working group.

Skills

Bat survey experience

Bat call analysis

Data management

Report writing

Development licensing

Mentoring

Education

NatureScot bat licence

Job description

A little more about your role…

WSP’s Nature Services team is a large, friendly and diverse group of ecologists, bringing together generalists with bat survey and licensing experience alongside specialist bat leads. We deliver a wide range of interesting and challenging projects across the UK. As we expand our team of licensed bat surveyors in Scotland, we’re creating greater flexibility for individuals to develop as either well-rounded generalists or specialists in bat survey and assessment.

Job Description

WSP’s Nature Services team is a large, friendly and diverse group of ecologists, bringing together generalists with bat survey and licensing experience alongside specialist bat leads. We deliver a wide range of interesting and challenging projects across the UK. As we expand our team of licensed bat surveyors in Scotland, we’re creating greater flexibility for individuals to develop as either well-rounded generalists or specialists in bat survey and assessment.

The majority of our projects align with our Future Ready ethos and we are currently focussed on facilitating the energy transition with projects ranging from wind farm schemes to projects upgrading our energy infrastructure. The wide variety of projects we also input into also includes large-scale road improvement projects and flood protection schemes, and our colleagues routinely work on projects across the rest of the UK and Ireland.

The size of the team and diversity of projects means that we are able to tailor roles to the right individuals dependent on their experience, location and how much they may want to travel.

If you have a desire to grow and develop your career as a bat specialist the WSP Nature Services team is the place to do it.

Your New Role What’s Involved?

• Providing technical advice, planning and overseeing bat surveys across a diverse range of schemes, most of which are linked to decarbonisation and the energy transition.
• Acting as bat lead on schemes ranging from onshore windfarm projects to linear schemes such as hydrogen pipelines, road dualling schemes and energy infrastructure upgrades.
• Overseeing surveys including generic and more specialist surveys.
• Preparing tenders for a range of schemes relating to our diverse portfolio.
• Input into a range of deliverables including: Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Biodiversity chapters of EIAs, Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) and licence applications.
• Client liaison and project management.
• Providing mentoring and training to the wider team.
• Contributing to innovative ways of working and the national bat technical working group, where interested.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Holding a NatureScot bat licence (or significantly through working towards this).
• Experience in carrying out and/or managing (dependent on seniority) bat surveys across various habitat types and for various schemes.
• Experience in bat call analysis, data management and interpretation of field survey data.
• Experience in report writing, with level of experience dependant on seniority.
• Experience in development licensing applications.
• The ability to work well as part of a team of Nature Services professionals.
• Good working knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation pertaining to bats.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.