Senior/Principal Ecologist (BNG Specialist)

AtkinsRéalis; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible holidays

Professional development

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis operates as a world-class engineering and environmental team, seeking an ecologist to shape nature-positive outcomes on infrastructure and major projects across the UK. The role emphasises field surveys, habitat assessments and cross-disciplinary collaboration within a flexible, inclusive environment.

Applicants should be a CIEEM member or working towards it, with strong report writing and knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain and Defra metrics.

Qualifications

• Full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or actively working towards this.
• Strong skills in report writing for assessments and licences.
• Knowledge of UK Habitat surveys, Defra Biodiversity Metric and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Ability to undertake Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and related studies.
• Experience with Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs) preferred.
• Field botany skills; FISC level 4 preferred; driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Client facing: understand and respond to client requirements.
• Support nationally important infrastructure projects, manage programmes and budgets.
• Plan and undertake field surveys; analyse and interpret results.
• Design and coordinate ecological mitigation.
• Author and check ecological reports and licence applications.
• Engage with other disciplines and cross-sell AtkinsRéalis' capabilities.
• Provide innovation on projects within the ecology team.
• Coach/mentor other staff; mentoring towards Chartership.
• Participate in training with mentor and Practice Manager.

Skills

CIEEM Membership

Report writing

Habitat surveys

Biodiversity Net Gain

DCO familiarity

Driving licence

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Shape the future of our cities and environments.

You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We’re proud to say it’s thanks to our people’s diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge. And when you join us, you’ll be a part of this genuinely collaborative environment, where everyone’s voice is valued and treated equally. We’re passionate about what we do, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Simply put, this a great place to be. So, when it comes to your life outside of work, ask us about our flexible and remote working policies designed to help you get the most out of life.

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 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.

Flexible-across-UK

Your role

• Client facing/client interaction – The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of clients’ requirements.
• Supporting on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets.
• Planning and undertaking field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results.
• Designing and co‑ordinating ecological mitigation.
• Authoring and checking a range of ecological reports and licence applications.
• 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 proactively provide innovation on projects and within the ecology team.
• Candidate may coach, mentor and support other staff members in their development.
• 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

• Full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or actively working towards this.
• 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) and Protected species survey licence(s).
• Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric.
• A good working knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain legislation, policy and methods, the natural environment and wildlife legislation.
• The ability to undertake Biodiversity Net Gain assessments including feasibility assessments, baseline assessments and post works assessments.
• Good report writing skills including (preferably) experience of authoring Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs).
• Strong botanical skills, including (preferably) at least Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 4, or demonstrable botanical ability matching this level.
• Ideally project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects.
• 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.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

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.

Find out more.

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.