Principal / Associate Ecologist

To meet our growing project workload and help us design and apply new approaches to our work, we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Principal or Associate Ecologist to join our Manchester office and become a part of the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland Ecology Practice. At AtkinsRéalis, our team of over 140 ecologists work throughout the UK to deliver a diverse range of challenging and exciting award-winning projects that benefit our clients, biodiversity and society. Our ecology team won the inaugural CIEEM Large-Scale Consultancy of the Year Award in 2018 and has been Highly Commended in the same award category each year thereafter. We are proud to promote innovative nature-based solutions across a range of market sectors; collaborating with clients to positively contribute to the carbon net zero agenda and biodiversity and climate emergencies. We are particularly passionate about the implementation of biodiversity net gain on our projects and have placed ourselves at the forefront of this approach. We positively encourage pushing boundaries, promoting innovation, knowledge sharing and working inclusively across our diverse team. We are fully committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We want everyone to feel respected, empowered and able to realise their full potential as important members of our team. Flexible working is a core part of our culture at AtkinsRéalis and we appreciate that different people have different priorities. We recognise that a healthy work/life balance is integral to wellbeing and we are extremely supportive of individual requirements for flexible working.

The ideal candidate would be looking to work in a hybrid manner, based out of the AtkinsRéalis Manchester office. Joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant and high-profile projects, with many of our projects winning awards for biodiversity enhancements, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

What you will be doing:

• Leading on nationally important infrastructure projects, managing project programmes and budgets.
• Collaborating with our multi-disciplinary teams and undertaking stakeholder engagement.
• Planning and undertaking field surveys; analysing and interpreting survey results.
• Designing and co-ordinating ecological mitigation.
• Authoring and checking/reviewing a range of ecological reports and licence applications.
• Providing support and mentorship to other team members, particularly early careers staff.
• Managing work enquiries, preparing bids and building client relationships.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with team, colleagues, clients and external bodies.
• Supporting the development of a portfolio of ecological work in the Northern region, by building a network with both internal and external clients within the Northern England region and UK-wide.

About you:

Ideally, you would have the following qualifications/experience:

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent, and chartership (CEcol or CEnv). AtkinsRéalis to cover membership costs.
• A degree in ecology or a closely related field (desirable but not essential).
• Demonstrable project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects.
• Strong botanical skills, including Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 4+, or demonstrable botanical ability matching this level.
• Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric.
• Demonstrable experience of undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Strong skills in report writing, including preparing Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Chapters for Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessment (including Appropriate Assessment).
• Experience of undertaking quality assurance and technical lead roles for projects.
• Demonstrable experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, including expert witness, would be viewed favourably.
• Protected species survey licence(s).
• A full, clean UK driving licence.

What we offer:

AtkinsRéalis recognise that there are many well qualified people who are looking to further their career, but who cannot commit to full time employment. We support flexible working arrangements and are interested to discuss how we can accommodate individual requirements. As part of this commitment, we understand the need for a diverse and flexible workforce, where a work-life balance is important. So, by default AtkinsRéalis offers flexible working, where there is no fixed 9 ‘till 5, no need for a 5-day week, no requirement for a full-time contract, and no requirement to spend all your working time in the office.

Rewards and Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary that is regularly tested against other consultants with a default 25-days leave each year plus bank holidays and options to buy some or sell of that leave. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Training:

AtkinsRéalis is committed to developing its people both personally and professionally. Our colleagues have the advantage of access to a high ranging training portfolio and development activities designed to help make the best of individual’s abilities and talents. We also actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions.

Additional Information:

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.