The public sector client is looking to recruit an Ecologist to work on a 3 year temporary contract based in either Wessex, Kent, or Sussex. (please confirm which location is your preference on application). Please Note: The role may require some overnight stays depending on location but this is not anticipated to be every week. Ideally candidates will be able to start in June 2021.The contract will be issued for 22 months to begin with and then the remaining 14 months will be done as an extension.

Please Note: This assignment sits inside of IR35. The successful candidate will have a valid DBS Clearance or be willing to apply for one on job application/job offer.

The role will oversee delivery of the clients Ecological Pilot, a demonstrator project aiming to identify the most efficient and effective methods of maintaining and enhancing biodiversity value on the clients estate.

The role of the ecologist is to provide technical support to frontline maintenance engineering works and support the implementation of new biodiversity management standards and policies. Technically, the clients ecologist needs to be competent to deliver Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Habitat Assessments (identifying and mapping habitats using NVC/Phase 1 methodology, with experience of UKHAB preferred) and Clerk of Works duties. Protected and Notable Species are frequently encountered on the network and the clients ecologist needs to hold sufficient competency to advise on and mitigate risk, including applying for Wildlife Licenses from Natural England. Technical Competencies are measured against the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Competency Framework.

It is important to recognise that the working environment is challenging and different to development scheme scenarios that ecologists are typically engaged with. On the operational clients, works are 24/7 and there are many different types of engineering activities in motion at any one time, which can and do have varying levels of impact on wildlife and the natural environment. A ecologist needs to be able to apply project management skills and have the ability to prioritise and manage multiple, competing and complex tasks. A large element of the role will involve developing and implementing plans to ensure that business units are compliant with internal Standards for biodiversity management. Crucially, there are many internal and external customer interfaces to be managed, so good communication and influencing skills are a must.

• Ability to demonstrate and display Southern Region values – always safe, care about people, teamwork, empowered to do the right thing for those who use the clients network
• A relevant higher degree in Ecology, Zoology, Biological Sciences or other relevant Environmental Sciences, or equivalent experience
• Good understanding of UK and European wildlife legislation and best practice guidance experience
• Professional experience in ecological management – this should demonstrably cover PEA, habitat survey and mapping, Species Licensing
• Highly developed project management skills with an ability to manage multiple, competing and complex tasks
• Proven ability to direct and manage contractors, consultants and staff
• Solid experience with local community consultation and working with diverse stakeholders

The Ecologist is a specialist scientific role. The candidate will survey ecosystems and assess the diversity, profusion and behaviour of the different organisms within them.

Responsibilities could include: conducting field surveys to collect biological information about the numbers and distribution of organisms – this may be for a database such as the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) carrying out taxonomy – the classification of organisms applying sampling strategies and employ a range of habitat survey techniques, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), aerial photography, records and maps carrying out environmental impact assessments analysing and interpret data, using specialist software programs working on habitat management and creation writing reports and issue recommendations liaising with, and advise, site managers, engineers, planners and others associated with a survey building relationships with stakeholders, including members of the public carrying out research undertaking teaching in schools or in field centres keeping up to date with new environmental policies and legislation contributing ideas about changes to policy and legislation, based on ecological findings

• Ability to work with data capture and analysis tools (e.g. ArcGIS)
• Membership of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or equivalent
• Full UK driving licence