Senior Ecologist (Permanent) in Bradford

Water Utility Company based in the Yorkshire region of England. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£41,221 - £51,527)
• A company car
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Ecologist progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: West Yorkshire / Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week Bradford Relocating to Leeds Summer 2026)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Ecologist to join the Land & Property Finance team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire's water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region and play a key role in the region's health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. This role supports the delivery of Yorkshire Water's business strategy by providing expert ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) advice across capital projects. You'll work closely with project managers and delivery teams to embed ecological best practice while supporting the implementation of Yorkshire Water's BNG approach, including the management of the internal BNG bank.

As our Ecologist you will:

• Support Project Managers in commissioning, reviewing and acting on ecological and BNG assessments, including protected species surveys, at the right stage to reduce risk and inform design and optioneering.
• Support project teams by reviewing ecological reports, ensuring recommendations are fit for purpose and delivered on time.
• Work closely with town planning, regulators and delivery teams to ensure ecology and BNG considerations are embedded effectively from planning through to construction.
• Provide expert ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) advice to project managers, sponsors and delivery teams across the full lifecycle of capital schemes, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.
• Play a key role in implementing Yorkshire Water's Biodiversity Net Gain approach, developing business processes, specifications and guidance to support consistent delivery.
• Commission and review Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs), Biodiversity Gain Plans and audit reports, ensuring submissions meet planning and legal requirements.
• Undertake site surveys which may include spot checks of high ecological risk projects during construction; early-stage site walkovers with the design team to flag ecological risks; scoping surveys for the BNG Habitat Bank; and post construction surveys.
• Manage and maintain ecological and BNG GIS data, ensuring records for BNG sites and protected species are accurate and up to date, including review of contractor-submitted information.
• Advise the business on new and evolving environmental legislation, helping Yorkshire Water stay ahead of compliance requirements.
• Support the delivery of regulatory outputs, including contributing data to the Annual Performance Report.

Requirements:

• A degree in a relevant environmental or ecological discipline.
• At least 3 years experience managing ecological risk within construction, infrastructure or utilities.
• Strong experience delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, including use of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric and habitat condition assessments.
• Experience undertaking or reviewing UKHab surveys and Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs).
• Confident using GIS systems to manage ecological data.
• Strong working knowledge of environmental legislation, with the ability to translate requirements into practical business advice.
• Willing to travel to sites across Yorkshire and hold a full UK driving licence.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy!

If you've got experience in managing ecological risk in the construction or utilities sector and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

No agencies please.