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 the role:
We are looking to recruit a principal ornithologist to sit within our team of ecological professionals. We have varied projects including renewable, road, and power schemes which the team are involved in, as well as working closely with our teams elsewhere in the UK and overseas. You would be part of a team of over 140 ecologists nationally with specialists in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecology. We have 13 ornithologists across the UK and Ireland, of which two are current members of the Bird Survey and assessment Steering Group.
We are a highly collaborative team across all environmental disciplines, which makes Mott MacDonald a great place to work. While we are an employee-owned company, our ecology teams are small enough to have a small team feel but large enough to work on some of the UK's biggest projects. These are led and supported by a fantastic mix of specialists with a wealth of experience and a culture of supporting and learning from others, coaching, and mentoring.

We pay our ecologists in line with their engineering colleagues with the ability to earn performance-based bonuses throughout the year. Our projects are diverse, interesting, and technically challenging and we excel in offering innovative solutions. Our ecology teams across the UK are highly experienced in their fields and are proactive when working together imparting knowledge. We are a well-respected company with strong values.

This opportunity is not a one-way street as we will give you an exciting space in which to develop yourself as well as support in developing the team. You will be visible within our business, working with other ecology team leads across the UK and providing you with the opening for your reputation to grow, allowing you to influence peers both internally and across the sector.

Candidate spec:

•    Experience in the UK ecological consultancy market, with a strong external-facing, client-orientated approach.

•    Degree in Ecology (or a directly related subject).

•    Chartered (or near Chartership) with an appropriate professional body.

•    Strong knowledge and experience in the interpretation of wildlife legislation, key policy, and guidance to advise clients and manage projects.

•    Familiar with the bird assemblages found in the UK and/or Ireland and can identify by sight and sound the characteristic species of each assemblage. 

•    Experience in overseeing the design of, and leading, bird surveys for small and large-scale projects.

•    Proficiency in writing and quality assurance of reports, ensuring high standards and good attention to detail.

•    Experienced in the production of Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessment reports.

•    Good commercial awareness, experience of winning work and the ability to deliver contracts on time and within budget.

•    Excellent communication and data analysis skills.

•    Excellent business development skills with drive and ambition to grow these key areas.

•    Willingness to mentor and develop junior staff.

•    Willingness to encourage innovation and digital services.

•    Willingness to travel throughout the UK.

Desirable:
•    A masters or higher degree in Ecology (or directly related subject).
•    Experience in people management and training / mentoring junior ecologists.
•    Experience of onshore and/or offshore ornithology including collision risk assessments and population viability analysis.
•    Active BTO Nest Record Scheme participant.
•    Basic GIS skills.

If you meet most of what we are looking for, please still apply. We understand not everyone will meet all the requirements, but you might have the skills we didn’t know we need. We will consider alternative locations for strong candidates.

We would also consider senior or experienced ecologists looking for a step up.

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance. 

We have a dedicated wellbeing network that can help you with advice and information and share key resources. Our Environment and Social division hold environment forums and numerous knowledge-sharing webinars on a range of topics such as biodiversity net gain and climate change, bird surveys, environmental impact assessments and development consent orders, and floating wetlands for water treatment. Through our corporate social responsibility work we aim to make a positive difference and staff are supported to participate in activities to support their local communities.

We are seeking a principal ornithologist who enjoys leading and working within a close-knit team that operates in and is supported by larger regional and national teams. You should have or be developing, an effective record of project and people management and a high level of technical knowledge. You should be able to confidently provide direction and support as an ornithology discipline lead on a variety of projects. You will be passionate about using your experience and knowledge for ornithology and professional excellence, leading the team and the development of innovative solutions both for our wide range of clients.

You would contribute to the growth of our people within your team as well as the wider UK ecology team.

You will enjoy rising to a challenge, working across disciplines, finding ways to add value for our customers, using and promoting integrated solutions and innovative technology, and above all, ensuring quality is maintained. Most importantly you will be helping us to build a lasting and sustainable environmental business.

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