Ecologist | Stoke, Leeds & London

Overview

£30k-45k

Wardell Armstrong LLP is a medium-sized consultancy, large enough to have strength in depth with many experienced specialists working seamlessly together, but also small enough to be sure of giving close personal attention to both our clients and our staff. We value our people who are at heart of our business and are committed to helping our people achieve their ambitions and rewarding them on how they help develop, grow, and shape the business and how they interact with and support colleagues, clients, partners, regulators, and the public. With 13 offices throughout the UK and employing 500 staff we have a great family friendly culture which offers flexibility to work part time and hybrid home/office working.

The Opportunity:

The opportunity is to manage a range of existing projects, and to enhance the technical capabilities of the team.  You will be delivering high quality free thinking advice on a variety of projects across the UK working closely with our other environmental specialists in planning, arboriculture, acoustics, air quality and landscape design.

Responsibilities:

In this exciting role you will:

• Leading and undertaking ecological field surveys and the analysis and interpretation of survey results.
• Producing preliminary ecological appraisals, survey reports, licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments and other similar documents.
• Devise and Implement mitigation strategies and habitat management opportunities.
• Provide technical input and support to internal offices and clients.
• Mentor junior team members.
• Take responsibility for managing projects including resource allocation, managing subcontractors, managing risk, quality assurance, and client feedback.
• Developing emerging workstreams such as Biodiversity Net Gain
• Preparation of fee proposals and assist in the development of new business areas.

You:

As the successful candidate you will:

• Be qualified to degree level or equivalent in ecology or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in Ecology.
• Hold or be working towards protected species survey licences and also have some experience of protected species Mitigation Licensing.
• Be an Associate or Full member of CIEEM or other relevant institute.
• Have a full understanding of habitat survey and a broad knowledge of protected species survey.
• Be comfortable writing of Ecological Impact Assessment reports and understanding of CIEEM methodology.
• Have competent GIS skills, full understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain assessment and use of typical metric calculators.
• Have experience of managing ecology projects to completion.
• Have a proven track record of mentoring and managing junior staff.
• Be self-motivated with strong communication skills, be able to work as part of a team.
• Have excellent report writing skills.

Applicants must be flexible over travel and hours, particularly during the relevant survey periods and be prepared to work away from home as projects require.  Due to the nature of the work a full driving licence and access to a car is required.

Career Progression:

We offer excellent career prospects in a supportive working environment with no restrictions on how far you can progress. We encourage all of our employees to contribute to their professional institution

Amongst other benefits, WA also provide a bespoke training and mentoring programme for all grades, tailored to suit an individual’s needs. Training is provided internally as well as from external sources where needed. We will support staff in gaining the necessary experience and references with regard to protected species survey licences.

We offer:

• Toil + additional pay for unsocial hours (10pm – 6am)
• Hybrid home/office working arrangement
• Membership of the Firm’s Group Personal Pension Plan, with Employer’s contribution of up to 5%
• Payment of a relevant professional subscription (i.e. CIEEM)
• 24 days annual leave per year – option to purchase additional leave
• Membership to the Firm’s Private Health Care Scheme
• Inclusion in the Firm’s Critical Illness Cover Policy
• Inclusion in the Firm’s Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 3 times your annual salary
• Mobile Phone with inclusive tariff including personal usage
• Flexi-Time Working Schedule
• Long service awards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Travel Loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Recruitment Bounty Scheme
• A structured training and mentoring process

To apply via our website or if you would like to arrange an informal chat please email janine.davies@wardell-armstrong.com in the first instance.

There is no specific closing date, the position will remain open until suitable candidates identified therefore please apply at the earliest opportunity.