Nature Positive / Ecology Lead
Nature Positive / Ecology Lead

Nature Positive / Ecology Lead

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead ecological projects, develop biodiversity strategies, and engage with clients and regulators.
  • Company: Join Waterman Aspen, a leader in environmental consultancy, dedicated to nature-positive solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, health insurance, 25 days leave, and community volunteering days.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while growing your career in a supportive team culture.
  • Qualifications: Extensive ecological consultancy experience, strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, and leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Opportunity for professional development and mentorship, plus a paid subscription to a professional body.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

…

You’ll get all the benefits of being employed by us, while working on a variety of projects for our clients. Joining Waterman Aspen as a Nature Positive / Ecology Lead – Principal to Technical Director level will see you as a key member of the Water and Environment team and you can expect:

  • A varied client base where you can apply and develop your skills
  • Buy-in from clients to assist in your technical progression
  • Further exposure to your chosen industry – increasing your awareness, knowledge and sharpening your skills
  • The flexibility to broaden your horizons with each new secondment, without changing your employer
  • Career development and training to reach your professional or academic qualification goals supported by our own network of mentors and managers
  • Paid subscription to a professional body of your choice
  • Regular social events and volunteering opportunities
  • Experience required…

    Essential:

  • Ecology & Environmental Consultancy: Extensive experience in ecological consultancy or related fields, with a focus on protected species surveys, mitigation design, and habitat assessment.
  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): Proven track record of assessing BNG and developing and delivering BNG strategies in a variety of projects, ensuring measurable improvements.
  • Mitigation Design: Expertise in designing and implementing species mitigation plans and ecological enhancements that comply with UK legislation and planning policies.
  • UK Habitat Classification & Botanical Surveys: In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience conducting UK Habitat Classification surveys and botanical assessments.
  • River Morphology & Nutrient Neutrality: Experience leading river morphology surveys and conducting nutrient neutrality assessments to ensure projects meet environmental standards for water quality.
  • Project Management: Proven ability to manage small, medium and large-scale ecological projects, including timelines, budgets, and team coordination, while maintaining high environmental standards.
  • Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated experience working with clients, local authorities, and regulatory bodies to meet project objectives and environmental obligations.
  • Legislation & Compliance: Strong knowledge of UK and EU wildlife legislation, planning policies, and regulatory requirements.
  • Leadership & Team Management: Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with experience managing teams of ecologists, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
  • Business Development – proven track record of winning work streams via pre-positioning and developing winning bids
  • Desirable:

  • Chartered Membership: Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) or working towards chartership with a relevant body (e.g., CIEEM).
  • DEFRA Metric & Biodiversity Accounting: Experience with the DEFRA biodiversity metric and other biodiversity accounting frameworks.
  • Innovative Nature-Positive Solutions: Experience in developing innovative, nature-positive strategies that balance conservation with development goals.
  • GIS Mapping & Analysis: Proficiency in GIS and other ecological mapping and data analysis tools.
  • You’ll get this and so much more…

    As a salaried colleague, you’ll get a salary in line with your experience, skills and location along with an industry-leading benefits package:

  • Company car or car allowance
  • Contribution to commuting mileage
  • Permanent health insurance
  • 25 days annual leave (option to buy up to 5 more), in addition to the normal public holidays (based on a 40 hour week, pro rata for part-time colleagues)
  • Company pension contribution
  • Salary sacrifice to buy additional benefits
  • 1 paid Waterman Aspen in the Community Day to volunteer in your local community
  • Nature Positive / Ecology Lead employer: Waterman Aspen

    At Waterman Aspen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the West Midlands where your expertise as a Nature Positive / Ecology Lead will be valued and nurtured. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, mentorship, and the flexibility to engage in diverse projects while enjoying industry-leading benefits such as permanent health insurance and generous annual leave. Join us to make a meaningful impact in ecological consultancy while participating in a supportive culture that encourages collaboration and community involvement.
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    Contact Detail:

    Waterman Aspen Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Nature Positive / Ecology Lead

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network with professionals in the ecology and environmental sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and clients. This can help you gain insights into the company culture at Waterman Aspen and may even lead to referrals.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Familiarise yourself with the latest UK and EU wildlife legislation and planning policies. Being well-versed in these areas will not only boost your confidence during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in the field.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Showcase your leadership and team management skills by discussing past experiences where you successfully led projects or collaborated with diverse teams. Highlighting these abilities can set you apart as a candidate who can foster collaboration within the Water and Environment team.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Prepare to discuss innovative, nature-positive solutions you've developed or implemented in previous roles. This aligns with the company's goals and shows that you are proactive in finding ways to enhance biodiversity and ecological health.

    We think you need these skills to ace Nature Positive / Ecology Lead

    Ecological Consultancy
    Protected Species Surveys
    Mitigation Design
    Habitat Assessment
    Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Strategies
    Species Mitigation Plans
    UK Habitat Classification Surveys
    Botanical Assessments
    River Morphology Surveys
    Nutrient Neutrality Assessments
    Project Management
    Client Engagement
    UK and EU Wildlife Legislation
    Leadership Skills
    Team Management
    Business Development
    Chartered Ecologist (CEcol)
    DEFRA Biodiversity Metrics
    Biodiversity Accounting Frameworks
    Innovative Nature-Positive Solutions
    GIS Proficiency
    Ecological Data Analysis

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in ecological consultancy, particularly focusing on protected species surveys and habitat assessments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to develop Biodiversity Net Gain strategies.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for ecology and how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Nature Positive / Ecology Lead role. Mention your leadership experience and business development skills, as these are key for this position.

    Showcase Relevant Projects: Include details of specific projects you've managed that relate to the job description. Highlight your experience with UK Habitat Classification surveys and any innovative, nature-positive solutions you've developed.

    Highlight Professional Development: Mention any ongoing professional development, such as working towards chartership or participation in relevant training. This shows your commitment to growth in the field and aligns with the company's focus on career development.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Waterman Aspen

    ✨Showcase Your Ecological Expertise

    Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in ecological consultancy during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, particularly those involving protected species surveys and habitat assessments, as this will demonstrate your technical knowledge and suitability for the role.

    ✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

    As a Nature Positive / Ecology Lead, you'll need strong leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, focusing on collaboration and achieving environmental objectives. This will show that you can foster a productive team environment.

    ✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Legislation

    Brush up on UK and EU wildlife legislation and planning policies before your interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're committed to staying informed about industry standards.

    ✨Prepare for Business Development Questions

    Since business development is a key aspect of the role, be ready to talk about your experience in winning work streams and developing bids. Think of specific examples where you've successfully engaged clients or authorities, as this will illustrate your ability to contribute to the company's growth.

    Nature Positive / Ecology Lead
    Waterman Aspen
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