Principal Ecologist

Are you looking for a role with a focus on our local environment? Do you love engaging with passionate people? If so, we have an exciting new vacancy for a Principal Ecologist to join our internal Ecology team.

**What you'll do**:
As Principal Ecologist you will lead, support and mentor a team of ecologists who provide a wide range of services to engineering, construction and operational projects across our region.***

Our Ecology team underpins our five-year rolling work programmes, collaborating with Design teams to reduce and mitigate ecological impacts and deriving satisfaction from influencing projects from the initial design to completion.

Although some travel to sites within the Wessex Water region is required, long-distance travel and fee proposals are not a feature of this role.

**What you'll need**:
You must have significant experience in a project delivery-focused ecological role, as well as experience in people management and leading, supporting and mentoring all levels of Ecologists.

A proactive and flexible approach with a focus on successful project delivery is essential and you'll need excellent communication/negotiation skills to be able to work with colleagues, technical specialists and external organisations.

**Essential**
- A high level of organisational skills and the ability to manage projects, workload and deadlines.
- Competent in UKHab and protected species appraisal surveys.
- One or more protected species and mitigation licences.
- Good ecological report writing/reviewing skills including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA).
- A good understanding of the UK planning process and legal framework.
- Competent in the use and implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain.
- Experience delivering ecological mitigation during the construction/design of habitat creation and enhancement of biodiversity.
- A clean UK driving licence and access to your own transport.
- A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.

**Preferred**
- Experience using GIS (ArcGIS).
- Some knowledge of sewage and water treatment processes and construction practices.

**What you'll receive**:

- Total pension contributions up to 20%.
- Career progression and professional development opportunities.
- 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
- The opportunity to buy up to 10 days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
- A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
- Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
- A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary.
- Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
- One paid volunteering day each year.
- Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
- An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
- Support from mental health first aiders.
- A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

**Who we are**:
We are one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West.

The work we do goes beyond providing an essential public service. We also aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the natural environment.

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us You will have the opportunity to develop and progress your career, while also receiving health and wellbeing support.

We also continue to promote diversity and inclusion - with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

This is an exciting opportunity to join us and if you would like to be part of our journey, we would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to let us know about any additional support you may need.