Consultant Ecologist, Reading London
Job description
We are WSP - Join us and make your career future ready! In today’s world it’s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world. When considering a career move its vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong. See what WSP stands for in 2023 and beyond… To find out more about our business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: We are seeking a reliable and highly motivated individual to join our ornithology team. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is looking for the next step in their environmental consultancy career progression within the UK’s leading environmental consultancy, with the opportunity to learn from leading industry professionals. The Environment and Infrastructure Biodiversity team is comprised of around 70 specialists, providing high quality biodiversity services on complex projects in a variety of sectors including transport, renewables, nuclear, power, waste, minerals, and property at all stages in the project lifecycle from pre-consent surveys, consent applications, discharging of conditions, construction supervision and post construction monitoring. Which offers excellent career development and progression opportunities. You will have the opportunity to hone and enhance your field survey skills and work towards becoming an EPS Licence holder in your chosen specialism(s). Your role will allow you to develop and expand your existing data analysis and manipulation skills, GIS skills and report writing skills as you take on increased levels of responsibility and step into that next chapter of your career development where you take responsibility for project deliverables, task manages elements of projects and coordinate field work campaigns. You will be encouraged to develop and expand your skills and experience in this way, under the careful supervision of senior technical experts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience. This role is based in either our London, Reading or Bristol office. Your new role, what's involved? Based on your ambition and the role will develop, based on existing skills and interest areas, to includeBNG (Biodiversity Net Gain) assessments, Natural Capital and HRA (Habitat Regulations Assessment) along with working on Environmental Impact Assessments and associated mitigation and compensation plans. We are excited to be combining these elements into our ‘Nature Positive’ strategy which will see WSP lead the way in getting Net Gain right as part of the delivery of holistic solutions which benefit both our clients and the environment; and we want you to be a part of this next chapter in our team’s expansion. Key Responsibilities You will work closely with other ecology team members and with colleagues in other technical disciplines to design and deliver surveys to a high standard for clients. You will undertake a broad range of ecological survey work across our diverse project portfolio, acting as task manager and lead surveyor and being involved in technical report writing with opportunities to develop project management skills, business development and assisting in training or more junior members of the team. The role will include: Designing and conducting ecological surveys including protected species (bats, reptiles, badgers, great crested newts and water vole), safely and within schedule and on budget Performing Preliminary Environmental Appraisals, impact assessments, baseline reports and BNG assessments with the supervision of Technical Experts. Supporting the production of Plan Level and Development Project Habitats Regulation Assessments at the Scoping and Appropriate Assessment stages under the supervision of Technical Experts. Assisting team leads and project managers develop costings and budgets for survey campaigns Task managing and leading delivery of ecology survey requirements, focusing on safety, quality and schedule Demonstrable experience of conducting extended Phase 1 and UK habs classification surveys Collating and reviewing ecological information for desk studies Demonstrable experience of technical report authorship, including but not limited to baseline reports, mitigation strategies and supporting in EcIA delivery Conducting Ecological Clerk of Works We'd love to hear from you if you have: Interest in building your career in the UK’s leading environmental consultancy, working with some of the leading experts in the industry, and if you are interested in developing the broadening your existing skills by working on some of the most interesting and complex infrastructure and renewable energy projects in the UK and overseas. With the opportunity to specialise depending on particular interests and your career development plan. Required Skills / Qualifications: Experience of working in an ecology-related job, ideally within the environmental consultancy sector An undergraduate ecology or related degree Good working knowledge of environmental legislation and planning policy Membership of or working towards membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Experience in designing, undertaking, and leading ecological surveys for protected species Experience in conducting extended Phase 1 and UK Habs surveys Experience in acting as an Ecological Clerk of Works Experience in writing and delivering high quality technical reports such as baseline reports, preliminary ecological appraisal, and ecological mitigation strategies GIS and digital data manipulation and analysis experience Willingness to work flexibly, involving travel within the UK and overnight stays where necessary. Clean, full U.K driver’s licence Preferred One or more protected species licences Experienced in botanical identification MSc or PhD in ecology or similar Experience in Ecological and Environmental Impact Assessments (EcIA / EIA) Experience in project / task management of small - mid - scale projects Experience of BNG assessments and the use of the BNG metric and HRA would be desirable but not essential Apply now and be the future of WSP! #WeAreWSP Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application. Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date. #LI-AH1 WSP
