Principal Habitats Regulations Assessment Specialists in Cambridge

Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we are delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

Join our dynamic Nature team as a Principal Ecologist (or Principal HRA specialist) in our Basingstoke, Birmingham, Croydon, Cambridge, Nottingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, or Bristol offices (though other locations may be considered), and benefit through our flexible hybrid working model. At AECOM, we’re at the forefront of innovation, delivering an exceptional portfolio of Ecology programs and projects through long-term partnerships with key clients. In particular, AECOM has a large and growing business within the field of Habitats Regulations Assessment.

Presently, we are working on a wide range of projects, including:

• Major infrastructure projects for the water industry
• Renewable energy such as solar farms (including several of the largest solar farms to have gained consent in the UK)
• Coastal defences
• Electricity transmission network reinforcement
• Recreational infrastructure HRAs for many local authority Local Plans, Minerals and Waste Plans, and Local Transport Plans

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Support development of technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex HRA issues
• Lead and support delivery of high-quality HRA consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients, including through our check and review processes
• Lead and support production of HRA reports for Local Plans and Development Consent Orders, across the UK and Republic of Ireland and potentially elsewhere in Europe (note this is a predominantly desk-based role but some travel opportunities are available)
• Lead on (or develop your knowledge with a view to leading on) interpretation of noise, water quality, and air quality data within an HRA context
• Author or technically check project deliverables to ensure high quality outputs
• Deliver, or assist in delivering, expert witness services on Local Plan HRAs and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project Examinations
• Lead and support the preparation of high quality and commercially astute bids and tenders for HRA services, notably in the energy, defence, local authority strategic planning, and water sectors
• Oversee plan, schedule and organise all phases of HRA project work, ensuring necessary resources, budgets and controls are in place to meet both programme and budget requirements. This will include direct client contact.

This role presents a great opportunity to utilise and enhance your HRA skills, to improve your advocacy and expert witness skills (or to develop them if you have no existing experience of expert witness) and to develop your familiarity of the intersection between HRA, ecology and other disciplines such as recreational studies, air quality assessments and noise modelling. Although the work will be principally focussed on HRA, opportunities will exist to undertake, and develop skills in, other work areas including ecological survey and Environmental Impact Assessment.

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, which boasts around 230 professional experts including national and global leaders located across the UK&I, from species licence holders to experts in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement and management. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.

And let’s not forget about the perks at AECOM. You’ll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Experience of leading and managing HRA work, as demonstrated by suitable professional experience; Experience in work-winning, managing projects, project budgets and leading stakeholder discussions; Experience of reviewing technical work and supporting wider team members; Membership of an appropriate professional institution and evidence of working towards Chartership (such as CIEEM or related). A full driving licence and willingness to visit other locations or client premises on company business.

Please note that while experienced ecologists who also have HRA expertise are very welcome to apply, AECOM is also willing to consider experienced environmental professionals in other disciplines who have considerable HRA knowledge and experience. We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities.

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

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