Principal Ecologist

WSP
Edinburgh
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeFunction: Communications, PR & CommunitySkills: ["Leadership","Communication","Organization","Mentorship","Attention to detail"]

Lead ecology delivery within a growing Nature Services team, providing line management and motivational leadership while supporting day-to-day project resourcing. Plan and conduct desk- and field-based ecology surveys (including Phase 1/UKHab and protected species), prepare and review ecological deliverables (appraisals, impact assessments, Habitats Regulations Appraisals), and manage client liaison, stakeholder consultation, and regulatory negotiation. Mentor junior ecologists and develop as a technical expert through ongoing training and chartership support.

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FursaFursa
WSP
WSP
20 hours ago

Principal Ecologist

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Last checked: 48 minutes agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead ecology delivery within a growing Nature Services team, providing line management and motivational leadership while supporting day-to-day project resourcing. Plan and conduct desk- and field-based ecology surveys (including Phase 1/UKHab and protected species), prepare and review ecological deliverables (appraisals, impact assessments, Habitats Regulations Appraisals), and manage client liaison, stakeholder consultation, and regulatory negotiation. Mentor junior ecologists and develop as a technical expert through ongoing training and chartership support.
Location: Edinburgh
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Communications, PR & Community
Seniority: Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Embrace the Health, Safety and Wellbeing culture and create a safe place for all to work.
  • •Provide motivational leadership and line management, including workload planning and forecasting, professional development, and supporting effective team management.
  • •Plan and undertake ecology surveys, including Phase 1/UKHab habitat surveys and protected species surveys (e.g., badger, otter, bat, amphibians, reptiles).
  • •Prepare and review tenders and ecological deliverables such as Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Reports, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, technical reports, and mitigation licence applications.
  • •Conduct client liaison, project management, consultation and negotiation with regulators and stakeholders, and mentor junior team members.

Pay and Benefits

Perks:Gym Membership

Key Requirements

  • •Relevant academic qualification in ecology or a related subject.
  • •Full membership of CIEEM (ideally working towards full chartership) or eligible to apply.
  • •Proven experience motivating and leading others, including supporting team development and managing project workloads.
  • •Advanced competency in designing, planning, and undertaking ecology desk-based and field-based surveys (including botanical/habitat classification and protected species surveys) using health and safety practices such as site risk assessments.
  • •Ability to produce and review high-quality ecological reports and deliverables (e.g., Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Reports, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, and Environmental Statement chapters).
Education:
Skills:LeadershipCommunicationOrganizationMentorshipAttention to detail
Certifications:CIEEM
Tech Stack:H&S practicesPhase 1 surveyUKHab habitat surveysBotanical surveyHabitat classificationEnvironmental StatementHabitats Regulations Appraisals

Company Brief

WSP
Global professional services firm providing engineering, consulting, and technical services across infrastructure, environment, buildings, transportation, and energy sectors for public- and private-sector clients worldwide.
Industry: Professional Services
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 1B+
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Founded: 1959
WebsiteLinkedIn