At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ecological surveys and produce comprehensive reports for diverse environmental projects.
- Company: Join Origin Enterprises, a leader in sustainable land use and environmental solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive rewards, hybrid working, and continuous professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while growing your career in a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology, strong report writing skills, and experience in ecological legislation.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Origin Enterprises, we are dedicated to championing sustainable land use, and our Environmental teams support a diverse range of clients and projects—from land management and development to restoration and conservation. Joining us means becoming part of a collaborative, purpose driven community where this collective expertise enables us to deliver high quality, fully integrated solutions and contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes across the UK and Ireland.
Neo Environmental is a multidisciplinary consultancy that provides market leading, cost-effective planning, environmental and technical solutions to clients working in the energy, residential, retail, utilities, mixed-use, aggregates and infrastructure sectors across the UK and Ireland. We work closely with our clients throughout the duration of projects to ensure that we have a thorough understanding of their requirements and to achieve optimum designs. Our team consists of experienced and accredited planners, engineers and multi-disciplinary environmental consultants, ensuring we provide a full suite of in-house collaborative services for projects.
We have an enviable track record for successfully consenting projects, whether small or complex, through our comprehensive understanding of planning requirements, particularly in the renewable energy industry.
The role will include:
- Undertaking Ecological Surveys including: Phase 1/ Fossitt habitat surveys and NVC/IVCs, Protected species surveys, Bat surveys, Bird surveys
- Producing Comprehensive reports including: Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), EIA chapters, Biodiversity Management Plans, Protected Species Survey Reports and Management Plans, Appropriate Assessment/Natural Impact Statements
- Managing survey timetables, capacity and delivery across multiple projects to ensure compliance with relevant survey guidance
- Liasing with clients and statutory consultees
- Attending client and site meetings
- Line management and team leadership for the Ecology team
Key Requirements:
- Degree in Ecology or similar
- Good knowledge of ecological legislation and relevant planning policy in N.I. and RoI.
- Experience of leading on ecology for planning applications across a range of sectors including complex projects.
- Significant professional report writing skills
- Attention to detail, reliability and good organisational skills are essential
- Willing to travel across the NI and ROI, with occasional overnight stays from home
- CIEEM accredited
- Holding survey/mitigation licences from NIEA/NPWS in the past would be advantageous
- Ornithology experience would be advantageous
- Bat survey and GWDTE Experience.
Why work for us?
We offer a competitive and supportive rewards package designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally. This includes Life Assurance, access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and paid professional memberships such as CIEEM. We’re committed to continuous development, offering a blend of internal and external training opportunities to help you grow your skills and advance your career. As part of our inclusive culture, you’ll have the opportunity to join our monthly Neurodiversity Café, take part in community action days, and benefit from our family friendly policies, including enhanced family leave options. While we value time spent together in our offices to collaborate and stay connected, most roles offer hybrid working and open conversations around flexibility. You’ll also enjoy 25 days’ holiday, regular performance and development reviews, and the chance to collaborate across the wider Origin Group, especially within our growing family of Environmental businesses. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone can grow, contribute and feel valued. Visit our website to learn more — and grow with us.
Principal Ecologist in Ballymena employer: Origin Environmental
At Origin Enterprises, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that champions sustainable land use. Our Principal Ecologist role provides opportunities for professional growth through continuous development and training, while our hybrid working model and family-friendly policies ensure a healthy work-life balance. Join us to be part of a collaborative community dedicated to delivering meaningful environmental outcomes across the UK and Ireland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Ecologist in Ballymena
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the ecology field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your ecological surveys and reports. This will not only highlight your expertise but also give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to sustainable land use and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see your passion for the environment!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our collaborative community at Origin Enterprises.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ecologist in Ballymena
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Ecologist role. Highlight your relevant experience in ecological surveys and report writing, as well as your knowledge of legislation and planning policy. We want to see how you fit into our mission!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your significant professional report writing skills! Include examples of your previous work, especially if it relates to ecological impact assessments or biodiversity management plans. This is your chance to shine!
Be Organised:Since the role involves managing multiple projects, demonstrate your organisational skills in your application. Mention any tools or methods you use to keep track of deadlines and deliverables. We love a candidate who can juggle tasks efficiently!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and securely. Plus, you’ll find more info about our culture and values there, which can help you tailor your application even further!
How to prepare for a job interview at Origin Environmental
✨Know Your Ecology Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your ecological knowledge, especially regarding legislation and planning policies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Be prepared to discuss specific surveys you've conducted, like bat or bird surveys, and how they relate to the role.
✨Showcase Your Report Writing Skills
Since producing comprehensive reports is a key part of the job, bring examples of your previous work. Highlight your experience with Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and Ecological Impact Assessments, and be ready to explain your writing process and attention to detail.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
As a Principal Ecologist, you'll be leading a team. Share your past experiences in team leadership and management, focusing on how you’ve successfully managed survey timetables and liaised with clients. This will show that you can handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit
Origin Enterprises values collaboration, so be prepared to discuss how you work with multidisciplinary teams. Share examples of how you've collaborated on complex projects and how you ensure everyone is on the same page to achieve optimal designs.
