Principal / Associate Ecologist

Job description

Overview of the role

Mott MacDonald are leading the way in Nature Services and we are looking for people to join our Ecology Team and to play their part in integrating nature into all developments so that together with our clients we can build a better future. We pride ourselves on setting and maintaining high standards and are at the forefront of providing ecological advice. Our team has written guidance and delivered training on BNG and contributed to CIEEM’s raising standards documents.

We’ve developed innovative tools to more robustly and efficiently collect and manage ecological data to enable our team to focus on really making a difference. We’ve provided detailed biodiversity advice to improve NHS hospitals for people and the planet, we’re delivering Nature-based solutions for water treatment and flood management and we’re over-seeing the production of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. We have a large portfolio of projects and a healthy forward-order book bringing with it fantastic opportunities for Ecologists at all levels.

Our Southampton Office is well situated close to the train station and the team consists of 11 members from Graduate to Senior Associate Level. We also work very closely with the rest of the Ecology Team. Across the team we have a wide range of skills and licences. Joining our team at Principal/Associate Ecologist level you will likely spend the majority of your time office-based but may still get involved in some site work, especially in your area of technical expertise. Although you will be a member of the Southampton ecology team, you will also be connected to a much larger team of ecologists. There are excellent opportunities to progress your career through promotion, as well as develop a key role within our ecology team. The role will suit a dynamic, proactive team-player who wants to work in a growth area of the business and help support the delivery of ecology services in a fast-moving, client-focused, commercial environment.

You will have responsibility for staff wellbeing, mentoring, and career development for the Southampton Ecology Team and will line manage some of the team members. You will work with the Regional Lead, Area Leader and UK Ecology Team Leader to manage utilisation, the appointment of people for specific roles, training and recruitment needs. You will hold regular operational team briefings/meetings for effective team management and communications.

The projects you will be working on can span all stages of a project’s life cycle, from design conception to implementation; giving opportunities to positively influence scheme design, and enhancements and promote best practice.

Candidate specification

Essential:

• A degree in Ecology (or a directly related subject). An additional higher degree would be an advantage
• Experience in Ecological Consultancy (or equivalent with transferable skills)
• A Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent. Must be a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Biologist (or able to achieve this within 6 months)
• Ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams, clients and regulators. · Proficiency in report writing skills and a track record in acting as a checker / reviewer for ecological deliverables
• Technical specialism e.g. has held protected species mitigation licences or has advanced botanical skills etc

Desirable:

• Experience of People Management
• Proven Project Management skills
• Experience of preparing costs and text for bids
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK