Ecologist

Mott MacDonald

We’re a global engineering, management, and development consultancy. 
Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. 

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs. 

We are proud to be a one of Glassdoor’s top employers to work for in the UK, as well as being recognised as a Top Inclusive Company in the UK.

Our values: Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, Excellence. 

About the division 

Environmental and social considerations are central to Mott MacDonald’s Purpose and its offerings across all sectors and territories. Our environment and social business provides essential services and innovative solutions which anticipate our clients' needs across all sectors. 

Overview of role

In collaboration with ecology colleagues and other environmental disciplines you will be responsible for supporting a variety of multi-disciplinary projects, with a key focus on supporting on a range of ecological surveys, managing field data and the delivery of technical reports. 
 
This role will suit a dynamic, proactive individual who want to work in a growth area of our business and help support the delivery of ecological services in a fast moving, client focussed commercial environment. 

Candidate Specification

• A degree in biology/ecology or directly related subject. An additional higher degree would be an advantage.
• Experience in the UK ecological consultancy market with a strong client facing approach preferred
• Sound generalist ecologist background with experience in habitats and protected/notable species. 
• Experience in planning, assisting and delivering baseline species/habitat surveys to fulfil project requirements related to planning applications, EIA, HRA etc.
• Excellent knowledge, understanding and experience of applying relevant guidance for surveys. This includes experience in undertaking protected species surveys, as well as habitat / botanical surveys (UKHab/Phase 1). Understanding of upland habitats found commonly in Scotland preferred.
• Personal conservation licence for/working towards at least one protected species and experience of obtaining or working under a variety of protected species licences and liaising with regulatory bodies to negotiate and obtain consents. 
• Strong knowledge of wildlife legislation including planning processes and/or EIA/HRA assessments and undertaking surveys.
• Member of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent preferred
• Proficiency in report writing skills, displaying high standards with attention to detail and ability to write accurate and concise reports, such as ecological appraisals, survey reports, method statement
• Experience in preparation and writing ecological sections of environmental impact assessments ensuring that legislative guidelines are met
• Willingness to mentor more junior staff
• Willingness to travel and undertake fieldwork in the UK and internationally

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working 

Happy to talk Flexible Working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

 Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.