Senior/Principal Ecologist (Ornithology Specialism)

slihrms; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Scotland seeks a skilled ecologist with expertise in ornithology to lead bird surveys, design multi-season studies, and prepare reports for licensing and permitting. The role involves client-facing duties, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and potential mentoring of junior staff.

The successful candidate will have CIEEM membership or be working toward it, with strong knowledge of the Defra Biodiversity Metric and a track record on nationally significant infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Evidence of lead bird surveys to recognised standards.
• Range of surveys for assemblage and species-specific surveys (Scottish upland species desirable).
• Experience in survey design and data interpretation for multi-season surveys.

Responsibilities

• Lead client-facing interactions and understand clients' requirements.
• Coordinate ecological surveys and mitigate impacts.
• Author ecological reports and license applications.
• Engage with other business areas to drive cross-selling and bids in the region.
• Support mentoring and development of junior staff.

Skills

Bird surveys

Client interaction

Project management

Report writing

Mentoring

Education

Membership in CIEEM

Tools

Defra Biodiversity Metric

Schedule 1 licences

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