Overview

Join to apply for the Principal Ecologist role at RPS. The position can be based in any of our England offices.

RPS, a Tetra Tech company, is looking for a Principal Ecologist who can be based in any of our England offices.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead and manage complex ecological projects as part of a diverse portfolio of renewable energy, residential, and commercial projects throughout the East of England, including Town and Country Planning Act developments and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
• Author, and peer review, a range of ecology reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) and Environmental Statement (ES) Ecology Chapters.
• Contribute to the development of the team through providing in-house training, support and line management to junior team members. Work collaboratively as part of a team of ecologists.
• Lead negotiations with Natural England, County Ecologists, Local Authority planning officers, and stakeholders.
• Complete Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, interpreting and evaluating the Biodiversity Metric to deliver pragmatic on- and off-site solutions to our clients.
• Project management including preparation of fee proposals/ tenders, invoicing and management of project finances.
• Design and implement ecological mitigation strategies including mitigation licences for bats, great crested newts, dormice, badgers, and water vole.

Who We Are Looking For

• You will have sound knowledge of the UK planning system and environmental legislation relevant to the role.
• You will be competent in UK Habitat Classification and habitat condition assessments (FISC level 4 highly desirable but not essential).
• You’ll be able to design and complete a range of typical ecology surveys, and interpret the findings to inform robust ecological assessments and deliver pragmatic solutions to clients.
• You’ll have experience designing/ delivering ecological mitigation including protected species licensing and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW).
• We are looking for a team player – someone to support our small team as we grow, but also the ability to work independently.
• Good time keeping and communication skills are important to us.
• You will hold a full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes, and be willing to travel to sites throughout the region (some level of overnight accommodation may be required).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Ecology or closely related field.
• CIEEM Membership.
• Hold at least one protected species survey licence (great crested newt and bats highly desirable).
• FISC Level 4 highly desirable but not essential.

What is in it for you?

We’re proud to be an accredited training provider, internationally recognised and providing robust fully accredited professional training programmes to master’s degree level professional qualifications in leadership and management and executive coaching and mentoring. We provide learning and development for everyone. We support our people to innovate, collaborate and build meaningful careers. Our network of people and knowledge will expand your horizons and give you access to a variety of interesting projects.

Why Choose RPS, a Tetra Tech Company

In 2023 RPS joined Tetra Tech, enabling us to combine our expertise with the reach and resources of a prestigious global organisation. We design and manage projects in urbanisation, natural resources, and sustainability. As part of Tetra Tech’s strong team across 550 offices in over 120 countries, we deliver solutions that create lasting value in an increasingly urbanised and resource-scarce world. By leveraging our global expertise, we enable our clients to develop winning solutions for their clients and communities.

As a Tetra Tech company, RPS is proud to provide market-leading development and project opportunities for our people, supporting their growth while addressing the challenges that matter. Our people drive our success, and this is where you come to build a career. We’re a connected community, working together to achieve exceptional outcomes. We understand the need to work flexibly, empowering our people to create a work-life balance that’s right for them. We also understand the importance of collaboration and social connection in the office environment. With agile offices and hybrid working offered as standard, we trust our people to find the right balance to meet client needs – this is a workplace that works for you.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With over 30,000 employees, we deliver clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.