Overview

About APEM

APEM Limited is Europe’s largest specialist aquatic environmental consultancy. We offer our clients an integrated approach to every aspect of the investigation and management of freshwater catchments 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 has been a big year for APEM so far. We have been awarded water industry consultant of the year, have successfully secured places on a number of key water company AMP7 frameworks and we completed a management buyout. We are heading for a new record turnover and are pushing forward into a number of new areas as well as expanding our teams in our traditional areas and are looking for an experienced terrestrial ecologist to support us achieve this.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a high-calibre, motivated and commercially-minded terrestrial ecologist to help expand and manage our terrestrial ecology services and support our developing, expanding business area and to work on and manage a wide variety of projects. Project work will likely include water company infrastructure and capital schemes across the UK, river and wetland restoration investigations and various regulator investigations. You’ll work with internal and external teams liaising with clients, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, County Ecologists, Local Authority planning officers, and stakeholders and assist in gaining any necessary consents and licences.

You’ll provide authoritative ecological advice and innovative mitigation solutions/ enhancement considerations across a range of sites and schemes with varying levels of environmental and ecological sensitivities, including National and European designations. You’ll have a detailed understanding of Ecological Impact Assessments, planning regulations and nature conservation legislations. You’ll have a good knowledge of legislation and policy requirements associated with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and other relevant designations.

 Ideally you’ll be familiar with GIS systems and understand environmental technical disciplines at a high level allowing you to coordinate and project manage their input into the delivery of the project. Across APEM you’ll work as part of a team of specialists and you’ll have great written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work closely with internal and external stakeholders.

Part time working and flexible working / working from home are available for this role.

Grades: Divisional Director, Associate Director, Principal
Salary: competitive based on experience
Deadline for applications: Sunday 29th September

About you

You will be self-motivated and able to work independently as well as within project teams drawn from our regional offices. You will also have the drive and enthusiasm to expand and manage the current terrestrial ecology portfolio within APEM and to represent it externally.  Thus, the ability to communicate effectively with clients in all sectors and a sense of pride in, and responsibility for your work are paramount for these positions.

Depending on the grade applied for, we would anticipate candidates will have a minimum of an MSc or PhD in a relevant discipline and be a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environment Management (CIEEM) or an equivalent organisation. Ideally you would also hold various protected species licences, currently valid for application within Wales. Other desirable qualifications may include Confined Spaces Training and Construction skills certification scheme (CSCS).

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to work to tight deadlines.

Whether you are an applicant with academic, regulatory, consultancy or third sector experience you will need to demonstrate your ability to apply your skills in a commercial consultancy context through experience of managing projects and dealing with people effectively and professionally.

You will be primarily office-based managing projects, although site visits, client meetings and fieldwork are likely to be required, which may include overnight stays; therefore, a full driving licence and personal flexibility is essential.

Required skills 

  •  Experience in a client-facing role
  • Proven expertise in a relevant environmental discipline
  • Track record of successful project management and proposal writing including management and control of budgets
  • Business development experience