Principal Ecologist

Arcadis is the world’s leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

As a Principal Ecologist, you will join our team of over 50 ecologists, who have more than 30 years of experience undertaking ecological surveys and assessments, as well as the provision of advice on soil, land use, hydrological and sustainable drainage issues, arboriculture, ecosystem service, natural capital assessment, biodiversity strategies and metrics and cultural heritage. During this time, we have undertaken over 2,000 projects covering a wide range of environmental disciplines throughout the UK, in Europe and beyond, for public and private clients.

Presently, we are engaged on a variety of large and interesting projects, including Urban and Greenfield Residential Development, Highway and Rail Schemes, Power Stations, Electrical and Gas Infrastructure, and are working for a wide selection of clients based throughout the UK, including EDF Energy, Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) National Grid, the Environment Agency, Transport for London, Highways England, Network Rail, the Canal and River Trust, Housing Associations and various Local Authorities across the country. We are also involved in international work via Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessments and our Natural Capital Community of Practice.

As part of our Environmental team, you’ll help improve quality of life. With your specialism in environmental management, or your technical or sustainability expertise, your work could involve protected species, pollution, surface water and materials management, air quality or noise. And in some of the world’s busiest and most beautiful locations. We work to protect our natural environment and water resources, while powering our world for future generations. Around the world, we’re feeling the effects of climate change, rapid urbanization, loss of biodiversity. The rate at which we’re seeing large‑scale, unforeseen events such as floods and wildfires, is becoming more frequent.

As a Principal Ecologist, you will be accountable for the quality control, coordination and completion of assigned tasks and projects within the Business Unit or project team. As we operate in such a diverse marketplace, we can safely say that you will gain experience of working on a wide and varied portfolio of projects which will enhance your skills and test your technical knowledge. As a Principal Consultant, you will be responsible for leading and managing the delivery of a range of projects to meet time, budgetary and SHEQ targets, managing the ecological aspects of the client relationship so that delivery exceeds client expectations. You will take a leadership role on projects and within the team, providing both direction and technical advice and leading by example.

We will ensure that we offer personal development which will allow you to progress your career and offer you the opportunity to be mentored by industry‑recognised Technical Leaders in their field who will lend you their experience and ensure that the training you receive will give you the best possible chance of success.

Qualifications & Experience

• Detailed knowledge of ecological principles, biodiversity metrics, relevant environmental and ecological impact assessment (EcIA) legislation, policy and guidance.
• In‑depth knowledge of particular plant or animal groups and appropriate field survey skills.
• Proven track record in writing and delivering Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), writing and/or delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and Ecology Chapters for Environmental Statements which have been successfully consented.
• Proven track record in writing project and/or plan‑level Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs).
• Excellent commercial and project management skills for a range of project sizes.
• Proven experience of bid production for a range of projects and client interaction.
• Ability to line manage and potentially to lead a team.
• Hold survey and/or mitigation/conservation licences.
• Leads in the design and compliance of biosecurity and health and safety protocols.
• Chartered Environmentalist/Ecologist (or demonstrably approaching Chartered Ecologist).
• Full member of CIEEM.
• The ability to travel, when necessary.

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to their best. We believe everyone’s contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills‑based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximise the impact we can make together. You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy. Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.