Senior Ecologist / HRA Specialist

Arup; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Arup is seeking an experienced ecologist with strong Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) expertise to join our ecology team in the United States. You will lead and support HRA work across infrastructure, development, and planning projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver robust, practical solutions.

You will help clients navigate a challenging regulatory landscape, applying ecological evidence to planning decisions and contributing to SEA, EIA and emerging Environmental

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or related discipline.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership (Desirable).
• Strong experience preparing and reviewing HRA documentation.
• Excellent understanding of the Habitats Regulations and associated guidance.
• Experience applying ecological evidence to planning and consenting decisions.
• Knowledge of wider environmental assessment processes, including SEA, EIA and emerging Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs).

Responsibilities

• Lead and support HRA work across infrastructure, development and strategic planning projects.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver technically robust and practical solutions.
• Manage HRA documentation and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support clients navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

Skills

HRA expertise

Ecology

Regulatory planning

Environmental policy

Client collaboration

Education

Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science

Chartered status (Desirable)

Job description

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced ecologist with strong Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) expertise to join our growing ecology team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex environmental problems, working at the interface of ecology, planning and policy, and helping clients navigate an increasingly challenging regulatory landscape. You will lead and support HRA work across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure, development and strategic planning projects, working with multidisciplinary teams to deliver technically robust and practical solutions. The role offers opportunities to work on projects ranging from individual development proposals through to local plans, regional strategies and nationally significant infrastructure projects. At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share, and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership (Desirable)
• Strong experience preparing and reviewing HRA documentation.
• Excellent understanding of the Habitats Regulations and associated guidance.
• Experience applying ecological evidence to planning and consenting decisions.
• Knowledge of wider environmental assessment processes, including SEA, EIA and emerging Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs).

What we offer you

• Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success.
• As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
• Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
• Arup offers a hybrid working model and flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover.
• Access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you're pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Eni Makobe at ##### to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.