Senior to Principal Ecologist (Cardiff)

Job Description

Senior to Principal Ecologist (Cardiff)Wardell Armstrong (WA) is a successful multi-disciplinary consultancy with 13 offices throughout the UK employing approximately 500 staff. At the heart of our business lies a group of outstanding people. Working together with clients, we deliver solutions to challenging problems in Property & Development, Infrastructure & Utilities and Mining & Minerals. The Opportunity:Our experienced consultants provide expert advice on ecological and environmental issues affecting a broad range of habitats and protected species. Licensed members of our team can deal with great crested newts, bats, badgers, dormice and reptiles. We’re proud of our strong working relationships with Natural England, the Wildlife Trust, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage.Our Ecology business is highly successful and as part of our ongoing plans to develop our teams, we are looking to appoint a Senior or Principal Ecologist to join our team in Wales based in the Cardiff office.  You will have typically between 4 and 8 years’ of ecological consultancy experience.  As a Senior or Principal, you will report to the Associate and Technical Director team leads.The ecology team works alongside several other environmental professionals within the Firm, including planners, archaeologists, arboriculturists, landscape architects and engineers.  Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team is desirable but not essential.  Project work will be varied, and there will be a strong focus on renewable energy, infrastructure and residential schemes as well as other commercial development projects.Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Managing ecological projects (commensurate with experience), assisting team leads with managing resource allocation and financial budgets, addressing any client feedback and ensuring effective communications on all projects.
• Producing and overseeing the production of ecological appraisals, reports, licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, EPS licences and other similar documents.
• Experience with Biodiversity Net Gain would be advantageous.
• Carrying out ecological surveys, where necessary, and checking that surveys are being carried out to the required standards by all staff.
• Assist the team leads with the preparation of fee proposals.
• Be an active member of the Ecology team, working collaboratively with the wider team and acting as a mentor for junior staff members.
• Support the Associate/Technical Directors in the management, training and mentoring of junior staff.

We are seeking someone who has:

• A minimum of 4 to 8 years post-qualification experience in an ecologically focussed role, preferably in ecological consultancy.
• Experience of managing ecological projects to completion and reporting to the standards required by planning authorities, Natural Resources Wales and other similar bodies.
• Experience of making licence applications and holds at least 1 Protected Species licence.  A bat licence would be advantageous.   
• Experience of preparing a wide range of technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, ES Chapters, Habitat Regulations Assessments and other technical reports.
• Experience of applying for Natural Resources Wales/Natural England mitigation licences
• Good knowledge of relevant UK and European legislation, policy and guidance.
• Qualifying Member’ status, or higher, of CIEEM.
• A flexible approach to work, including during unsocial hours (e.g. overnight bat surveys) and sometimes working away from home (expenses paid).
• A full UK driving licence essential and access to own car advantageous.

We offer: 

• Hybrid home/office working arrangement.
• Membership of the Firm's Group Personal Pension Plan, with Employer's contribution of up to 5%.
• Payment of a relevant professional subscription.
• 24 days annual leave per year.
• Membership to the Firm's Private Health Care Scheme.
• Inclusion in the Firm's Critical Illness Cover Policy.
• Inclusion in the Firm's Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 3 times your annual salary.
• Mobile Phone with inclusive tariff including personal usage.
• Regular training programme.
• Flexitime Working Schedule.
• Long service awards.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Travel Loans.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recruitment Bounty Scheme.
• An extensive support network within the company to provide guidance and specialist advice.
• A relaxed office environment.
• Regular social events.