Senior to Principal Ecologist

Are you an experienced ecologist looking for the next step up in your career? Are you looking to increase your exposure to complex and rewarding projects? Do you want to join an established consultancy practice who pride themselves in offering a great place to work? Could you be one of the experienced, talented and energetic professionals helping to continue the development of FPCR, responding to our clients and keeping FPCR moving forwards whilst responding to new challenges in ecological practice?

If so, our Sheffield office is currently looking for an enthusiastic Senior or Principal Ecologist to join its growing team and would love to hear from you.

You will be an integral member of our ecology team, leading and delivering high quality work and assessments for a range of clients and on a range of projects, collaborating with our talented team of ecologists, landscape architects and environmental planners. You will be:

1. Managing projects throughout their life-cycle prior to and post-planning, providing advice on ecology and biodiversity to clients, stakeholders and project teams;
2. Planning, leading on and conducting ecological surveys;
3. Undertaking environmental impact assessments, biodiversity net gain assessments and preparing a range of ecological reports and strategies;
4. Designing and implementing appropriate mitigation measures to enhance biodiversity and protect ecological features;
5. Supporting and mentoring junior staff, sharing your own knowledge and expertise to develop their skills and knowledge and professional judgement;
6. Building and maintaining strong client relationships, as well as with contractors and regulatory bodies.

About you

To qualify for this role, you should possess:

1. Degree level or higher in Ecology or related field;
2. At least 4-5 years working in ecological consultancy, with proven experience in project management, including for medium to large scale and more complex sites, liaising with clients and wider project consultants to deliver outputs efficiently and on time;
3. Experienced in advising clients on Biodiversity Net Gain; understanding and use of the DEFRA Statutory Biodiversity Metric and production of associated reports and plans;
4. Demonstrable experience in complex report writing, inclusive but not limited to Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) reports, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), including for Environmental Statements; Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) documents, Species and Habitat Management Plans;
5. Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders;
6. An advanced knowledge of ecology and wildlife protection in the context of the UK legislative and planning system;
7. You may have a particular ecological specialism or hold protected species licence/s, although your all-round skills and knowledge are also valuable;
8. A level of competency in Microsoft Office software and preferably (although not essential) some knowledge of GIS packages;
9. Membership or eligibility to membership of a relevant professional body (eg Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or other similar);
10. A full UK driving licence and access to vehicle.

Why FPCR?

FPCR Environment and Design Ltd is one of the UK\’s leading integrated design practices working extensively throughout the UK. Over the last 60 years the practice has developed a valuable mix of multi-disciplinary expertise in masterplanning, environmental assessment, urban design, landscape, ecology, architecture, arboriculture and green infrastructure. Working together, we have implemented many award-winning schemes in environmentally sensitive locations.

At the start of 2021 FPCR became an Employee-Owned business. Our people and culture are vital to the service we provide, and we feel this is the best way forward for the future of the practice. Employee Ownership will enable the whole team to share in the future growth and success of the business, whilst the practice can remain responsive, independent, and adaptable.

Our ecology team is led by four directors who each joined the company in junior positions and are committed to providing the same supportive and fostering environment that is at the heart of our practice.

Our team of over 120 ecologists work out of five offices across the UK.

What you can expect in return:

Salary: Senior Ecologist £32-36K; Principal Ecologist £39-£45k+ dependent on experience. Our employees really are our greatest asset, representing a wide range of skills and experience from across the field of UK ecology. We are proud to offer our staff at all levels the opportunity to pursue their individual interests as this helps us to facilitate shared learning across our practice.

We are offering a competitive salary with the opportunity for annual bonuses, enrolment on our pension scheme and 25 days holiday, compressed working week and a holiday purchase system. Everyone is enrolled in a BUPA health and wellbeing cashback scheme. Staff well-being is very important to us, and the teams frequently have a range of volunteering and social activities going on.

FPCR is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their race or gender.

If you feel you are the right candidate, or feel you can offer FPCR\’s ecology team other relevant experience and skills, please submit your CV along with a covering letter, together with any supporting documentation that you feel may be of interest.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

ABOUT FPCR

Established in 1957, FPCR are an award winning multi-disciplinary environment and design practice with expertise in Landscape, Urban Design, Masterplanning, Architecture, Ecology and Arboriculture. We believe our diverse range of skills provide clients with an excellent rounded approach to projects while concurrently providing our staff with a dynamic and diverse place to work.

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