Principal Ecologist (Tetra Tech)

Tetra Tech is seeking a Principal Ecologist to join our Planning & Environmental team in Belfast, providing ecological leadership across a diverse portfolio of projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

This is an opportunity for an experienced ecologist to take a senior role within a supportive multidisciplinary team, working across significant infrastructure, renewable energy, marine, coastal and regeneration projects. You will help shape ecological strategies from early feasibility through planning and delivery, ensuring ecological considerations are integrated effectively into project design and decision-making.

As Principal Ecologist, you will lead and oversee ecological inputs across complex projects, providing technical direction and quality assurance. You will author, review and approve high-level technical outputs, including Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments and ecology chapters for Environmental Statements, ensuring work is scientifically robust, proportionate and aligned with current legislation and best practice.

You will also work directly with clients, helping them understand ecological risks, opportunities and regulatory requirements. This will include developing survey strategies, advising on mitigation and licensing requirements and engaging with statutory consultees and other stakeholders to help achieve positive outcomes for both projects and the environment.

We are looking for someone with strong ecological expertise and significant experience delivering and overseeing ecological work on complex projects. You will have a detailed understanding of UK environmental legislation, planning frameworks, protected species legislation, habitat classification and mitigation design, alongside the confidence to provide robust technical advice.

Experience of the Biodiversity Metric and Biodiversity Net Gain is important, as is the ability to develop practical, nature-positive solutions. You should also be familiar with protected species licensing and ideally hold at least one protected species licence, with bat or great crested newt licences particularly desirable.

Alongside your technical responsibilities, you will provide leadership and mentoring to junior and mid-career ecologists, helping to develop technical capability and supporting a collaborative, high-performing team. You will also contribute to business development and the continued growth of Tetra Tech’s ecology offering across the UK and Ireland.

You will have strong project management and commercial skills, with the ability to manage project programmes, resources, finances and multidisciplinary inputs while maintaining high standards of technical quality and client service.

You will hold a degree in ecology or a related environmental discipline and be a full member of CIEEM or operating at an equivalent senior level. A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel are required. FISC Level 4 would be advantageous but is not essential.

The role is based in our Belfast office and supports hybrid working, with an expectation of approximately 2-3 days per week in the office to support collaboration, mentoring and team coordination. Flexible working arrangements can also be accommodated where project responsibilities allow.

Join Tetra Tech and play a leading role in delivering high-quality ecological solutions, developing the next generation of ecologists and contributing to significant projects across the UK and Ireland.

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