Overview

Capita provide transport planning advice and development planning assistance to both the public and private sector.  Our services range from data collection and traffic modelling to detailed transport assessments and travel plans to scheme design, preparation of funding bids and strategic assessment from a transport perspective. We are also the specialist property and infrastructure business of Capita plc, delivering solutions and creating value for our clients. For more information please visit our website www.capita.co.uk/property
Purpose of the role:

Working as a senior team member of our Ecology & Countryside team with responsibility for providing senior level ecological expertise.  The Senior Ecologist’s role is instrumental in achieving the timely, efficient and thorough completion of projects and development of the ecology business.

Key responsibilities:

Punctuality, reliability, presentability: e.g. attending site for meetings/surveys, undertaking work, meeting deadlines.
Carry out ecological surveys and lead surveys (as appropriate according to personal ecological specialisms) including: Phase 1 habitat surveys, site assessments for protected species,  initial inspections for bats and follow-up surveys of activity, great crested newts using standard techniques.
Interpret survey data and advise colleagues and clients clearly about implications.
Mentor and coach colleagues and junior staff to develop their ecological skills.
Managing sub-consultants and external ecological specialists;
Manage and co-ordinate projects to produce thorough, accurate outputs and meet deadlines efficiently.
Respond efficiently to queries for work and complete accurate and realistic fee proposals – responding to queries within 24 hours.
Provide the Ecology & Countryside Manager with details of new projects, progress on existing jobs and deadlines and resourcing issues at brief weekly update meetings.
Deliver presentations e.g.: toolbox talks and basic training and instruction.
Identify business development opportunities.

Skills:

Demonstrable ability to undertake ecological surveys, including Phase 1 habitat surveys, site assessments for protected species, initial inspections for bats and follow-up surveys of activity, great crested newts using standard techniques as a minimum.
Demonstrable ability to manage projects, including setting and meeting deadlines.
A range of organisational skills including successfully acting as a lead contact and manager for multiple projects, the ability to plan own and team’s workload and producing high quality outputs such as accurate, thorough and comprehensive reports.
Staff management skills including proven ability to manage ecologists and junior staff to produce a happy, cohesive team.
Tenacity to chase for required information, outputs from staff to meet deadlines and deal with poor performance to ensure team’s goals are met.
Good report writing skills including production of accurate, thorough and comprehensive reports written to format and in plain English.

Essential skills

Degree or equivalent in ecology or related subject OR Full membership (or eligibility for full membership) of CIEEM
Experience of designing mitigation schemes
Demonstrable knowledge of current wildlife and conservation legislation
Knowledge and awareness of planning process and policy
Experience of working within an ecological consultancy or similar field
Holder of Species Survey Licences for England and/or Wales (e.g. great crested newts, bats,  white clawed crayfish, dormice etc)
Experience of using GIS software for ecological purposes
Experience of BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes Assessments
Demonstrable interpersonal skills and experience of successful team management
Experience of successful ecology project management
Excellent comprehensive report writing and communication skills