Overview

The Assistant Ecologist will be responsible for assisting the Climate Change and Environmental Team with implementing the requirements of Welsh Government (WG) policy and environmental legislation such as Wildlife and Countryside Act 1980 and Section 6 of Environment Wales Act. To provide professional ecological advice and support to NMWTRA and our partners regarding the assessment, impact and mitigation of our operations on ecology and biodiversity, ensuring NMWTRA is both compliant with legislation and maximising biodiversity opportunities.To provide direct ecological support and technical advice to NMWTRA Capital delivery and maintenance teams including review of internal and external documents, surveys and reporting, technical advice, attendance of meetings and site supervision.

Requirements

Essential:

  • Degree or MSc in Zoology, Botany, Ecology or a relevant ecological subject. HNC/HND/NVQ (Level 4) in an ecology related subject and at least 5 years’ relevant experience.
  • Ability to work in a team environment.
  • Self-motivated, committed and with personal initiative.
  • Experience in undertaking ecological surveys for species and habitats.
  • Understand the ecology of a range of common protected species.
  • Experience in identification of a range of common UK species and habitats.
  • Had involvement in the development of species or habitat mitigation and enhancement works.
  • Experience in applying for and obtaining licences for  Protected Species and Sites.
  • Good understanding of relevant Wales/ UK Environmental Legislation especially for Nature Conservation.
  • Well-developed interpersonal communication skills with ability to inspire and motivate others.
  • Ability to work safely under pressure and to deal with tight deadlines.
  • Able to work with limited supervision, to prioritise own workload.
  • Good organisational skills, innovative and forward thinking.
  • Ability to communicate in a courteous, tactful and diplomatic way when dealing with contentious issues, understanding policies and constraints of others.
  • Ability to provide guidance, manage, supervise and lead on ecological matters within NMWTRA teams and projects.
  • Ability to persevere with achieving ecological best practice and legislative compliance when this is not always a popular decision with others.
  • Ability to work in consultation and partnership with external organisations and consultants.
  • Dedicated to accuracy and delivery of tasks to achieve best outcome for environment.
  • Evidence of commitment to continuing personal and professional development.
  • Ability to use Geographical Information Systems (GiS), capture data in the field, analyse and manipulate data, produce maps and reports.
  • IT literate  – use of Word, Excel spread sheets and databases.
  • Skills in concise report writing, data management and interpretation.
  • Ability to scrutinise reports and documents produced by others to ensure that content is satisfactory.
  • Well-developed oral and written communication skills to a wide range of audience. Ability to motivate and educate others.
  • Practical skills in identifying main species groups and knowing where to find further information.
  • Problem solving skills and finding ways to resolve conflict and achieve quality results.
  • Knowledge of UK nature conservation legislation, wider environmental legislation, standards and and Industry Good Practice guidance.
  • Health and Safety awareness.
  • Current valid Driving Licence.
  • Frequently work hours which are outside normal hours as required.

Desirable:

  • Membership of relevant professional body eg CIEEM.
  • Experience in developing specialist mitigation and enhancement measures for protected species.
  • Ability to undertake specialist surveys eg botanical surveys or specific species surveys such as bats, dormice, otters, badgers, water voles.
  • Experience in using a range of specilalist wildlife detection equipment such as bat detectors or trail cameras.
  • Experience of using Highways related guidance eg Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
  • Experience of working on transport infrastructure projects and management of the Soft Estate.
  • Experience in successfully working as an Ecological or Environmental Advisor for planning, development, or infrastructure projects.
  • Experience as an Ecological Clerk of works for Projects.
  • Experience in working with others to develop resolution to conflicts between ecological and engineering or other requirements.
  • Holder of Protected Species Licences for example; bats, dormice, great crested newts.
  • Undertaken training for specialist species mitigation.
  • Undertaken training in Habitat Classification.
  • Undertaken training in species identification.
  • Undertaken training as an Ecological or Environmental Clerk of Works.
  • Undertaken training in Ecological Survey Techniques.
  • Experience in undertaking Phase 1 surveys and/or UKHabs habitat mapping.
  • Wide range of experience of ecological, environmental and habitat management.
  • Experience with Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments.
  • Experience in delivering and managing projects for wildlife and habitat mitigation and enhancement.
  • Experience in procurement and managing budgets.
  • Attended courses in use of IT: eg  Excel, Word, GIS.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills in both the Welsh and English language.
  • Attended training in Traffic Management eg New Roads and Streetworks Act Chapter 8 and National Highway Sector Scheme 12D(M7).
  • Appropriate LISS/CSCS accreditation.
  • Health & Safety training.

If you have any specific queries relating to the above post, please contact Hannah Jones on 07773 616096.

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