At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ecological projects, conduct assessments, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Company: BDP is a dynamic collective of architects, engineers, and designers focused on sustainable design.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, mentoring, and wellness activities like yoga and hiking.
- Why this job: Join a leading firm in ecology, making a real impact on biodiversity and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Must have a formal ecology qualification and relevant survey licenses; strong botanical skills required.
- Other info: Participate in social events and employee forums to share ideas and foster community.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Details
Senior Ecologist
Vacancy type Current vacancies Profession Sustainability Location London Description
With a growing portfolio of work, we are seeking an experienced ecologist to join BDP\’s London sustainability team. This is an exciting new role which will see you lead on projects across the south region, supporting and working closely with our existing ecologist in the north.
The London studio is our largest studio with a multidisciplinary community of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. The studio has a stimulating range of work, including education, healthcare, science and research, retail, workplace, heritage, and urbanism projects. This role will be pivotal in raising BDP\’s profile as a leader in ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), delivering commercially balanced, innovative and integrated solutions to our diverse range of interesting projects.
Key responsibilities:
Plan and undertaking a variety of ecological assessments, in particular preliminary ecological appraisals, UK Hab assessments and protected species surveys
Work with the statutory biodiversity metric calculation tool, producing habitat management and monitoring plans and completing biodiversity gain plans
Work closely with our landscape architects to ensure proposals meet BNG requirements and deliver on wider green infrastructure ambitions
Liaise with other disciplines (sustainability, acoustics, lighting, etc.) as part of the design process to provide robust and meaningful solutions for biodiversity
Author technical reports required for projects, including planning submissions and planning condition discharge
Managing sub consultants, organising surveys and reviewing their reports
Assisting in the preparation of fee proposals, marketing materials and ecological requirements within tenders
Participating in knowledge share sessions with the team, to ensure continuous improvement of our industry knowledge and integrating this across our projects.
About you
A formal qualification in ecology or directly related subject
A full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (or associate member working towards full membership)
Hold at least a Level 1 Class License for bat, with other survey licences welcomed
Strong botanical identification skills
Competent in the use of QGIS
Knowledge of UK environmental policy and legislation, relevant wildlife legislation and ecological survey methodologies, and applying relevant guidance for surveys
Experience in contributing to biodiversity net gain calculations and/or reporting
Exemplary written and spoken English, with experience of technical report writing
Capability to conduct regular fieldwork.
About us:
BDP is a continuous collective of architects, engineers, designers and urbanists. We design at every scale from city masterplans, neighbourhoods, parks, streets and buildings to specialist, bespoke light and acoustic installations. We are placemakers who work at every stage of the design process from visioning to briefing to design, delivery and operation. We respond to the demands of our dynamic and ever changing planet with cross-discipline design thinking that spans all of life\’s activities, protects the environment and enhances social value.
Harnessing our collective ethos, the spirit of BDP is about making places for people. Our structure and governance as a global network of federated city studios creates design hubs that are connected to the cities, regions and communities they serve. As part of the Nippon Koei Group, we fuse our passion for architecture and engineering with user-centred design and large-scale infrastructure projects to deliver world class solutions for better, more prosperous places.
As part of the larger organisation, the Sustainability Group provides a wide range of services across building design to both internal and external clients. Our current suite of services includes (but is not limited to):
Thought leadership, research and development
Well-being consultancy
Whole Life / Net Zero Carbon consultancy
Environmental assessments, including BREEAM, LEED and WELL
Ecological assessment and consultancy
Post-occupancy evaluation and building optimisation
Knowledge sharing and training
Environmental / Energy management system support
Group objectives:
To evolve and expand the knowledge of the organisation, raising the company\’s profile for delivering consistently environmentally conscious places and buildings
To ensure that the company develops and expands its environmental and sustainability services internally and externally, working to influence design proposals and raise design quality
To become accepted as a resource for sustainable design advocacy and creativity, working closely with different teams to provide low impact, healthy and value added design solutions
To work with the studios, profession heads and board of directors to ensure the sustainability agenda is communicated effectively throughout the practice
To work to reduce the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations in line with our ISO 14001 and 50001 certification.
To be regarded as a thought leader for aspects of the sustainability agenda
BDP offers
In return, BDP can offer you a wide range of learning opportunities to encourage personal and professional career development. From sponsorship to profession-led events, we also offer annual appraisals and a mentoring program which is supported by our online internal learning platform.
We are committed to being an employer of choice and offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package as well as interesting work, a rewarding and friendly environment, excellent office space, and a respect for the work-life balance of our people through hybrid working. All permanent employees can participate in BDP\’s stakeholder pension arrangement to which the company contributes, the BDP Profit Share Scheme and tax-efficient Smart Benefits, Life Insurance, Long Term Sickness Insurance, Private Medical insurance and health screening, interest-free season ticket loans and enhanced maternity and paternity provision, plus many more.
We offer regular international and studio-based social, sporting, and charitable activities. Some recent events include themed month-end socials, a hiking club, weekly complimentary yoga, wellbeing webinars, and toolbox talks. Our variety of employee forums drives the development of new ideas, giving everyone the platform to have a voice and be heard. To find out in more detail about what BDP can offer you, please follow:
Senior Ecologist employer: Building Design Partnership
Contact Detail:
Building Design Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Ecologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the ecology and sustainability sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with people who work at BDP or similar firms. This can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with BDP's recent projects and initiatives related to biodiversity and sustainability. Being able to discuss specific examples during interviews will demonstrate your genuine interest in their work and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your technical skills relevant to the role, such as QGIS proficiency and ecological assessment methodologies. Consider preparing a portfolio of past projects or reports that highlight your experience and expertise in these areas.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with BDP on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Follow their updates, comment on their posts, and share relevant content. This not only keeps you informed but also helps you build a presence within the company’s community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Ecologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in ecology and sustainability. Emphasise your qualifications, such as your membership with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, and any specific ecological assessments you've conducted.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for ecology and your understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with BDP's work and values, demonstrating how you can contribute to their team.
Highlight Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to mention your proficiency in QGIS and your strong botanical identification skills. These technical abilities are crucial for the role and should be clearly outlined in both your CV and cover letter.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires exemplary written and spoken English, include examples of your technical report writing experience. This could be in the form of a brief description of reports you've authored or contributed to, highlighting your ability to communicate complex ecological information effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Building Design Partnership
✨Know Your Ecology
Make sure you brush up on your ecological knowledge, especially regarding UK environmental policy and legislation. Be prepared to discuss your experience with biodiversity net gain calculations and how you've applied relevant guidance in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Highlight your proficiency in QGIS and any other relevant software during the interview. Be ready to provide examples of how you've used these tools in your previous work, particularly in conducting ecological assessments or managing surveys.
✨Prepare for Technical Report Writing
Since exemplary written English is crucial for this role, practice discussing your experience with technical report writing. Bring along samples if possible, and be ready to explain how you ensure clarity and precision in your documentation.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
This position involves working closely with landscape architects and other disciplines. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in multidisciplinary teams, focusing on how you contributed to achieving common goals in sustainability and ecology.