Senior/Principal/Associate Ornithologist

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Job Description

Start here. Grow here.

Are you ready to join a team of talented Ecologist’s and shape the future of the environment? 

We are looking for an ornithological specialist (Senior, Principal or Associate) to help lead and advise on ornithology across our South West and Wales region, located from either our Bristol, Cardiff or Exeter office. Our Nature team in the region is working on a mix of energy, water, renewables, defence and transport projects. Our team is also supporting the wider AECOM Nature team with National and International projects. 

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Manage the preparation of high quality and commercially astute bids and tenders for ornithological services, notably in the renewable energy, power and transport infrastructure and transformational sectors.
• Manage the ornithological aspects of projects from conception through survey scoping, liaison with statutory bodies and final assessment.
• Act as lead verifier on projects to ensure that ornithological aspects of projects are delivered to the highest technical standards.
• Author and review/verify ornithology deliverables including EIA chapters and HRA.
• Plan, schedule and organise all phases of bird survey and analysis project work, ensuring necessary resources, budgets and controls are in place to meet both programme and budget requirements.
• Undertake ornithology surveys as and when required, particularly during survey scoping stage.
• Deliver ornithological consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients.
• As part of the team develop technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological issues across a range of bird habitats, including grassland, woodland, moorland, wetland and coastal habitats.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with other members of the ecology team, within projects and with clients by telephone, electronically and in both Teams and face to face meetings.
• Mentor junior staff and take ownership of strategic initiatives to improve the ornithology skillset and processes within the region.

If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you. Join our team, where we don't just construct infrastructure but also uplift communities and enhance lives. Why not give our AECOM page on LinkedIn a follow to stay updated on the impactful projects we're working on and see firsthand the difference we're making in the industry!

Come grow with us.  

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, which boasts around 230 professional experts including national and global leaders located across the UK&I, from species licence holders to experts in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued. 

And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM. You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days. 

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?  

Here’s what we’re looking for:  

• Proven track record of supporting the planning and delivery of ornithology projects in the UK or Ireland;
• Well-developed understanding of UK or Irish wildlife conservation, especially in relation to the legal and policy framework protecting birds;
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and evidence of working towards Chartership (such as CIEEM or related.) Commitment to innovation and continuing professional development;
• Excellent field skills in at least one specialist area of ornithology;
• A proactive approach to Health and Safety;

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at View email address on jobs.smartrecruiters.com. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. 

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you! 

Additional Information

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more! 

For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Melissa Moody). 

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address  View email address on jobs.smartrecruiters.com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.