Ecologist/Botanist in Newcastle upon Tyne

SLR has an excellent opportunity for botanists to join our Ecology and Biodiversity team in the UK. Ideally, the candidate will have Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) Level 4 and above certification or consider themselves able to obtain this level if undertaking a FISC test. Opportunities are available across multiple grades, from experienced field botanists to technical leads. The role can be located across any of our offices throughout the UK.

You will play a lead role in undertaking, contributing and delivering high quality habitat surveys, botanical assessments, and subsequent reporting across a range of projects and sectors, particularly including Power, Mining and Minerals and Built Environment. This role presents an exciting opportunity to be responsible for the delivery of ecology inputs to large and complex projects, which now represent an increasingly large proportion of our work.

While the advert focuses on botanical expertise, we do not pigeonhole our ecologists. If you hold additional ecological skills, whether in protected species, ornithology, habitat regulations assessment etc – we actively encourage you to continue developing and utilising those competencies and we will ensure the range of work and training available to you enables you to do so. We believe strong botanists often bring broader ecological insight, and we are committed to:

• Supporting multidisciplinary skill development
• Providing opportunities to diversify your project portfolio
• Encouraging CPD and progression into specialist or leadership roles
• To follow career pathways that reflect your full expertise, not just one specialist if that is your preference.

With a structured career framework putting staff in charge of their own progression and a team of over 200 permanent ecologists, SLR Consulting leads the way in providing exemplar ecological advice and services. We have a real passion for what we do and due to continued commercial success and a very healthy work pipeline for several years ahead, we have fantastic opportunities for an experienced botanist to become part of the SLR team.

The role duties will be varied but will include:

• Undertake detailed botanical surveys including UKHab, NVC, baseline ecological walkover surveys, specialist habitat assessments and botanical surveys
• Shape and deliver habitat creation projects, providing botanical expertise to ensure ecological integrity and long‑term sustainability
• Record and manage survey data to a high professional standard using our dedicated in‑house data recording apps and equipment
• Contribute to technical reports, habitat condition assessments, management plans and habitat creation documents
• Provide botanical expertise to multidisciplinary project teams
• Mentor junior ecologists and provide training to National team where required

You will be expected to liaise with other SLR technical teams on a variety of subjects including planning, landscape, hydrology, noise and air quality whilst working closely with senior members of the team. The key aspect of the role will be the management and delivery of ecology inputs to a range of potentially large and complex projects across our business sectors. Liaise with clients, stakeholders and regulatory bodies as required.

Depending on skills and experience, and the specific goals of the successful candidate, the role may also include staff management. The role will involve working with other team members located across the UK and may require short‑term travel across the UK and potentially overseas, depending on client/project sites.

About us: SLR are global leaders in Sustainability Solutions, helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with 4000+ employees across 6 regions in over 125 countries. Our ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. Alongside 25 days annual leave, with additional flexible bank holidays, we offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, with family friendly policies to help balance the needs of professional and home life. We are committed to our team developing their skills and we will provide training, mentoring and shadowing opportunities to allow your competencies and identification skills to continue to develop.

About you: You will have demonstrable experience in botanical surveys (but we welcome experience across a range of different areas of ecological consultancy practice). You should be able to demonstrate competence in botany and ideally have a Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) Level 4 or above or envisage that you will gain a Level 4 or above if you undertook the FISC test. The successful candidate will need to understand the relevant ecological legislation and policy throughout the UK. BSc Ecology, Biological Science or equivalent (MSc desirable) and eligible CIEEM membership (level dependent on grade). Good theoretical grounding in ecology and environmental assessment. Experience in project management duties including planning and scheduling surveys, budget management and client liaison desirable.

If you are interested, and hold a full UK driving licence, we would love to hear from you.

Culture & Inclusion at SLR: We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional C&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all people regardless of their background can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently under‑represented at SLR, such as people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent. Should you require any special adjustments throughout the recruitment process with us, please let us know. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we seek to ensure all applicants have equitable support when applying to SLR.