Overview

Due to continued growth and expansion in the region we are looking for an Ecologist to join our expanding team in London to assist with site work, surveys and associated analysis and report writing.

Job Title: Ecologist
Vacancy No: VN946
Employment Type: Permanent
Contract Type: Full-Time

With a team of over 45 professional ecologists working nationally, you can be assured that the SLR ecology team would support you to develop your full career potential, giving you an outstanding opportunity to learn and develop your ecological skills. This role would be suitable for individuals seeking their first professional role or those who have practical survey or consultancy experience post-graduation.

Whatever your existing skill-set, you will be dedicated to a career as a professional ecologist and show a commitment to continuing professional development.  The successful candidate would be joining a highly successful, international multidisciplinary consultancy with an established and well-respected ecological presence in the UK.  On joining the team, you would work with your managers to develop a tailored training package using both in-house and external training resources to drive the development of your career as a professional ecologist.

SLR has one of the most experienced ecology teams in the UK: 10 of our senior staff have more than 20 years professional consultancy expertise. This role therefore offers a unique opportunity to work alongside this experienced team and to integrate with professionals from SLR’s other disciplines, including hydrology, air quality, landscape, planning, environmental impact assessment and sustainability consultants.

SLR are global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with over 1800 staff across 5 regions – including over 600 staff across Europe. SLR’s ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business; providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including a company pension and healthcare offering, travel and life insurance, critical illness cover and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. Alongside 25 day’s annual leave, SLR offer agile working which allows staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, and our family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and family life.

APPLICATIONS

SLR will close the role when we have received a sufficient number of applications, so please do not delay in applying for the position.

To apply for this position please submit your application at: www.slrconsulting.com/careers. SLR Consulting is an equal opportunities employer but our expectations go beyond just complying with legislation. It is SLR’s intention that active steps are undertaken to ensure that opportunities are open to all and that as a business, we continue to strive to promote diversity and inclusion and reduce the gender pay gap.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: 

  • A passion for ecology and understanding of the importance of maintaining high professional standards of work in the sector.
  • BSc Ecology, Biological Science or equivalent (MSc desirable), and eligible for Qualifying or Associate level CIEEM membership.
  • A good theoretical grounding in ecology and environmental assessment and be able to demonstrate experience in a range of ecological survey techniques.
  • Botanical skills and experience of habitat surveys would be an advantage, along with specialist fauna surveys (bats, reptiles, amphibians, water voles, otters, birds or invertebrates).
  • Any licenses for working with protected species would be an advantage
  • Any experience acting as construction works supervising ecologist (ECoW) or delivering ecological mitigation contracts would be useful.
  • Full drivers licence valid in the UK.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Initially, the role will involve undertaking or assisting with field surveys and protected species mitigation projects, depending on your level of existing experience.  The varied role would be likely to include survey and mitigation work with great crested newt, reptiles, bats, badger and water vole, as well as working as an Ecological Clerk of Works supervising construction works in sensitive areas and undertaking habitat surveys.  You would also be involved in the preparation of survey reports and Ecological Impact Assessments.  Due to the nature of client sites and survey types, the position will involve working across the country and occasional out-of-hours work.

Duties may include:

  • Assisting with ecological surveys for a range of fauna, including great crested newts, reptiles, dormouse, water vole, otter, badger, bats, birds etc.
  • Assisting with vegetation and habitat surveys, e.g. UKHab, with the ability to differentiate main broad and priority habitat types in the field and understanding of condition assessment approaches.
  • Recording time and tasks accurately on SLR’s project management software and understanding the commercial nature of consultancy projects.
  • Keeping accurate field notes in accordance with the principles of scientific data collection, with experience in handling, recording and storing data effectively.
  • Having a good understanding of wildlife legislation and being able to communicate this clearly to colleagues, clients and contractors.
  • Taking responsibility for staff management on mitigation projects, ensuring that there is sufficient staffing for mitigation projects.
  • Taking personal responsibility for your health and safety whilst at work, learning SLR’s procedures and conducting your work in a safe and responsible manner.
  • The role will involve working with other team members located across the UK and the Republic of Ireland and may require short-term travel across the UK and potentially overseas, depending on client/project sites.