Senior/Principal Ecologist

AtkinsRéalis; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced ecologist to lead on infrastructure projects in the UK, with a strong focus on bat ecology and biodiversity assessments.

You will manage field surveys, prepare ecological reports and licences, and mentor junior staff while engaging clients and supporting bids. A Chartered status or progression toward CEcol/CEnv is valued, with flexible/hybrid working options and a commitment to inclusion.

Qualifications

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent.
• Chartered status (CEcol or CEnv) or working towards it; AtkinsRéalis covers membership costs.
• Strong report-writing skills for Preliminary Ecological Assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Experience with bat impact assessments/licensing desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead on nationally important infrastructure projects with project programmes and budgets.
• Plan and undertake field surveys with a focus on bat ecology and mitigation planning.
• Author and check ecological reports and licences; manage risk in a framework environment.
• Mentor and coach staff; drive cross-disciplinary engagement and business development.
• Engage with clients, build relationships, and support bid preparation in the region.

Skills

Bat ecology

Report writing

Project management

Client interaction

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

CIEEM membership

Chartered status (CEcol/CEnv) or working towards

Full UK/EEC driving licence

Tools

Defra Biodiversity Metric

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Shape the future of our cities and environments.

Join our organisation, where we have a huge variety of projects on-the-go at any one time. So when you start this role with us, it could take your career wherever your interests lie. You’ll find everyone here is willing to pitch in and help because we all want you to succeed, and we’re ready to help you grow.

When it comes to living your life, we want you to get the most out of it. So talk to us about all our flexible and remote working policies that can support your personal priorities. Also, ask us about some of our recent pledges for Women’s Equality, as well as being a ‘Disability Confident’ and ‘Inclusive Employer.’
Our ecology team truly strives to make a positive difference to the natural environment, by working closely with other disciplines across our business to engage in projects from the outset, ensuring ecology is considered at the earliest possible stage. This collaborative working helps to drive forward nature positive schemes that we are proud of.
Our award-winning team of over 130 ecologists (including the President of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and three CIEEM Fellows) work across a range of exciting habitat creation, research, development and major infrastructure projects; we also design new innovations and help inform policy.
At AtkinsRéalis our people are the foundation of our business and that’s why we put our people first. With this in mind, we provide an incredibly flexible and inclusive working environment with staff wellbeing being front and centre of all of our decisions.
We also understand that not everyone chooses to take the university route in terms of education - we are open to taking on ecologists without a degree and we are working closely with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) to make entry into the environmental industry more inclusive for all.For us, it is the experience, knowledge and, above all, your ability to fit in well with our existing team of ecologists, that really matters.

Your role

• Client facing/client interaction – The candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of.
• clients’ requirements and be able to reach back into the business to get the support.
• required to fulfil those requirements and develop relationships/work.
• Leading on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets.
• Planning and undertaking field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results with a strong focus on bat ecology.
• Designing and co-ordinating ecological mitigation.
• Authoring and checking/reviewing a range of ecological reports and licence applications.
• Leadership – the candidate will have a leadership role managing projects, building client relationships and work bank.
• Interdisciplinary engagement – the candidate will actively seek to engage with other areas of the business, seeking opportunities to cross sell and leverage AtkinsRéalis’ capabilities, preparing bids, supporting on strategic opportunities, building client relationships (internal and external) and driving work-winning in the region.
• Candidate will actively identify, raise, manage and mitigate risks, particularly within a Project/Framework environment
• Candidate will proactively provide innovation on projects and within the ecology team.
• Candidate will coach, mentor and support other staff members in their development.
• Atkins is committed to developing the knowledge and skills of our ecologists.
• This role will have tailored mentoring and support towards achieving career goals, such as Chartership.
• Appropriate training courses external and internal will be reviewed with your mentor and Practice Manager.
  

About you

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
• (CIEEM), or equivalent, and chartership (CEcol or CEnv) or working towards this.
• AtkinsRéalis to cover membership costs.
• Strong skills in report writing, including preparing Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Chapters for Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessment (including Appropriate Assessment) Protected species survey licence(s).
• A background in complex bat impact assessments/licensing would be desirable but not essential.
• Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric.
• Demonstrable experience of undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Experience of undertaking quality assurance and technical lead roles for projects.
• Demonstrable project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects.
• Demonstrable experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, would be viewed favourably.
• A desire to contribute to the growth and development of the team.
• A full UK/EEC driving licence.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #EnviroJobs #EcjobsUK

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.