Senior/Principal Ecologist (Ornithology Specialism)

AtkinsRéalis; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced ecologist to lead ornithological surveys, design fieldwork, and coordinate mitigation for major infrastructure projects. You’ll work across the ecology team, preparing reports, licences, and biodiversity chapters while engaging with clients and other disciplines to drive successful outcomes.

We value Chartered membership (or active progression toward it), strong report writing, and practical knowledge of UK habitat surveys.

Qualifications

• Lead bird surveys per CIEEM Competency Framework.
• Experience with ornithological surveys and multi-season datasets.
• Full Membership of CIEEM or actively working towards this.
• Experience with UK Habitat surveys and the Defra Biodiversity Metric.
• Willingness to travel across the UK and hold a driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Client facing interactions – understand clients’ requirements.
• Support on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing programmes and budgets.
• Plan and undertake field surveys; analyse survey results.
• Design and coordinate ecological mitigation.
• Author and check ecological reports and licence applications.
• Engage with other areas to cross-sell capabilities and support bids.
• Mentor and support other staff; contribute to career development.
• Mentoring toward Chartership and tailored training with the Practice Manager.

Skills

Bird survey expertise

CIEEM competency

Report writing

Field surveys planning

Interdisciplinary collaboration

CIEEM membership

Project coordination

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 160 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 foster innovation 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 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

• Skilled ornithological surveyor including demonstrable competency and proven experience to capable level in line with CIEEM’s Competency Framework to lead bird surveys.
• Range of experience across surveys for both assemblage and species-specific surveys with a focus on Scottish/upland species desirable.
• Experience in survey design and data interpretation for multi‑season ornithological surveys. Experience of territory and collision risk analysis is desirable.
• The experience and ability to hold or have held Schedule 1 survey licences is strongly desirable. Demonstrable experience of working as an assistant or agent on a Schedule 1 licence will also be looked upon favourably.
• Ability and willingness to coordinate and lead other protected species surveys and production of deliverables in line with relevant good practice guidance.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability and willingness to travel for to site across Scotland, including 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. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #EnviroJobs | #EcjobsUK #LI-UKI

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.