Principal Consultant – Ornithology

About APEM

APEM is Europe’s largest specialist aquatic environmental consultancy. We offer our clients an integrated approach to the investigation and management of freshwater catchments and terrestrial and marine habitats and operate UK wide and internationally. Our consultants are recognised experts in their fields, and as a company we pride ourselves on our commitment to scientific rigour and an excellent service in providing solutions to our clients.

2019 was a big year for APEM. We were awarded water industry consultant of the year and we completed a management buyout. In 2020 and beyond we will continue our ambitions for growth and innovation.

APEM is a highly reputable company, renowned for our quality and long list of trusted clients, who once secured, provide repeat business year after year, trusting us to deliver a high-quality service at a fair price.

We are proud to be an inclusive company, with People as one of the key pillars that our strategy is built upon. We stand for equality for all. As such we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

About the role

This is an excellent opportunity for the right motivated individual to join our expanding, busy and experienced Marine Wildlife & Ornithology team.

The Marine Wildlife & Ornithology Team is a global leader in the offshore survey of seabirds, marine mammals and other wildlife, and assessing the potential impacts on seabirds, especially in the context of marine renewable energy developments.  Our team also lead on multiple coastal, freshwater and terrestrial ornithology projects for proposed developments as well as for research, monitoring and conservation projects.

The purpose of the role is to provide ornithology consultancy services to clients; dealing with all aspects of the consultancy process, bringing in new projects through to production of high quality scientific report outputs and maintaining technical excellence.

Competitive salary plus benefits
Reference: PCO-001
Location: Oxford, Cardiff, Cambridge, Cork, Manchester, Letchworth, Edinburgh, Chester, Southampton
Flexible Remote
Deadline for applications: 1st December 2020

About you

Providing expert environmental advice relating to environmental assessment, consenting requirements and project management required to input to different stages of our clients projects, including the design,  construction and operation of nationally significant infrastructure projects. Successful applicants should preferably have a degree in EIA / biology / environmental science / ecology and relevant experience in bird surveys, data collection, data analysis and interpretation and impact assessments. You will be the technical lead in your area of expertise, providing advice and guidance to colleagues and clients.

The candidate shall be dynamic, enthusiastic and able to work to tight deadlines and be an active interface manager with other departments, building strong working relationships both internally and externally.  Understanding of MS Office packages such as Excel and experience of using or managing others on GIS software packages are both essential.  The candidate will be responsible for liaising with our key clients, regulators and stakeholders both virtually (and in person following the current pandemic), preparing and managing fieldwork projects, preparing EIA/HRA Scoping and Screening reports and undertaking EIA and HRAs chapters for ornithological receptors for various marine and terrestrial projects. Planning and consents experience for National Strategic Infrastructure Projects is desirable with proven knowledge of environmental legislation, particularly for ornithology receptors.

Flexibility and reliability are key in this role and high attention to detail is required.

Required skills:

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• People leadership
• To be able to produce high quality work within tight time and cost constraints, ensuring repeat business.
• Ability to mentor a team of technical specialists, senior, scientists and graduates to produce timely, accurate and high quality products and services, including remote workers.
• Ability to lead on technical specialist topics : (EIAs and HRAs, environmental appraisals, statistical modelling for ornithology and other receptors) and innovation within the division
• Excellent bird identification
• Sound understanding of current UK EIA and HRA guidance for ornithology projects
• Sound understanding ornithology, with seabird ecology particularly useful NSIP and / or offshore renewables energy project experience preferable