Principal Ecologist

We are currently looking for a Principal Ecologist to join our growing Nature Services team. You’ll work alongside a supportive network of technical specialists on a rich variety of projects across Scotland and Ireland. We need an enthusiastic and adaptable individual to enable project delivery with a willingness to learn and grow with our team and support the growth of others.

Why This Role Matters

Our portfolio of ecology projects in Scotland and beyond is extensive and rapidly evolving, and WSP is helping to lead this change working with clients, government, planners and consultees to shape better outcomes for nature, society, and the environment.

Joining our team means you’ll be at the forefront of delivery while receiving full support to grow your expertise, build your confidence, and develop into a highly skilled ecological practitioner.

We welcome applications from individuals who may not tick every box just yet but are eager to learn, develop and make a difference.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Principal Ecologist, you will

• Embrace our Health, Safety and Wellbeing culture and create a safe place for all to work.
• Provide motivational leadership and line management for team members at various grades including overseeing workload planning and forecasting, whilst guiding and supporting professional development.
• Support the Team Lead/Deputy Team Lead with day-to-day project resourcing and through proactively contributing to effective team management in areas such as health and safety, technical training, recruitment, and chairing of meetings.
• Plan and undertake ecology surveys including Phase 1/ UKHab habitat surveys and protected species surveys (badger, otter, bat, amphibians and reptiles, etc).
• Prepare and review tenders and a range of ecological deliverables including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Reports, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, technical reports and mitigation licence applications.
• Undertake client liaison and project management.
• Conduct consultation and negotiation with regulators and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members whilst helping to nurture an enthusiastic, supportive, and productive working environment.
• Build and maintain a visible internal and external profile as a technical expert and collaborative leader.
• Participate in weekly and monthly Nature Services team meetings and national initiatives.
• Deepen your technical expertise and pursue professional development supported by colleagues and through formal training.
• Harness your potential to develop specific skillsets and share technical knowledge and opportunities for learning and innovations with colleagues.

What We’re Looking For

• A relevant academic qualification in ecology or a related subject.
• Full membership of CIEEM (ideally working towards full chartership) or eligible to apply.
• Proven relevant experience of motivating and leading others, including supporting team development and managing project workloads.
• Advanced technical knowledge and competency in designing, planning and undertaking ecology desk-based and field-based surveys within the UK such as botanical survey and habitat classification and/or protected species surveys across a broad range of habitats and seasons, and use of H&S practices including site risk assessments.
• Ability to produce and review high quality, technically and scientifically robust ecological reports and other project deliverables including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Reports, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, and Environmental Statement chapters.
• Proven relevant experience gained within a professional consultancy, regulatory and/or industrial role(s) with strong communication and organisation skills.
• Proven relevant experience of project and budget management, preparing proposals and client engagement, including ability to demonstrate effective time management and delivery across multiple projects would be an advantage.
• Advanced technical knowledge and competency of relevant ecology policy and guidance (particularly within Scotland), including excellent attention to detail in analysis and interpretation of ecological data would be an advantage.
• A technical specialism or hold (or have held) protected species survey and/or mitigation licences would be an advantage.
• A desire to develop your core ecological and consultancy skills and be supported by a team of ecologists and other environmental professionals.

Who You’ll Work With

You will collaborate closely with colleagues across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast and contribute to a wide range of projects, including:

• Nationally significant infrastructure projects
• Renewable energy developments
• Utility refurbishment programmes
• Smaller flood defence, active travel and green spaces projects

You’ll also work alongside experts in Biodiversity Net Gain, natural capital, ornithology, freshwater and marine ecology, arboriculture, landscape architecture, hydrology, engineering and geotechnical specialisms.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.

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