Overview

Senior / Principal Ecologist at Stantec — Reading or Bristol preferred; flexible in the UK for the right candidate. Opportunities across the UK with a focus on biodiversity, nature-based solutions and sustainable development.

Join our growing, award-winning Ecology team to deliver positive biodiversity outcomes and Biodiversity Net Gain on development projects. You will work within multidisciplinary project teams, provide ecological consultancy advice to clients, consult with external stakeholders, engage with licensing processes, and contribute to large-scale habitat restoration and conservation efforts. You will deliver and oversee ecological mitigation and biodiversity benefits, undertake technical reporting, and manage fieldwork surveys through our network of ecologists.

Our projects range from strategic and regeneration residential schemes to energy, resources, transport, and nationally significant infrastructure projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to progress your career in ecological consultancy while aligning with your strengths and interests.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee ecological mitigation and biodiversity benefits for various developments
• Undertake skilled technical reporting and provide evidence-based ecological advice to colleagues and clients
• Manage the delivery of ecological fieldwork surveys via the network of ecologists
• Consult with external stakeholders and work within licensing processes
• Influence conservation and enhancement of habitats and species through well-thought-out management plans
• Support project teams to maximise biodiversity opportunities on development projects

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in Ecology, Conservation, Earth Sciences or a related environmental discipline
• Full membership of CIEEM or working towards full membership
• Strong working knowledge of UK ecology, legislation and the UK planning system
• Proven experience in a professional ecological consultancy with a track record on complex ecological projects through planning or delivery
• Creative and strategic thinking to solve ecological challenges
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in compiling fee proposals and managing project budgets
• Familiarity with UKHab classification and the Biodiversity Net Gain Defra Metric and reporting requirements
• Experience in assessments such as PEA, EcIA, HRA and Biodiversity chapters of Environmental Statements

Desirable

• Broad understanding of terrestrial ecological issues
• Working towards Chartership (CEnv or CEcol)
• Experience in developing off-site BNG solutions and sourcing Biodiversity Units
• Understanding of natural capital and ecosystem services
• One or more protected species licences
• Experience in protected species licences

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 32,000 employees in 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been serving the UK for over 150 years, planning, designing, delivering and managing development and infrastructure to support sustainable, healthy communities. Our teams provide solutions that translate clients’ vision into validated consents, deliverable plans, and efficient designs based on technical excellence and market insights.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, or any other condition of employment. Stantec complies with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inclusive work environment is essential to our success. If you require adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please contact us for support.